Coronavirus Lockdown: Zombie Apocalypse, Food Supplier Wins, and More!

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

The latest pandemic-era court case resulted in Philippine Nutri-Foods Corporation winning a P12.73 million judgement against the Department of Social Welfare and Development Mimaropa for delivering nutripacks to four provinces. 

https://www.rappler.com/philippines/luzon/food-supplier-wins-claim-vs-dswd-mimaropa/

A supplier contracted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Mimaropa office won a P12.73-million claim for food deliveries made during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission on Audit (COA) ruled.

The COA granted the petition filed by the Philippine Nutri-Foods Corporation (PNFC), saying it won the bidding on July 15, 2020 for the supply and delivery of “nutripacks” to four provinces — Romblon, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, and Palawan — which were under community quarantines, or lockdowns during the first months of the pandemic.

PNFC delivered P9.76-million worth of nutripacks to Romblon, P1.22 million to Oriental Mindoro, P873,915 to Puerto Galera, P761,040 to Marinduque, and P112,710 to Palawan.

To support its claim, the PNFC submitted copies of various documents such as the notice of post qualification, notice of award, contract, performance bond, purchase order, notice to proceed, sales invoice, and collection receipts.

While DSWD Mimaropa did not object to the claim, it said that it acted as only the recipient and facilitator of the Supplemental Feeding Program. It added that the PNFC submitted the claim late, and there was a shortage of cash available to pay them.

The COA said that there was no question that PNFC was entitled to compensation since it accomplished its obligations by completing deliveries at the time they were expected. It also noted that neither the validity of the contract, nor the completion of the delivery was being challenged.

“PMFC complied with its obligation to deliver the food items as shown in the sales invoice and delivery Receipts. Thus, it is clearly established that PNFC is entitled to be paid….inasmuch as it would unjustly enrich the DSWD RO IV-B (Mimaropa Regional Office) at PNFC’s expense if the obligation to pay is not settled,” the COA said.

“Notably, the only reason for its non-payment of which PNFC has no control or participation is that the claims were not considered in the request for cash allocation; thus, leaving the available cash insufficient to pay the approved disbursement vouchers,” the commission added.

DSWD Mimaropa says the claim was filed late and they had no money to pay them. Both are bad excuses. They did the job and they should get paid. Why would the DSWD contract the job if they did not have the money to pay? 

The online gaming sector is thriving amidst the pandemic recovery.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/10/02/tmt-newswire/pr-newswire/philippine-online-gaming-sector-thrives-amid-pandemic-recovery/1977735

As the global pandemic recedes, the Philippine online gaming sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, a recent study by 188BET has found. Shifts in consumer behavior, economic recovery, and a surge in mobile gaming have all fueled this expansion. With advancing technologies and changing preferences, the industry is poised for sustained growth in the future.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated the rise of online gaming. Lockdowns and social distancing measures led people to digital platforms for social interaction and entertainment. Online gaming quickly became a popular, safe option for staying connected while remaining at home.

This trend resulted in a surge of new players, pushing operators to innovate with new games and improved user experiences. The outcome was a sharp rise in user engagement and revenue for the online gaming industry, as people sought ways to enjoy immersive entertainment from home.

The pandemic also drove a fundamental shift in consumer behavior toward digital entertainment. More people than ever before turned to online gaming for fun, leading to an expanded audience that includes individuals who had not previously engaged with digital gaming.

Players now seek more interactive and immersive experiences, prompting platforms to adopt technologies like live streaming, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR). These enhancements are shaping the future of online gaming, appealing to a growing and diverse player base.

The online gaming industry has played a critical role in the Philippines'economic recovery. The surge in demand for digital gaming generated substantial revenue, supporting sectors such as technology, entertainment, and hospitality.

Moreover, the industry has created thousands of jobs in areas like game development, IT support, marketing, and customer service, which have been crucial in helping the nation recover from the economic impacts of the pandemic. Increased tax revenues from gaming operators have also bolstered government efforts to fund public services and infrastructure.

