Friday, September 20, 2019

Retards in the Government 120

It's your weekly compendium of foolishness and corruption and murder in Philippine politics. 



A 60-year-old village head in Cagayan province was shot and killed by two motorcycle-riding gunmen on Friday morning. 
Police Capt. Sharon Mallillin, Cagayan provincial police spokesperson, said Remegio Dela Cruz, village chair of Bugnay in Tuao town was declared dead on arrival at a hospital. 
Investigators said Dela Cruz was driving his car when he was attacked and killed by two unidentified assailants who wore jackets and helmets at 8:45 a.m.
The Inquirer stole my comment for their headline!  But what else can one say? These assassinations happen with such alarming regularity it's sad and ridiculous. Another LGU shot dead!
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1164336/poe-on-emergency-powers-it-cannot-be-a-shotgun-approach
“Let me stress that I am not against emergency powers. In fact, granting it does not solely rely on me. I am just one vote in the Senate. Like my colleagues, I have to be convinced why it is needed,” Poe, who chairs the public services committee, said in a statement. 
“For you to give something as immense as the emergency powers, you have to be sniper accurate, it cannot be a shotgun approach. It’s like giving a loaded gun to a child if they don’t have a plan,” she added. 
During Tuesday’s hearing of the committee into traffic problems gripping the Metro, Poe and Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade clashed over the need to grant the President emergency powers.
It is incredibly ridiculous how this woman has suddenly becoming a punching bag to bear the blame for all of the traffic woes in Manila.  There are laws in place to alleviate traffic but it seems no one has a plan and no one wants to use them. Not even Duterte.
Sen. Richard Gordon on Thursday tried to push the “theory” that Sen. Leila de Lima had used the good conduct time allowance law to make money from the New Bilibid Prison. 
Asked if it was established that De Lima got money through the GCTA, he only said that the opportunity was there. 
“It can be said, following a pattern of behavior that she accepts money that was said to be used for the campaign, I saw that there was really an opportunity, if you would raise funds, that you would bargain using the GCTA to get a bigger amount,” he said. 
Pressed if it was clear that De Lima benefited from the GCTA for sale scheme, he said it was not. But he insisted that his theory was plausible. 
“If you look at the theory, it sounds convincing enough to me,” he said.
No proof. No evidence. No nothing! But it sounds convincing to him. Talk about a way to deflect the heat off former BuCor Chief Faeldon!

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1164881/lacson-high-profile-inmates-control-bilibid
Senator Panfilo Lacson bared on Sunday that “high-profile” inmates are in control of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP). 
According to Lacson, anomalies in the prison have evolved over time where it has become almost “mafia-like” inside.
Pretty sure this is the way it has been for a long time.  Don't worry though. As soon as these Senate hearings are over we can all go back to forgetting about it.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1164903/camarines-sur-village-chief-survives-gun-attack
A village chief in Siruma, Camarines Sur survived a gun attack by a still unidentified armed man while he was inside his house on Saturday night, police said Sunday. 
Major Maria Luisa Calabuquib, spokesperson of Bicol police, said Romeo Decin, Barangay (village) Nalayahan chief, was inside his house when he was attacked at around 7:45 p.m. 
Witnesses told the police that the gunman, armed with a .45 caliber pistol, stood on the road and pelted with gunfire the house of the village chief. The victim was able to drop to the floor and avoid the shots, saying himself. 
The attacker immediately fled.
Good thing he survived but they will probably try to kill him again.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1164962/former-deped-official-found-guilty-of-graft
Former Department of Education (DepEd) Region 9 Director Walter Albos has been found guilty of graft for his alleged involvement in the irregular procurement of information technology (IT) equipment in 2008.

In a 21-page decision, the Sandiganbayan Third Division sentenced him to a prison term of six years and one month as minimum, and eight years as maximum.
6 - 8 years for not following the proper bidding procedure when procuring equipment.
Now for some news from the drug war.

Recycling of illegal drugs seized from buy-bust operations is still rampant, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Aaron Aquino told senators on Monday. 
During the budget hearing for PDEA’s proposed 2020 budget, Senator Franklin Drilon asked Aquino if drug recycling is “still an issue today.” 
“There are still reports, especially some law enforcement agencies, whenever we seize drugs,” the PDEA chief said. 
“I received some information from assets, from other law enforcement agencies themselves, nakakarinig ako… mga information na ‘Ganito ginagawa ni ganyan, ‘pag nago-operate, ganyan ang ginagawa nila.’ So, hearing these reports, it will just show that there’s still recycling of drugs,” he added. 
“I guess it’s still rampant…the recycling of drugs,” he further said. 
When operatives seize drugs, half would be surrendered while the rest would either be saved for future operations or be sold, according to the PDEA chief.
A Manila-based “drug queen” has been purchasing confiscated illegal drugs from law enforcers, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Aaron Aquino revealed Monday. 
Aquino disclosed the existence of the crook and the illicit modus during the Senate finance sub-committee hearing on PDEA’s proposed budget for 2020.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has affirmed that drug recycling has been happening and was being committed by some erring cops but quickly clarified it is “not a widespread thing” in the law enforcement institution. 
PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac also stressed that “majority” of anti-drug police officers are “professional and disciplined,” and that drug recycling was “not really” a practice among cops involved in anti-drug operations. 
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Aaron Aquino admitted before senators at a hearing earlier Monday that “there’s still recycling of drugs” and it remains “rampant.”
The PDEA Chief Aquino reveals that drug recycling is rampant and that Manila's drug queen is being provided drugs by PDEA and PNP officers. But PNP spokesman Banac comes along and contradicts Aquino and dismissed his testimony by saying the practice is not widespread. Always in a hurry to make every rogue cop a singular bad egg and an isolated incident.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1165129/town-councilor-wife-shot-to-death-in-samar
A town councilor and his wife were killed inside their house in a remote village in Paranas town in Samar province on Sunday morning. 
Claudio Gabiana, 55, a councilor of the nearby Jiabong town in Samar, and his wife, Asuncion, 56, were shot to death inside their house in Barangay Jose Roño, 36 kilometers away from the town proper of Paranas town. 
Based on their investigation, the gunman managed to sneak into the couple’s house using the kitchen door.
Another LGU shot dead.