The Philippine online gaming industry is set for continued expansion, driven by the ongoing rise in mobile gaming and evolving consumer preferences. As the sector continues to innovate, with AR and VR leading the charge, it will need to balance growth with regulatory compliance and responsible gaming practices to ensure long-term success.

I'm pretty sure this is. paid ad by 1888BET disguised as news but it's still noteworthy. 

The pandemic brought the inner crazy in a lot of people. One of those crazies was Bishop Rod Cubos. He declared the vaccine would bring about a zombie apocalypse and he claimed Nostradamus had predicted it. Now he is running for Mayor of Davao.

https://www.rappler.com/philippines/elections/anti-vaxx-preacher-zombie-apocalypse-runs-davao-mayor/

Rodolfo Cubos, a Davao-based preacher who once stirred a public scare with his anti-vaccine sermons during the COVID-19 pandemic, has now set his sights on local politics. 

Cubos, the leader of the Christ the Healer International Missions Movement (CTHIMM), became the first to officially enter the mayoral race in Davao City. Cubos filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) on Saturday, October 5, a move seen as a challenge to the city’s entrenched political powers.

Known to his followers as “Bishop Rod,” Cubos is campaigning under the promise of a “bag-ong Davao” (new Davao), a slogan resonating with his calls for change in the city’s leadership. 

His COC-filing was marked by fanfare, with his followers clad in violet shirts gathering at Magsaysay Park, chanting his name and calling for change in Davao.

Cubos gained public attention in 2021 when he warned of a zombie apocalypse as part of his broader opposition to COVID-19 vaccinations. As the government pushed its inoculation campaign, Cubos became a vocal critic, claiming the vaccines posed spiritual as well as physical dangers.

“Ayaw mo pagdawat (Don’t get jabbed…) It will not only endanger your body but your soul as well,” he preached in a video that quickly spread across social media platforms.

Cubos’ preaching included apocalyptic visions, framed as biblical prophecy, with an overlay of Nostradamus-inspired predictions. He warned that vaccinations would bring about the extermination of two generations and lead to the rise of zombies, a scenario he claimed was foretold in the 16th century.

Despite the outlandish nature of his claims, his message resonated with a portion of his followers. His doomsday rhetoric became a viral topic, though it quickly turned into fodder for online jokes.

Now, Cubos has turned his pulpit into a political stage, carrying the same fervor into his mayoral bid. 

Also of great interest his Cubo's ties to Timothy Jay Schwab of The God Culture who promotes a false history of the Philippines. What a fitting friendship.

Inflation has finally sunk to pre-pandemic levels. 

https://business.inquirer.net/483770/ph-wins-battle-vs-inflation

The Philippines may now declare victory in its long and painful fight against inflation after price growth last month eased to a four-year low, helping create the perfect economic condition for gradual interest rate cuts.

“Last time inflation was this low, the Philippines was in lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Aris Dacanay, economist at HSBC Global Research, said of the lower-than-expected inflation in September.

“It almost feels too good to be true,” Dacanay added. “But we think the September CPI (consumer price index) marks the day that the BSP’s inflation battle is finally over—all because of a mix of both hard work and luck.”

Latest data show inflation softened to 1.9 percent in September, coming in below market expectations and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) own forecast range of 2 to 2.8 percent for the month.

That's nice but we are still feeling the crunch of higher prices. Where is the real world application?

With the pandemic settling down (isn't it over??) Japanese students and teachers are travelling to the Philippines to learn English.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/10/07/japan/society/study-abroad-philippines/

As the COVID-19 pandemic settles down, more Japanese people are going abroad to study.

Some 64,000 people went overseas to study last year, doubling from a year before and recovering to roughly 80% of prepandemic levels.

Asian countries are eager to attract such people, as popular destinations for studying abroad shift away from Western countries amid rising prices and the weak yen.

In August, the Philippines’ Department of Tourism organized a tour to allow high school teachers in Japan to visit the country.

“Everyone, please imagine yourselves being students studying abroad,” said a teacher from Howdy English Academy, an English-language school attached to a hotel in the Philippines’ Cebu island.

One-on-one mock lessons were held, with around 10 teachers from high schools in Fukuoka, Yamaguchi and Hiroshima prefectures invited by the Philippines' Department of Tourism serving as students.

The lessons were taught by Filipino teachers who graduated from a university in the Philippines majoring in education and obtained a professional teaching certificate.

The school offers courses of up to eight weeks with classes five days a week, and the shortest course — one-week — is priced at hundreds of thousands of yen.

“The price is about half the amount required for studying in the United States, whose programs are mainly group lessons,” a staff member from Howdy English Academy said. “Even with the shortest course, you can spend days immersed in an English-only environment, something you can’t experience in Japan.”

The tour was organized to offer teachers involved in planning school trips and study-abroad programs first-hand experience.

People studying at Howdy stay at a hotel close to where the school is located. They can enjoy shopping and go swimming in the sea on weekends. The school accepts not only high school students but also working adults, parents and children.

The tour’s participants also visited another English-language school and a hospital and received explanations on living costs and medical services available in the area.

Some participants asked questions on security issues and commuting methods.

“It was good that we could see for ourselves” emergency response and medical services, said one of the participants who in the past accompanied students studying abroad and had trouble taking care of a student who fell sick.

According to a survey conducted on 40 study-abroad agencies who are members of the Japan Association of Overseas Studies (JAOS) in Tokyo, the number of students going to North America or Oceania to study in 2023 was less than 80% of the figure in 2019.

On the other hand, those who went to study in countries in Asia such as the Philippines and Malaysia in 2023 rose 10% from 2019. By region, Asia was the only area to receive more Japanese students than before the COVID-19 pandemic.

By country, the U.S. was the most popular destination in 2023, with some 14,000, or 22.4% of the total, choosing the country, followed by Australia with 19%, Canada with 14.7%, the United Kingdom with 10.7% and the Philippines with 9%.

Malaysia was chosen by 893 people, occupying only 1.4% of the total, but the figure was nearly double the number posted in 2019.

More than 70% chose a program of less than three months.

JAOS believes there is a growing trend of study-abroad destinations shifting to Asia, which offers programs at lower prices than other areas such as North America, as the costs of studying abroad is pushed up by the weak yen and rising prices.

“Studying in Asia is attractive because it is close to Japan and living costs including food expenses are lower,” said an official from a study-abroad agency in the Kyushu region. “I think Asia will become an even closer study-abroad destination in the future.”

The official said the number of people wishing to go to North America is declining and the agency is receiving more inquiries for programs in Asia as the first choice.

The participants of the tour in the Philippines were also taken to another location — Caohagan Island, located about an hour away from Cebu by boat.

The island is known as an impoverished area, with the average monthly income of households said to be around ¥9,000.

The tour participants inspected the island, led by a staff member from go share, a nonprofit organization that has offices in Japan and the Philippines and offers support to the island’s residents.

They visited an elementary school holding classes outside because of the lack of a school building and looked at houses damaged by a typhoon.

The residents of the island have to go to other islands to purchase drinking water. They store rainwater for daily use.

“We brought you to this island to offer added value to studying abroad,” said Koji Takehara, an official from the Philippines Department of Tourism’s Osaka office who organized the tour. Takehara has experience of working in the Philippines.

The tour demonstrates that students can not only learn English but can also gain experiences that may widen their worldview.

Some high schools choose to include a trip to Caohagan in their school trips or study-abroad programs.

One of the teachers who participated in the tour said, “I thought 'I want to study here myself' and I could really feel this place can make me reinvent myself.

“I’m sure my students will feel the same way.”

Potential students visited an island without a proper classroom and without drinking water. What a way to "widen their worldview." Who thought this was a good idea? They would be coming here to learn English, not die from the elements. 