Instead of housing convicted drug lords in New Bilibid Prison (NBP) where they could still enjoy special privileges just by bribing prison guards, they should instead be exiled to the West Philippines Sea to “survive on their own.” 
Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support (ACT-CIS) Party-list Rep. Niña Taduran proposed this on Monday, noting that while these convicts are in the national penitentiary, they are still able to continue their trade with a simple cellphone and by bribing the prison guards and officials. 
Taduran said they should instead be placed on an island in the West Philippine Sea where there is “no cellphone signal, no guards to bribe and no means of escape.” 
“There are numerous islets in the West Philippine Sea near Pagasa island being claimed by the Philippines, where someone with the ingenuity and resourcefulness of these convicted drug lords could survive on their own,” Taduran said in a statement. 
Since the country’s military is already patrolling the area, they would only need to make sure that no one leaves or enters these islands, she said. 
Aside from solving the problems hounding the NBP, Taduran said the proposal could also beneficial on another aspect: strengthening the Philippines’ claim over the West Philippine Sea. 
“The move would solve not only all the problems hounding the NBP at the moment, but also help the Philippine government assert its claim over these islands in the West Philippine Sea, by populating them with Filipino prisoners,” the party-list lawmaker said.
She added that all other prisoners in NBP might as well be transferred to other penal colonies and the New Bilibid complex be sold to the private sector, the proceeds of which could be used to fund the Duterte government’s “Build, Build, Build” program.

What a senseless and stupid proposal. Absolutely ridiculous. How about getting the guards to follow the rules at New Bilibid? 

Police are hot on the trail of a motorcycle riding-in-tandem who shot dead a village official here, who was heading to his farm on Sunday. 
Mayor Herlo Guzman Jr. has condemned the murder of Ben Candanganan, the village chief of Barangay Lower Paatan, whom he described as a mild-mannered leader and friend. 
Citing a report from the Kabacan police office, Col. Maximo Layugan, North Cotabato police director, said Candanganan, 43, was riding his motorbike by himself and heading to his farm when the gunmen, onboard a separate motorbike, shot him. 
“Candanganan sustained two gunshot wounds in the head and body,” Layugan said.
Another LGU shot dead but never fear! The PNP are hot on the trail of these motorcycle assassins.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1165337/duterte-meets-with-communist-party-of-china-leaders-in-malacanang
President Rodrigo Duterte welcomed Monday members of the Communist Party of China in Malacañang. 
In a press statement sent late Monday night, Malacañang said Duterte met with Chongqing party chief Chen Min’er and other members of Communist Party of China (CPC) in a courtesy call at the Palace’s Music Room. 
Government officials present during the meeting were  PDP-Laban President Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, Department of Energy Secretary and PDP-Laban Vice Chairman Alfonso Cusi, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority Secretary and PDP-Laban Vice President for International Affairs Raul Lambino, Department of Foreign Affairs Acting Secretary Jose Eduardo Malaya III, and Senators Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and Francis Tolentino.
At war with Pinoy commies but friends with real honest to God Maoists who's party policies literally killed millions (The Great Leap Forward) and who continue to stifle freedom and liberty with schemes like social credit. You cannot make this stuff up. This delegation also invited Duterte for a sixth visit to China.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1165474/senate-panel-ready-to-craft-report-on-dissolution-of-marriage
After conducting just one hearing on Tuesday, Senator Risa Hontiveros said her committee is now ready to come up with a report for the “dissolution of marriage” bill. 
“Yes, ready na po ako mag-draft ng committee report pending na lang ilan pang submissions tulad [ng] mula sa Department of Justice,” Hontiveros said after the hearing of the Senate committee on women, which she chairs. 
If the term “divorce” is contentious, then “dissolution of marriage” would be issued in the committee report. 
“Dissolution of marriage would be acceptable already to the advocates,” she said. 
“Sabi ng mga advocates, kung contentions ang salitang divorce, kung baga Shakespeare yan di ba? A rose by any other name.” 
“As long as saklaw ng dissolution of mariage bill yung mga grounds nila sa paghingi ng second chance then papasok sila sa ganitong proseso para lang makamit yang second chances na yan.” 
Even her colleagues in the Senate, she said, are more inclined to support the “dissolution of marriage.”
Political semantics. Divorce? No. Dissolution of marriage? Sure why not! Even though it's the same thing. Using language to disguise the truth is the height of falsehood.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1165735/go-on-new-bucor-chief-bantag-is-not-a-killer
“Bantag may be competent and honest,” Go, speaking partly in Filipino, told reporters at the Senate when asked if he had recommended for the post. “When I whispered ‘a killer,’ Panelo probably didn’t hear it.” 
“Bantag is not a killer,” he added. 
On Tuesday, Panelo announced that the President had appointed Bantag as BuCor chief amid controversies surrounding the controversial Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law that allowed for the release of over 1,900 heinous crime convicts. 
In 2017, Bantag was ordered arrested by the Parañaque City Regional Trial Court Branch 274 in connection with the 2016 explosion in the city jail that left 10 inmates dead. 
Asked if Bantag’s integrity was already questionable due to his legal cases, Go said in Filipino: “He’s the President’s choice… It’s the President‘s prerogative to pick who he wants to head a bureau or an agency of the government.,” Go said.
Bantag may not be a killer but it seems he is compromised (literally charged with 10 counts of murder) which means Duterte can make good use of him.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/17/19/duterte-admits-ordering-hit-on-ex-daanbantayan-mayor-he-tagged-as-drug-protector
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday revealed he ordered an ambush on former Daanbantayan, Cebu Mayor Vicente Loot last year. 
Loot, a former police general who Duterte named as a protector of drug rings, survived the May 2018 attack that left 4 others injured. 
"General Loot, p*t*ng*n* mo, nanalo pa na mayor. Inambush kita, animal ka, buhay pa rin," Duterte said in a speech during the oath-taking of newly appointed government officials at the Malacañang Palace. 
(General Loot, you even won as mayor. I ambushed you. You're an animal, you're still alive.) 
The Palace, meanwhile, was quick to clarify that Duterte was not serious when he made the claim, saying that it was made as an “expression of displeasure said in jest” about Loot’s alleged involvement in the drug trade.
Admitting you called a hit on someone who was almost killed is not a very funny joke. It's not even a joke at all. It's an admission of a crime or a false admission which only muddies the investigation.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1165849/panelo-blames-dutertes-misspeak-for-loot-ambush-remark
Malacañang denied Wednesday that President Rodrigo Duterte admitted his involvement in the ambush of former Daanbantayan, Cebu mayor Vicente Loot, noting that the Chief Executive only “misspeaks” the Filipino language which is not his native tongue. 
The Palace official said it is “absurd and silly” to conclude that Duterte is behind the ambush of Loot just because he “misspeaks the (F)ilipino language which is not his native tongue or first language.” 
“The Filipino nation by this time is already familiar and used to the language of the President who invariably uses a mixture of English, Bisaya (Cebuano dialect) and Filipino in communicating with the nation,” he noted.
First they said he was joking now they say he can't speak properly.  Which is it? They can never get their stories straight.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1165659/guanzon-to-sue-cardema-all-over-the-philippines-for-libel
Commission on Elections Commissioner Rowena Guanzon on Tuesday said she would file charges against Ronald Cardema “all over the Philippines” for his “libelous statements under oath.” 
Guanzon is referring to Cardema’s Notice of Withdrawal dated September 13 where he cited Guazon’s alleged “public harassment” as the reason behind his withdrawal of nomination as representative of pro-administration party-list Duterte Youth. 
Guanzon said she was “seriously aggrieved” by Cardema’s accusations and that he must be “taught a lesson that he cannot do this” to the Comelec or a commissioner of elections. 
“He will be facing several lawsuits, aside from libel cases we will sue him for damage in Cadiz City for destroying my good name. He’ll have to face trial in our own town. Kung sa mga Ilonggo ba ‘mereze,’ he deserves it,” the Comelec official said.
Taught a lesson? Did he really commit libel or do the just want to drag him through the mud and waste money and time with all these lawsuits?
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1166010/imee-marcos-good-for-up-to-teach-martial-law-but-get-our-viewpoint-too