The God Culture: The God Culture Says: Jesus is the Only Begotten Son Meaning Birthed in the Flesh by a Woman

While it is true that Timothy Jay Schwab who is The God Culture believes Jesus is the Son of God his doctrine of what that means exactly is quite heterodox. Rather than Christ being the eternally begotten Son of God Tim teaches Jesus is the only begotten Son because he was born in the flesh. Let's hear him and then break down why he is wrong. 

5:45 "But he that said unto him," Who's that? Yahuah. "Thou art my son. Today have I begotten thee." Now we know Yahusha is the only begotten son meaning birthed in the flesh by a woman but he existed prior.

Order of Melchizedek. The New Testament & Qumran Scrolls. Answers In Jubilees 38

42:54 Why is Yahusha the only begotten son of Yahuah? Angels are called sons of Elohim or beneha Elohim. Uh, they're not begotten see they were not birthed they were created or really from the breath of Yahuah. We're going to get there. We know Enoch visited heaven and saw Yahusha there in spirit so he existed. Again, watch our Melchizedek videos as well as Answers in first Enoch especially the son of man. Awesome video, uh, that one of the most beautiful parts of first Enoch is his encounter seeing Messiah who was not even in the flesh yet thousands of years before in heaven. Wow! That was before the flood but Yahusha has been always since the beginning, right? Oh, wait a minute but that's that's, that's not anything strange to scripture because He said so right in Revelation. He said I am the Alpha and the Omega the beginning and the end. He has no beginning nor an end as Melchizedek the priest in an order of one because he's the only that could possibly qualify.  

44:10 So, how can He be the only begotten Son? Now, many try to go all the way back to creation and redefine what he was there but see we know Enoch saw the Son of Man in heaven and he was a spirit he was not in the flesh he was not begotten at creation he still wasn't, uh, you know almost a thousand years later or so so he wasn't begotten at creation. See, he was begotten in the days of Mary. We know this. That shouldn't be a surprise but again check your paradigm. Not sure how scholars can seem to read and understand that because it's really not that difficult but we've all been trapped in this paradigm of thinking that that meant somehow he had to have been birthed. Well, what a first time to be birthed again by Mary? Well, that's nonsense. I mean you know these things. Just logically think it through. It's, it's really easy to dispel, uh, unfortunately what is scholarship to many. This is in the New Testament and He is begotten entering Mary's womb and birth like the rest of us humans thus begotten. That's what that word always means in scripture. Talk about overcomplicating and there's so much of that we have to work through. They're trying to go back to creation and claim Yahuah had a child in the human sense. Uh, no that has always been erroneous and again Elohim is the Father and the Son in the beginning and really before that. That was the first day of creation

Restoring Creation Part 12 Who Is Elohim Gen. 11 Understood. First Day

Essentially Tim is denying the Eternal Sonship of Christ. Rather than Jesus being eternally begotten, according to Tim His begottenness relates to his birth in the flesh. Yet Tim says "the Father and the Son existed in the beginning and really before that." How did Jesus exist as Son before creation if His sonship is related to His fleshly birth? Tim does not say. 

The problem is the Bible says Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

That means the relationship between the Son and the Father is unchanging. There was NEVER a time that Christ was not the eternally begotten Son of God. To claim as Tim does that Christ's begottenness is a new characteristic related to his birth in the flesh and not an essential and unchanging part of His relationship to the Father is to say Jesus is NOT the same yesterday, and today, and forever.  It is to deny who Christ is. 

It is very evident that Tim does not understand the doctrine of the eternal Sonship of Christ when he says:

They're trying to go back to creation and claim Yahuah had a child in the human sense. 

Who says this? Nobody. Tim is making it up. In fact this very objection Tim is making was brought up in the time of St. Gregory of Nyssa.

The Father is the Begetter and the Emitter; without passion of course, and without reference to time, and not in a corporeal manner. 

Third Theological Oration 

It is quite obvious The Father did not beget the Son "in the human sense." The very idea is ridiculous and the one making the objection simply shows he does not understand. Gregory says further:

IV. But how can this generation be passionless? In that it is incorporeal. For if corporeal generation involves passion, incorporeal generation excludes it.

But, the objector says, the very form of the expression He begot and He was begotten, brings in the idea of a beginning of generation. But what if you do not use this expression, but say, He had been begotten from the beginning so as readily to evade your far-fetched and time-loving objections? Will you bring Scripture against us, as if we were forging something contrary to Scripture and to the truth? Why, every one knows that in practice we very often find tenses interchanged when time is spoken of; and especially is this the custom of Holy Scripture, not only in respect of the past tense, and of the present; but even of the future, as for instance Why did the heathen rage? when they had not yet raged and they shall cross over the river on foot, where the meaning is they did cross over. It would be a long task to reckon up all the expressions of this kind which students have noticed.

The generation, begetting, of the Son of God is both passionless and incorporeal. It is asinine to think God would generate a son "in the human sense" because that would involve passion and corporealness which are attributes God does not posses. 

Finally Gregory says:

VIII. How then was He begotten? This Generation would have been no great thing, if you could have comprehended it who have no real knowledge even of your own generation, or at least who comprehend very little of it, and of that little you are ashamed to speak; and then do you think you know the whole? You will have to undergo much labour before you discover the laws of composition, formation, manifestation, and the bond whereby soul is united to body — mind to soul, and reason to mind; and movement, increase, assimilation of food, sense, memory, recollection, and all the rest of the parts of which you are compounded; and which of them belongs to the soul and body together, and which to each independently of the other, and which is received from each other. For those parts whose maturity comes later, yet received their laws at the time of conception. 

Tell me what these laws are? And do not even then venture to speculate on the Generation of God; for that would be unsafe. For even if you knew all about your own, yet you do not by any means know about God's. And if you do not understand your own, how can you know about God's? For in proportion as God is harder to trace out than man, so is the heavenly Generation harder to comprehend than your own. But if you assert that because you cannot comprehend it, therefore He cannot have been begotten, it will be time for you to strike out many existing things which you cannot comprehend; and first of all God Himself. For you cannot say what He is, even if you are very reckless, and excessively proud of your intelligence. First, cast away your notions of flow and divisions and sections, and your conceptions of immaterial as if it were material birth, and then you may perhaps worthily conceive of the Divine Generation. How was He begotten?— I repeat the question in indignation. The Begetting of God must be honoured by silence. It is a great thing for you to learn that He was begotten. But the manner of His generation we will not admit that even Angels can conceive, much less you. Shall I tell you how it was? It was in a manner known to the Father Who begot, and to the Son Who was begotten. Anything more than this is hidden by a cloud, and escapes your dim sight.

Gregory's answer to those who deny the eternal generation of the Son of God because they do not understand it is indignation. 

Tim is a simple minded fool who denies the eternal generation of the Son of God because he does not understand it. He mocks those who believe it by claiming they teach the Father had a Son "in the human sense." Yet his teaching that Jesus is begotten because he took on flesh and was born introduces change to the one who is unchangeable. It is a subtle denial of the divinity of Christ. 

Not only that but the scriptures tell us exactly how Psalm 2:7, You are my son, this day have I begotten thee, is fulfilled. It is fulfilled in the resurrection. 

Romans 1:4 explains this even further by telling us the meaning is not that Christ became the Son on the day he resurrected but the event declared it for all the world to see. His Sonship is eternal but on that particular day His Sonship was revealed to the whole world by the resurrection.

It seems Tim is unaware of these scriptures which perfectly explain Psalm 2:7. And this is coming from a man who has been a Bible teacher for 30 years!

Timothy Jay Schwab's entire theological system is heretical. From denying the Holy Spirit is Divine, to denying the Trinity, and now denying that Jesus Christ is the eternally begotten Son of God it is more than clear that Tim has no idea who God is. 