Senator Imee Marcos said Wednesday it is good for the University of the Philippines (UP) to teach martial law to its students, but appealed that her family also be given a chance to share their side on their experiences during the era. 
(I think it’s good for it to be studied. But at least we should be given a chance to narrate what happened during martial law according to our knowledge. It’s important that the viewpoints of everyone are heard.) 
UP Diliman Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Evageline Amor earlier said a subject on martial law will be offered as a general subject at UP Diliman starting January 2020. The subject will be called “Philippine Studies 21: Wika, Panitikan, at Kultura sa Ilalim ng Batas Militar.” 
She then blamed the silence of her family in telling their side of the story on alleged human rights violations when martial law was declared by her father, former President Ferdinand Marcos in 1972. 
(I am trying to endure it. I hope others will also listen. Actually, I think it’s also the fault of our family because we were quiet and became tired to speak. We no longer share what we know. We no longer tell our story because it already became tiresome.) 
“What we have is personal knowledge, the experience and the truth that we own,” Marcos further explained, adding that she believes the UP will be fair in teaching martial law to its students.

The basics facts of what happened during martial law are known to all who care to look at them. Marcos was an autocrat, a tyrant, and a thief who stole millions. Lots of money has already been recovered and Imelda has even been convicted. There are not versions of truth. Truth is one. It is not surprising that Imee cannot handle the truth of marital law.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1166096/duterte-orders-total-bucor-revamp-due-to-corruption
“Yes, total revamp at the Bureau of Corrections,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo told reporters in Malacañang, referring to the President’s directive. 
“What he told me was that the guards there (BuCor) would be transferred to the provinces and the guards in the provinces would be assigned at the BuCor,” he added. 
The Senate justice committee has investigated the alleged irregularities in the BuCor, including corruption related to the good conduct time allowance (GCTA) law. 
“It’s total revamp. He’ll remove all of them there. Remove all the officials, the employees. That’s why it’s a total revamp,” Panelo said.
How is this a total revamp? Duterte is just shuffling people around. The corrupt guards will go to the provinces and bring their corruption with them and the provincial guards probably won't be psychologically equipped to handle the kind of criminals housed in New Bilibid and will likely succumb to the temptation of corruption.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1166017/pnp-to-impose-stiffer-sanctions-vs-cops-in-drug-recycling-scheme
“The Philippine National Police supports the desire of President Rodrigo Duterte to impose stiffer sanctions against PNP members found to be engaged in recycling of drug evidence,” PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said in a statement, reacting to Duterte’s latest order to kill rogue police officers involved in the illegal practice. 
Asked to specify what “stiffer penalties” could mean, Banac said it means PNP will “file criminal charges against police found engaging in drug recycling.” 
For Banac, recycling of drug evidence seized from police operations is “certainly worse” than the crime committed by arrested suspects. 
“Pilferage and recycling of drug evidence by members of law enforcement is certainly worse than the crime committed by drug traffickers and therefore should be treated differently, possibly with stiffer punishment,” he said.
Stiffer penalties means criminal charges? Are they not doing that already? Why not!?
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1080837

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents in Region 11 (Davao Region) arrested on Wednesday Davao del Sur 2nd District Board Member Arvin Malaza along with seven others in an entrapment operation at a radio station in Digos City. 
The seven persons who were not named by the NBI were all workers of the Kakampi Meuws Radio, which is owned by Malaza. 
In an interview, NBI-11 director Jonathan Balite told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that Malaza and other suspects were arrested after they confirmed the illegal resumption of operation of the Kabos Padatoon or the Kapa Community Ministry International Incorporated.
Arrested for trying to restart the Kapa Community ponzi-scheme.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/09/18/news/latest-news/duterte-orders-release-of-old-sickly-inmates/618168/
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the Department of Justice to “fast track” the release of sick and old inmates. 
Speaking to reporters in Malacañang, Duterte stressed that prisoners 70 years or above should be released. 
“I will ask the Secretary of Justice to fast track yung mga may sakit an at talagang matatanda na (those who are sick and really old) – 70 years old or 75 – hindi na makatakbo yan. Kung serial rapist, paputol na lang muna (they can no longer run. If a serial rapist, have it cut off),” Duterte said. 
“Wala na yan e. Lalo na ang mga 80s, what’s the use of keeping them there (They can’t do harm anymore, especially those in the 80s. What’s the use of keeping them there)?” he added.
The use of keeping them there is to serve out their punishment. How did we go from outrage over GCTA releases to not a peep over the release of prisoners just because they are old?
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1165922/enrile-wants-de-lima-roxas-barred-from-seeking-public-office-for-gcta-mess
Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said Wednesday that Senator Leila De Lima and former Senator Mar Roxas should be barred from seeking public office for the alleged irregularities in the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law. 
Enrile said there should be no confusion in the provisions of the Republic Act 10592 mandating the GCTA law as its Section 1 clearly states that heinous crime convicts are among those excluded from being released earlier than their prison sentence based on good conduct. 
“They should be disqualified forever from holding public office,” Enrile, who was Senate President when the GCTA was signed into law in 2013, told reporters at the Senate when asked about the liability of De Lima and Roxas. 
“Sila ang may kasalanan, sila ang gumawa eh (They are the ones at fault since they are the ones who made it). The people who are below there are [just] being guided. They are the Cabinet members. They should hold their mistakes,” he said.
Is Enrile in the running to be the king of hypocrites? This old man was Marcos' number one, is out on bail on the unbailable charge of plunder (due to age considerations), is still facing a trial over the PDAP mess, and he was the Senate President when this bill passed. If a bill passes and corrupt bureaucrats intentionally apply the law in a way it was not intended (releasing convicts of heinous crimes) then that is not the fault of the authors of the law.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1166367/duterte-pasig-river-can-no-longer-be-cleaned
Saying the Pasig River was “uncleanable,” President Duterte said on Tuesday that he was thinking of “removing” the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC), the body tasked to revive and clean the major waterway. 
“That Pasig, you can no longer clean it because we don’t have any zoning,” Mr. Duterte told new government appointees who had just taken their oath at Malacañang. 
He added: “Over the years, the waste of factories and houses all go into the Pasig River. How can you clean that?” 
Last year, the PRRC’s efforts to revive the once biologically dead river were recognized during the 21st International River Symposium held in Australia. 
The Pasig River was named winner of the first 2018 Asia RiverPrize, beating China’s Yangtze River. 
“[The] PRRC and its partners’ river restoration and management efforts have effectively brought the Pasig River back to life. These efforts have included delivering quality projects, programs, activities, and advocacies in easement recovery, riverbank development, waste and water quality management, and public awareness,” the International River Foundation said.
"How can you clean that?" Little by little over a long period of time as the PRRC has been doing since 1998. It's not clear if rehabilitation efforts will continue and the PRRC simply be transferred to the DENR but if Duterte says the river is uncleanable then his men will likely follow suit and stop any rehabilitation efforts.
Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Sexy Lady Cops and Silly Dancing Cops