Insurgency: Shun Leftist Candidates

Recently a group of ex-insurgents submitted a two-page manifesto denouncing armed violence and declaring their willingness to work for peace. The title is "A Call for Unity, Progress, and Collective Healing."

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1234272

Former rebels have condemned acts of violence of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front and expressed willingness to work with the government in attaining peace.

The former rebels made the commitment in a two-page manifesto titled "A Call for Unity, Progress, and Collective Healing," the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) said in a news release Friday.

"Our decision to condemn armed struggle does not mean abandoning our principles. We do not turn our backs on the fight for social justice. Instead, we embrace a new approach to struggle, one that aligns with the rule of law and collaboration among all sectors of society," the manifesto read.

The manifesto was signed at the La Breza Hotel in Quezon City during the culmination of the National Peace Advocate Summit 2024.

"It is a powerful declaration from those who have walked the path of conflict, now committed to forging a new way forward for themselves and for future generations," NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. said.

It also serves as a guiding document for the anti-insurgency body in implementing programs and initiatives that support the reintegration of former rebels.

The manifesto appears to not be available online so its contents cannot be read. However one take on it is that these former rebels are basically rallying against leftist candidates. 

https://tribune.net.ph/2024/09/27/shun-leftist-candidates-say-ex-rebels

Former top members of the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army, National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) have called on all candidates and voters to renounce armed struggle and violence.

How convenient such a document would be submitted just as election season begins. Is this a real, organic manifesto or is this the work of the AFP and the NTF-ELCAC in an attempt to persuade Filipinos to not vote for the various leftist party lists? 

In Aurora Province 91 former rebels pledged allegiance to the Philippine government. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1234404

The Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion on Monday said 91 supporters of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Aurora province have officially declared their withdrawal of support to the communist terrorist group and pledged their allegiance to the government.

In an interview, Lt. Col. Aries Quinto, acting commanding officer of the 91st IB, said a ceremony for the group’s withdrawal of support took place at the Aurora Trading Center Covered Court here last Sept. 27.

Apart from signing the oath of allegiance to the government, he said the group, who hails from the towns of San Luis and Maria Aurora, also burned the replica of the NPA flag, which signifies their abandonment of the terrorist communist group.

“The gathering is part of the participants love and loyalty to the government, as they have awakened from the lies and deceptions of the terrorist rebels that sow terror in the community,” Quinto said.

“They ended support for the rebel groups to maintain lasting peace and development in Aurora. A clear manifestation that the Whole of Nation Approach, or E.O. 70, was implemented successfully in coordination with the local government units, and other civic clusters successfully facilitated the group’s withdrawal to the NPA with their formal reintegration into the community.”

He also thanked the government agencies and security forces efforts to maintain peace and development in the province.

These include the regional offices of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, Department of Health, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Agrarian Reform, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace and Reconciliation and Unity.

He also acknowledged the continued full support from the Aurora Police Provincial Office and the local government units.

Meanwhile, Maria Aurora Mayor Ariel Bitong said a large number of projects are ongoing for his constituents – including the concreting of roads, construction of barangay roads, farm-to-market roads, and multi-purpose buildings, among others – with the help of Aurora Rep. Rommel Angara.

In a separate statement, Ka Danger thanked the government for the continued support and help for former rebels like him.

“I am one of the living FRs who testify that the government is sincerely rebuilding our lives. I visited far-flung areas to inform the public that our government is doing its best to help us,” he said.

Of course they burned the NPA flag and signed an oversized oath of allegiance in a big show for the public. But how long has it been since these people abandoned the NPA? Years? Months? From the sound of it they have been out of the fight for quite sometime since one of them testified the government is helping him to rebuild his life. 

Vice President Sara Duterte is facing harsh criticism for not being able to account for how her confidential funds were spent when she was the Department of Education Secretary. P112.5 million were spent on Youth Summits which were handled by the AFP as part of their counterinsurgency program. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1987456/house-probe-questions-depeds-use-of-p112-5m-for-youth-summits

The use of confidential funds given to the Department of Education (DepEd) when it was still headed by Vice President Sara Duterte continued to be scrutinized by the House of Representatives.