In their battle against bad drivers and even badder criminals the PNP is breaking out some unique techniques.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1164826/siquijor-town-has-first-all-female-police-force-in-ph
A fifth-class municipality in the island province of Siquijor on Saturday became the first town in the country to have an all-female police force, the Philippine National Police said. 
Maria, a coastal municipality that is fast becoming a popular tourist destination for its white sand beaches and mystical folktales, took the government’s program of women empowerment one step further by setting up a police force entirely composed of female officers. 
“This move will strongly advance women empowerment in promoting public safety and security services at all levels of police units and offices in the region,” Police Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas, Central Visayas police director, said in a statement. 
“They were trained on driving, shooting, arresting techniques and other police operation and intervention procedures such as checkpoint, automated fingerprint identification system and first aid, among others,” she said. 
Representing Sinas at the event, Police Col. Ildebrandi Usana said the “Mariang Pulis” highlighted how women all over the world had proven to be among the most efficient members of any workforce. 
“Mariang Pulis, as a show window, will also tell the world that the PNP is a gender-friendly organization,” Usana said.
The picture above is not a picture of the all-female police force. That would be this picture which is also posted on the PRO7 Facebook page.


From their Facebook page we read the following.
PRO7 launches First All-Women Police Station in the province of Siquijor 
The Philippine National Police marks history with a game-changing reform on women empowerment. 
The Siquijor Police Provincial Office (SPPO) said it is named as the "Mariang Pulis" in Maria Municipal Police Station. Said police Station is presently operating in the Municipality of Maria in the provincial island of Siquijor. 
This maiden initiative in Central Visayas is backed by Regional Director, PRO7 PBGEN DEBOLD M SINAS. 
The women-dominated police station follows a rich history of the Municpality of Maria. Long before the Spaniards came to Siquijor, a settlement known as "Kangmaya", named after a famous woman, already existed. It was eventually renamed to "Maria" in honor of "Our Lady of Divine Providence" which became the town's Patron Saint. 
Maria is fifth-class municipality with a total land area of 53.37 sq. km, which constitutes to 15 percent of Siquijor's total land area. 
Prior to the launch, Maria Police Station was complimented by only six policewomen. PCOL ANGELA Q REJANO, Provincial Director of SPPO, profiled all the assigned policewomen in the province and selected those who will undertake a capacity development training. They were trained on driving, shooting, arresting techniques, and other police operation and intervention procedures such as checkpoint, Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) and First Aid, among others. Maria Police Station is now operating in full capacity with 21 total police strength, the ideal police force for a Class C municipality. 
"Having initiated this new concept of gender and developmen for policewomen in Siquijor, the Mariang Pulis signals the time to move forward in promoting the vision and mission of the PNP in creating an opportunity for women to strengthen their role jn the context of policing in the law enforcement pillar," said PCOL REJANO. 
The official launching of "Mariang Pulis" is now led by newly designated Chief of Police, PCPT JUDITH BESAS, equally capable of steering the police station to its heights.
https://www.facebook.com/PRO7PNP/posts/2723964934303182
Wow all these women are trained to shoot, arrest criminals, man a checkpoint, fingerprint, and render first aid...just like every other PNP officer!! This is nothing less than a PR stunt. A very foolish PR stunt at that. In the name of gender equality and empowerment the PNP has formed an all-female police squad. Not only is that purposively sexist as it excludes men but any man would easily be able to overpower these women when they attempt to arrest him. Men are stronger than women. Imagine these women trying to take down a strong male criminal. 

It's also not true that women have been "proven to be among the most efficient members of any workforce." The opposite is true which is why they are paid less and are in less positions of authority. Just recently a law was passed forcing employers to give them so many months of paid maternity leave. What a burden on any company that is, paying workers to not work just because they are females.

An all female business is also doomed to fail.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1168182/Catfights-handbags-tears-toilets-When-producer-launched-women-TV-company-thought-shed-kissed-goodbye-conflict-.html

The story in that article is hilarious. But maybe Filipinas are different? No. Women are the same the world over.

Traffic on EDSA is a nightmare. Bad drivers are much to blame which is why the PNP is deploying lady cops to patrol the roads. But not just any lady cops, "Girlfriend material."

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/09/15/1951890/edsa-traffic-hpg-deploys-girlfriend-material
The Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) is back on EDSA, with its armed teams seen to have a greater “intimidating factor” than unarmed traffic enforcers of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). 
If the intimidation doesn’t work, the HPG has also fielded 23 of its female police officers. And both the HPG and MMDA have admitted that looks played a key role in the deployment of what is called the “ladies’ strike force.” 
Asked what the term meant, MMDA traffic czar Edison Nebrija told “The Chiefs” last week on Cignal TV’s One News: “Girlfriend material.” 
Brushing aside warnings that he might be accused of being sexist, he said EDSA “is stressful enough,” and deploying “head turners” on EDSA could ease the tension during traffic apprehensions. 
He said the inclusion of female cops in the HPG’s traffic force is part of their gender equality program. 
This was corroborated by PNP-HPG spokesperson Lt. Col. Ritchie Claraval, who said drivers may avoid violating traffic rules if they see traffic-stopping women who look like models directing vehicular flow. 
“One of the drivers would say, ‘nakakahiyang mag-violate tayo, may mga magagandang babae pa man din diyan ng HPG,’” Claraval said. 
Nebrija admitted that armed police officers “have an intimidating factor. I agree that there’s an institutional respect for them. When you see a police officer on the road, riding a motorcycle or mobile, armed, motorists will say, ‘Ay pulis yan, sumunod tayo.’” 
The 23 patrolwomen were among a batch of about 40 who volunteered to be part of the traffic “strike force.” 
Among the requirements, Claraval said, was that they learn how to drive a motorcycle. He admitted that looks played a part in the selection, although he stressed that all female members of the HPG – about 100 – are good-looking. 
Describing the 23, Nebrija said, “They’re not just like any other police officers, they’re like models. They’re really pretty. They are really head turners.” 
“It’s more pleasing if somebody apprehending you has a pleasing personality. They’re a game changer, so to speak. Traffic in EDSA is stressful as it is already,” Nebrija said. 
Claraval chimed in: “We call them strike force because they have striking looks.”
Again another dog and pony show. The PNP says it's all about gender equality but then say these ladies were chosen because they look like models. No ugly girls need apply. How is that not sexist? Why would beautiful lady cops make drivers avoid violating traffic rules? It's a ridiculous claim.

These ladies will not be looking like models when they are on the job. With their white motorcycle helmets and blue uniforms they will look like cops and nothing else. But what if sexy models were out on patrol? Traffic would crawl as everyone slows down to get a look. The last thing EDSA needs is women who will turn heads and bring traffic to even more of a crawl for rubbernecking looky-loos.


Over in Cebu dancing cops are helping to not only direct the flow of traffic but also keep drivers entertained.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/256415/cebu-city-cops-battle-traffic-problems-with-dance-music
Dignos, a member of the of Cebu City Police Office-Traffic Patrol Group (CCPO-TGP), then starts managing the traffic flow, a tough job considering that the area is one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares. 
But Dignos is not your regular traffic police. 
His day’s work is not just about blowing the whistle and pointing which direction should the vehicles go to ensure a smooth-flowing traffic situation. 
Instead, the 37-year-old traffic police performs a dance routine for 15 to 30 minutes in one of Cebu City’s busiest intersections during peak hours. 
With funny dance steps and a pleasing personality, Dignos joins his fellow traffic police in fulfilling the mission of Police Colonel Gemma Vinluan, CCPO director, who spearheaded the launching of the “Dancing Cop” project last July 2019. 
Vinluan says the presence of dancing cops in the city’s busy streets sends a message that police personnel are friendly and approachable. 
Noting Cebu City’s notorious gridlock situations, Vinluan says the least that they can do is to make those who are stuck in traffic happy. 
“We can’t easily find solutions to the heavy traffic due to our limitations. [So our traffic police are here] even in a few minutes, to be the reasons for your smiles,” she tells CDN Digital. 
He performs his dance routine on peak hours, between 7 to 8 a.m., when monstrous traffic jams often happen in his work station, the intersection of Osmeña Boulevard and Colon Street. 
Private school teacher Louie Birondo says the presence of dancing cops on the city streets has two sides. 
While their presence entertains motorists who are stuck in traffic, Birondo says a dancing policeman does not solve a problem that involves a continuous line of vehicles blocking an entire network of streets that brings traffic to a standstill.
Thanks to the power of Google you can view the intersection of Osmeña Blvd. and Colon St. from the comfort of your own home. 


Link to streetview
Using the 360 view feature you can see that each intersection has traffic lights. So what is the problem? In Bacolod the only time cops are deployed to direct traffic is when the lights are not working or at heavy intersections where there are no lights. I don't live in Cebu nor am I familiar with their traffic problem but at an intersection like this I bet bad driving is much to blame as is the case across the nation. You know what I mean: not staying in your lane, dangerously overtaking, running red lights, slow tricycles, jeepnies stopping randomly etc., etc,

There is nothing wrong with cops directing the flow of traffic and even dancing while they do it. Obviously the nature of directing traffic is a kind of dance since you are waving your hands and spinningg around to face each lane. But the reasoning of Cebu City PNP to form a "Dancing Cop" project to put a smile on your face is stupid. Why does everything in the Philippines have to be about entertainment or looking good at the expense of utility? 

Pretty funny that PNP Col. Gimma Vinulan who created the "Dancing Cop" project says: “We can’t easily find solutions to the heavy traffic due to our limitations." Have they even tried? Has the DOTr tired? Has City Hall studied the problem and issued recommendations?

Probably not. Probably no one has offered up any viable solutions to control the flow of traffic so until that day comes it's dancing cops to put a smile on your angry face.
Posted by at 1 comment:
Labels: ,

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

2019: A Christmas Odyessy

Across the mall, at all three of the major entrances, mysterious giant red monoliths suddenly appeared. This trinity of silent sentinels greeted each customer with the same message, "99 Days til Christmas 2019."




Slowly the days will roll by 98, 97, 96 until the revelation of Christmas 2019. What will happen to these monoliths when that day comes? Will they disappear back into the void? What is inside of them but the totality of all Christmas knowledge? Surely one has but to reach out and touch them to know.


And upon touching be filled with all the Yuletide wisdom the universe has to offer thus transforming and evolving into the Christmas Star Child.

Posted by at 2 comments:
Labels:

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Martial Law: New Terror Norm

Last month the NICA (National Intelligence Coordinating Agency) predicted there would be more suicide bombings occurring in the Philippines.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/704458/nat-l-intel-agency-sees-more-suicide-bombings-happening-in-phl/story/
"Almost every six months we had one incident. We pray that none will follow but we are sure that there will be," NICA Director-General Alex Paul Monteagudo told GMA News. 
"The terrorists are training and recruiting children as young as 10, 12 years old," he added.  
National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said that there are vulnerable sectors that must be carefully guarded so that they would not be recruited by terrorists. 
These include students attending madrasah or Islamic schools, religious leaders, overseas Filipino workers, prisoners, and even netizens.
Less than a month later, 26 days to be exact, another suicide bomber attempted to cause damage to a military base in Sulu.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/239696-military-says-female-suicide-bomber-sulu-blast-abu-sayyaf
The woman who self-detonated as she tried to attack a military checkpoint in Indanan, Sulu, on Sunday, September 8, was from a pro-Islamic State (ISIS) faction of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), said the region’s military commander. 
“For sure, she was with the group of [Hatib Hajan] Sawadjaan, because only Sawadjaan maintains bombers among the sub-leaders under Radullan Sahiron, who is the overall head of the ASG in Sulu,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana said in a mix of English and Filipino on Monday, September 9. 
Sawadjaan is “ISIS-inclined,” Sobejana added, but is somehow held back by Sahiron, who “does not want ISIS to prevail over their organization.” 
Sawadjaan has earlier been described as the "head of ISIS in the Philippines" by Interior Secretary Eduardo Año. 
On Sunday at around 4pm, the “Caucasian-looking” female attacker was spotted walking from the Philippine Army 35th Infantry Battalion’s Kilometer 4 detachment to the next checkpoint, Kilometer 3, in Barangay Kajatian, Indanan, Sulu. 
A caucasian-looking female. That means likely one of the 60 foreign terrorists said to be roaming around Mindanao. Now there are only 59? After every attack comes the analysis of what it means for the future. Westmincom Chief Lt. General Sobejana thinks the fact that the lady was alone means terror groups in Mindanao are losing popular support and weakening.

(They do not have popular support anymore. No support from the community. In fact, our Tausug brothers and sisters are furious at what these terrorist groups are doing. With the loss of popular support, their maneuver space has been reduced. That’s why if you look at it, before it was in pairs. Now, it was just one [attacker].) 
Security expert and analyst Rommel Banlaoi has a completely different take.
At the forum, Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research chairman Rommel Banlaoi warned that terrorism is an evolving threat that will linger in the Philippines for the foreseeable future. 
Jihadist groups in Mindanao will find ways to recruit members and gain firepower, Banlaoi added, and they will want to target Metro Manila. 
“They will still continue to mount violent incidents. And this is the current trend right now, the future direction of terrorists will be more and more carrying out suicide terrorism,” he said.
How is it that the AFP and Banlaoi continually get different results in their analysis? Here he is commenting about the new BARMM in the aftermath of the Sulu cathedral bombing in January.
Terrorism expert Rommel Banlaoi of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research, said the peace deal was not a "magic pill that can give a panacea to the multifaceted problems of armed conflicts." 
He said challenges will come from local politicians and armed groups opposed to the new Bangsamoro law.  
Banlaoi warned that the new law could be used as leverage by the so-called Islamic State to attract foreign fighters to come to Mindanao to oppose the "cooptation of the infidels."
https://www.ucanews.com/news/southern-philippines-on-full-alert-after-deadly-bomb-blast/82978 
Very different from the AFP who thinks the BARMM will bring peace. While the AFP was denying the presence of ISIS in the Philippines back in 2016 Banlaoi was warning that they posed a real threat.

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/135083/analysts-isis-a-real-threat-to-ph
Banlaoi added that the Philippines is vulnerable to ISIS recruitment as it has “one of the longest-running Muslim rebellion” and the Abu Sayyaf has already established “notoriety.” 
The military has repeatedly denied the presence of ISIS in the Philippines, dismissing it as a mere propaganda. 
Only this week, AFP spokesperson Col. Restituto Padilla said that there is “no credible, verified and direct connection” to the ISIS up to this time but they continue to monitor and conduct focused military operations. 
ISIS influence in the Philippines will pose “imminent threat to the country” and will also affect regional security, Banlaoi said.
History has proven Banlaoi right and the AFP wrong. Why is this so? A billion peso intelligence fund and the AFP always gets it wrong. Perhaps the AFP had better start listening to him.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/09/13/suicide-terrorism-in-ph-on-the-rise-security-expert/
The successive incidents of suicide bombing in the country is proof that suicide terrorism is the newest face of threat in the Philippines and everybody should do their part to counter it, a security expert warned on Friday. 
This could be attributed mainly on the “increasing” influence of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) to local extremist and terror groups in the country, said Rommel Banlaoi, chairman of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terorrism (PIPVTR), an independent organization created to better integrate peace studies with research on political violence and terrorism. 
“I consider it on the rise because of the frequency of suicide terrorist attacks in the southern Philippines,” Banlaoi said in a television interview over ANC. 
He enumerated the four incidents of suicide bombing that happened in the past 14 months: the Lamitan City bombing in July 2018; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cathedral bombing in Jolo, Sulu in January 2019; the Indanan, Sulu bombing in June 2019 involving the first known Filipino suicide bomber, Norman Lasuca; and the most recent one, the bombing in Indanan, Sulu last September 8 involving a female terror suspect. 
Notably, the last three suicide bombings happened in this year alone. 
With this, Banlaoi enjoined all sectors to contribute in the fight against the rise of suicide terrorism in the Philippines. 
“It cannot be done through military or law enforcement measure alone. It needs a narrative that will destroy the idea of suicide terrorism as an act of martyrdom,” he said. 
In the academe, Banlaoi said it is called deradicalization or counter-radicalization. 
“Now, our government has initiated a program to counter that kind of idea. The Philippine government developed the National Action Plan to Prevent and Counter Violent Extremism,” he said. 
Banlaoi said such action plan entails pursuing various non-military measures in order to address the underlying conditions that compel people to commit acts of suicide terrorism. It includes providing vulnerable and marginalized sectors with opportunities such as livelihood, education, and promoting the culture of non-violence, spreading the culture of peace, promoting the idea of acceptance, and religious tolerance.
Would this National Action Plan to Prevent and Counter Violent Extremism be the same as the whole of nation approach? Would the plan include building roads?

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1080412
Many village chiefs in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, are pushing for the building of more roads to benefit the poor, usher in development, and help end insurgency. 
This, as the provincial government embarked on a multi-million-peso farm-to-market road project connecting Barangays Hilaitan and Trinidad in Guihulngan, a city besieged by the communist insurgency problem. 
For farmers in Barangay Malusay, genuine land reform is what they need, as well as electrification in the sitios or sub-villages, according to village chief Vicky Hinabe. 
Livelihood projects, swine dispersal, water system, irrigation and opening of new roads are being requested by Planas village chief Randy Flores. He confirmed the presence of insurgents in his barangay and requested for the Army’s presence there. 
All of these concerns are being noted down by the concerned agencies, which are expected to take action as part of the ongoing efforts to end the insurgency via the NOTF-ELCAC.
Will more roads and electrification really end the insurgency? Do areas with roads have less insurgents than those without roads? More importantly why haven't LGUs built these areas up already? It is nothing to be applauded that they are developing these poor rural areas because they think it will end the NPA insurgency. This should have been done long ago. As it is millions of Filipinos are living without electricity.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/08/04/1940437/dark-ages-13-million-pinoys-still-living-without-electricity
More than two million families consisting of 13 million Filipinos remain literally in the dark as they are still without electricity, the head of the Party-list Coalition in the House of Representatives said yesterday. 
Despite efforts by rural electric cooperatives and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to bring power to remote areas, Rep. Mikee Romero of 1-Pacman said the government’s rural electrification program has not reached 19,000 barangays nationwide.
If building roads and installing electricity won't end the insurgency there is always pure, brute force and all out war.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1080186
The all-out-war against armed rebels by the Duterte administration will continue until all members of the New People's Army (NPA) have surrendered, President Rodrigo Duterte said. 
"I have ordered the Armed Forces and the police to go attack full-scale. Kung hindi natin maubos ito, sa panahon ko (We’ll see if we can wipe them out in my time). And looking at the political horizon there, kung sinong mag-presidente (regardless of who becomes President), I’m so pessimistic," he said during a speech at the 2019 Outstanding Government Workers Awards rites Tuesday. 
Compared to the previous administration's call to war against insurgency, Duterte said his directive to the security forces would be different. 
"(In the past) when they are already in hot water, binibitawan sila. Nilalaglag sila. Mismo 'yung mga bunganga diyan sa Congress, nilalaglag sila. Dito sa akin, sige, (They are being dropped. Those mouths in the Congress are pinning them down. As for me, it's fine,) you just do your duty in accordance with law. Ako ang mag-amin sa lahat (I will admit everything). I take full responsibility," he stressed. 
"Gusto ko kung maari lang, tapusin ko sa panahon ko (If possible, I want all of this done in my time)," he added.
All out war in 2017, no all out war in 2018, and now all out war once more in 2019 and until the end of Duterte's term apparently unless Duterte changes course again. The AFP and PNP are up for whatever he throws their way. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1080198
The military and the police on Wednesday vowed to undertake relentless efforts in compliance with President Rodrigo Duterte's order to wage an all-out war against the communist terrorist group New People's Army (NPA). 
"We are engaging the New People’s Army all out -- employing and utilizing all its resources in a focused, surgical, and deliberate lethal and non-lethal operations towards the decisive defeat of the communist terrorists," Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in a message to reporters. 
He said the AFP is compliant with the directive of the President and the commander-in-chief, who is calling for military and other government agencies to decisively end the NPA threat once and for all.
Since the AFP keeps on with the same old tactics against the NPA why should anyone think they will succeed? Since the AFP keeps downplaying the threat of ISIS why should anyone think they will meet their goal of defeating Abu Sayaaf by the end of the year? While the AFP says ISIS is weakening, even calling the latest suicide bombing a desperate act, the rest of the world does not see it that way.

https://www.asiatimes.com/2019/09/article/suicide-bombs-new-terror-norm-in-the-philippines/
A new norm? Even the Palace has expressed concern.
“Anything that will show a rise in terrorism in any area of this country is always a matter of concern and we hope our security will improve more on their devices to stop this,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1822462/Manila/Palace-worries-over-suicide-bombing-in-Sulu
Duterte himself has said he is scared just thinking about ISIS.


What happened to his confidence in the AFP, which he once called the best army in the universe, to defeat ISIS in the Philippines?

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,

Monday, September 16, 2019

Manila's Traffic Problem: Let EDSA Rot

I do not live in Manila. I do not know the pain of EDSA. Thank goodness. Traffic is bad enough here I can't imagine EDSA. But just because I do not live in Manila does not mean I cannot comment about what is happening up there. This blog is called Philippinefails and the handling of EDSA and traffic in the Philippines in general has been nothing short of a spectacular failure.

Where to start? During the American occupation (yes traffic was bad then)? During Marcos' era? With Grace Poe? It's funny how she has suddenly become the punching bag of the country and forced to shoulder the blame of the traffic problem as if there is no Department of Transportation who has plenty of legal tools to deal with the issue.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1163218/metro-manila-traffic-is-poes-legacy-says-duterte
Duterte's supporters followed his line and all across social media people are blaming Poe for not granting him emergency powers and calling her a useless trapo (traditional politician).  Really there is no single person to blame for Manila's traffic problems but it is always easy and comforting to scapegoat someone.  During the presidential campaign Duterte had several solutions to solve traffic in Manila none of which had to do with granting him emergency powers.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/114450-rodrigo-duterte-metro-manila-traffic-transportation
Duterte also said traffic on EDSA and everywhere else in the metro is because of “daily transactions of motor vehicles” and policies like number coding which merely encourage rich families to buy more cars. 
To ease traffic jams, he said he would improve public transportation by buying 30 or 50 more train carriages. This way, people would not have to endure long lines. 
If that’s not enough, he has previously said that he intends to put up a new train line that will run along Pasig River, the only thoroughfare not embroiled in rights-of-way claims. 
But for these major overhauls, he said the government would need money. 
He proposes borrowing P60 billion from another country or international agency. 
“I will not hold the money. I will create a high commission. They will be the ones to handle the money,” he said.  
Borrowing money for government projects is nothing new. He said the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr also borrowed some money from foreign entities. 
“Maghiram ako ng pera kagaya kay Marcos. Panahon ni Marcos napaka-ganda ng bayang ito, kaya lang, Martial Law (I will borrow money like Marcos. In Marcos’ time, this country was beautiful, but Martial Law happened.),” he said.
More train carriages and more train lines and borrowing lots of money! Just a few days later Duterte's running mate had this to say about solving Manila's traffic problems.
They may differ in their approach to certain issues, but presidential contender Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and his running mate, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, see a common solution to Metro Manila’s worsening traffic problem: a decentralized city and the transfer of government headquarters to outlying areas of the capital. 
“For the longest time, the drive for development [has been] mainly focused on the National Capital Region (NCR), leaving other regions to fend for themselves. This is not sustainable nor equitable,” Cayetano told Inquirer reporters and editors during a recent visit to the newspaper’s Makati City office. 
“The NCR is perceived by many as the only place where there are real economic opportunities, [so] people unnecessarily flock to the region, creating problems such as traffic, unemployment and housing woes,” the senator said. 
“But if development [is] spread evenly to the regions, we can solve these problems,” he added.
Decentralising and moving the government outside of Manila. Sounds optimistic right? Of course it does that is how politicians get elected. Soon enough however Duterte was clamouring for emergency powers to fix Manila's traffic problems. But it was the MAP (Management Association of the Philippines) who first called for the declaration of a transportation crisis and the bestowal upon Duterte of emergency powers to fix the situation.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/790525/give-duterte-emergency-powers-to-solve-metro-traffic
CITING a six-hour commuting “kalbaryo” for Metro Manila commuters, the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) has reiterated its call for President-elect Rodrigo Duterte to declare a traffic crisis so that he could be given emergency powers to solve the problem. 
Last month, the group highlighted the need for an immediate solution to the traffic problem in the metropolis. It noted that traffic congestion was continuously affecting businesses, the quality of life and the economy. 
“There must be an issuance of an executive order to declare that a transportation and traffic crisis exists in Metro Manila and, with the concurrence of Congress, secure emergency powers for the President to address the crisis by mobilizing all government resources and undertaking necessary measures unhampered by appointment, procurement, budgetary and Commission on Audit regulations during its presidency,” MAP said in a statement. 
Yap said that the emergency powers may last for a limited time like a maximum of two years so that the traffic crisis could be immediately solved. The group has also suggested some solutions to the so-called “carmageddon” in Manila like the construction of steel bridges on intersections and the appointment of a traffic czar.
Just exactly how would emergency powers fix the traffic problem?
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/791556/edsa-traffic-jams-rody-exec-eyes-extra-powers
The additional powers will allow the national government to secure property and right of way within private villages, as well as supersede local government ordinances and temporary injunction against acts that would facilitate lighter traffic flow in the metropolis, he said. 
Specifically, terminals of public utility vehicles as well as ambulant vendors will be removed near highways, while a strict no-parking policy will also be implemented along major roads. 
Also, the Duterte administration will seek to direct procurement instead of protracted bidding for projects aimed at easing traffic, Tugade said, without elaborating. 
He said the powers that the incoming administration sought would neither be confiscatory nor unreasonable, as they would ensure just compensation and relocation for affected entities. 
There will also be oversight powers for Congress and the Supreme Court to check on the executive’s additional power to avoid its exercise “capriciously and arbitrarily.”
These powers will allow the government to take private property and override local ordinances but that is not confiscatory because there will be just compensation for those who's land is taken. That is called eminent domain and it doesn't always work out so good. In addition they will be moving vendors and cars will not be allowed to park along major roads. But those actions should be enforced already. There is no need for emergency powers to enforce no-parking rules and moving roadside vendors. Most notably under these powers projects will be procured and the bidding process by-passed which is a doorway for corruption. Non-bidding on projects is, it seems, the number one reason LGU's get suspended by the Ombudsman.

Duterte was not given these powers and instead of attempting to solve the problem without them he said, "Let EDSA rot."

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/21/19/duterte-let-edsa-rot
"Here comes a lady, atribida tawag ko diyan eh (I call it too eager), it's good to be honest, it's good to be a crusading public official, no doubt about it you will be appreciated. Pero kung sumobra ka (But if you go too far) and you think all elected public officials are corrupt... eh 'di wag na (never mind), let EDSA rot there," he said.
Duterte is offended that Poe thinks he is corrupt which means he misses the point entirely which is that those powers necessarily open the doors to corruption and the reality is corruption does happen. Also he seems to forget that he had proposed solutions to traffic without requesting emergency powers. Instead of working with what he has he says to hell with it showing once again his penchant for destruction if he does not get his way.  See the International Criminal Court withdrawal.

It is my belief that nothing in the Philippines changes and that belief is borne out by the facts of history. The traffic problem in Manila, and throughout the country, is a culmination of years of neglect and mismanagement that first reared its ugly head over a century ago. The Wood-Forbes Mission report of 1921 has much to say about traffic and infrastructure in the Philippines.
In the matter of public works, your mission has to report both favorably and unfavourably. 
The government and people of the islands realize the value and necessity of public works and large appropriations from current revenues have been made annually for such objects as the construction of roads, bridges, irrigation systems, school houses, markets, port works, and artesian wells among others. We find, however, an undue increase in the cost of public works, due in many instances necessitated the purchse of an equipment ordinarily furnished by contractors. There has also bben a deterioration in the quality of the work performed in this service. We find also a lack of competent supervision. 
On the other hand, there has been a great deal of excellent work done. The director, a Filipino, is a man of unusual capacity and foresight and he impresses the memebers of the mission most favourably. 
An important proportion of all revenues of the government is allocated to public works, and in the opinoin of this mission this proprotion should be increased. 
There are now 2,920 miles of roads rated as first-class in the islands and 7,500 permanamnt bridges and culverts. The standard, however, of first-class roads has been lowered and we found many roads rated as first-class which are not so. There was an earnest effort made by the government to hurry through deferred repairs in order to prepare the roads for inspection. 
During earlier preiods a ssytem of road constuction and maintenance was adopted and consistenetly followed. All structures on the first-class roads were reinforced concrete and a standard work system of road constucion adopted suited to the traffic. Although the work progressed slowly, it was thoroughly well done, adequate provision being made for constant maintenenace by a force of laborers. The result was the road service reached a high degree of perfection, comparing favourably with the roads of any other country and much better then most roads in America. The terrific force of the torrential rainfall in these islands made these precautions necessary. 
We have to record that this system has not been consisntently maintained; the roads are falling into disrepair, some are impassable, and the system of maintenance is carried on spasmodically. In certain districts money has been spent for new roads instead of keeping up the old ones, which is unwise. We also regre to say that a tendency has crept in to revert to the old practice of building bridges and other structures, of wood, and a uniform policy of permanent construction has not been maintained. This practice, in the long run, is poor enconomy. Heavy trucks have been purchased for carrying passengers and freight, and regualr routes have been established on the highways. These trucks, in some cases, are much heaveir than the roads were designed to carry, and much of the deterioration noted is attributable to this fact. The maintenance service should be restored to old standards and the weight of the roads regualted, and standard sections strengthened to enable the use of heavier vehicles. The roads are, at first sight, god at the present time, but a great proporotion of the wearing surface has been worn off without replacement. 
In the Mountain Province and non-Christian Provinces we find that the service of mainting the roads and trails has been neglected, but it is believed that a better organization can remedy thse defects without the ncessity of additional revenues.
Wood-Forbes Mission Report, pgs 39-41
Granted there is nothing in this report about Manila traffic in general or EDSA which was not built until 1940. But in this we do see the trend of poor road maintenance which plagues the Philippines unto this day. A lack of keeping up with repairs, lowering of standards, and heavy trucks which ruin the roads on which they drive.

As far as EDSA goes throughout the years many have offered various solutions. The most notable solution has been an increase in the quality of public transportation. The comparison of Manila with Hong Kong and Singapore is inevitable because all three cites are in the same geographic area and all three were destroyed to various degrees in World War 2 but only Manila is still in a state of backwardness.  The public transport systems in Singapore and Hong Kong are world class. Perhaps the biggest difference between Manila and the other cites is that Manila's rail system is 100% above ground and therefore not easily accessible. There are also no vendors and beggars and street kids commandeering these places as happens with the LRT in Manila.
Stations also appear undersized, compared to those in other large Asian cities. They do not allow for very long trains and usually have only one exit, unlike, for example, Chinese metro systems with multiple exits. Access to LRT 1 and MRT 3 stations is often difficult. They are located above ground with many steps to climb, while vendors and begging children use some of the steps.
There are no easy solutions to the EDSA traffic problem. That should be self-evident. Duterte stormed into office saying he would stop crime and corruption and drugs within 6 months. He said he would fix Manila's traffic problems. His followers believe him but both claims are without merit and not realistic. Perhaps he could start the ball rolling on real reform but not with an attitude of "Let EDSA rot" because he has not been granted autocratic powers.
Posted by at 3 comments:
Labels:

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Picture of the Week: Wise Buy

Rather the being a store Wise Buy is a brand of cheap products available in the Philippines. Does their logo look familiar to you?


It's the Best Buy logo!


This is of course not the first time or the last time a Filipino business has stolen the logo of a popular American business. But this is the first time I have seen such a use of a logo at the mall. Quite cheeky of them. Surely any one familiar with Best Buy who has visited this country and seen this logo has laughed out loud at the brazen and silly theft of Best Buy's logo.
Posted by at No comments:
Labels:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)