This time, questions were raised about the DepEd’s use of P112.5 million in confidential funds for “youth leadership summits” in 2023.

Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel brought it up on Wednesday’s hearing of the House committee on good government and public accountability, which Duterte again snubbed and had accused of being politically motivated.

Pimentel, the committee vice chair, asked how such a large sum could be justified for such events.

“To feed 3,000 students, you’d spend p112.5 million? Even if they stay in a hotel for three months, they can’t possibly use up P112.5 million,” the lawmaker said.

He also cast doubts on the “certifications” issued by military officials for the conduct of the seminars, which were among the documents submitted by DepEd for an accounting of the discretionary fund.

Pimentel cited the audit observation memorandums (AOMs) of the Commission on Audit (COA) which flagged the cash advances and liquidation reports for the summits.

The AOMs, he noted, raised concerns about the total expenditure and the lack of supporting documentation, such as receipts and photographs of the seminars.

Pimentel highlighted two AOMs, dated Feb. 1 and Aug 8, which were both addressed to Edward Fajarda, DepEd’s special disbursing officer.

Edward’s wife, Assistant Secretary Sunshine Fajarda, was said to be the DeEd officer who handed out monthly cash envelopes to the agency’s former Head of Procuring Entity (HoPE), Gloria Mercado, who also testified before the committee on Wednesday.

The lawmaker asked that Edward be called to the next hearing since he was responsible for the P112.5 million in cash advances used for seminars and their liquidation.

The first AOM involved P75 million disbursed from July 12 to Sept. 29, 2023, while the second memo was for P37.5 million covering the period from Feb. 22 to June 29, 2023.

Pimentel asked the COA personnel present at the hearing to confirm if the youth summits actually took place, noting that the liquidation documents only included certifications from at least three Philippine Army officers.

“Do we have documentation? Do we have evidence that indeed they conducted this Youth Leadership Summit or is this only on paper?” he asked.

According to one of the certifications, he said, 531 participants took part in eight summits, while another said 205 attended one summit. The third certification reported 860 participants in nine summits.

Former DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa, who appeared at Wednesday’s hearing, explained that the summits were not directly handled by DepEd but by the Armed Forces of the Philippines in line with its campaign against the communist insurgency.

“The youth Leadership Summit is not something that DepEd had conducted, but actually received certification from the AFP,” Poa said.

But Pimentel maintained that “even if that’s (done using) confidential funds, that is still taxpayers’ money. P112.5 million is such a huge amount for a youth leadership summit.”

The committee will look deeper into the matter in the next hearing, where Edward should explain the expenditure, he said.

Otherwise, “it’s very clear this is just on paper,” Pimentel added.

Lots of questions here. If the DepEd did not conduct these summits then why did the department spend the money on the summits? Why didn't the funding for this project come out of the AFP's coffers? Most importantly how was so much money spent in such a short period of time? Hopefully we will hear from the AFP.

Another NPA leader has been neutralized. This time he was arrested rather than killed in combat. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1234668

Police have apprehended one of the most wanted New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the Caraga Region, an official said Thursday.

Brig. Gen. Alan Nazarro, director of the Police Regional Office-Caraga (PRO-13), identified the rebel as "Rudy Amara," 31, the vice commanding officer of the weakened NPA Guerrilla Front 30.

The arrest took place on Tuesday in Carmen, Surigao del Sur.

“Amara faces six counts of murder, five counts of frustrated murder, three counts of attempted murder, and a charge of slight illegal detention,” Nazarro said.

Amara is listed as the region's second top communist priority target and the second most wanted person.

On top of the murder charges, Amara faces three charges under Republic Act 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

Surely the "leaderless NPA" has more leaders out there. 

Isablea City in Basilan has been declared Abu Sayyaf free. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/10/1/isabela-city-in-basilan-declared-asg-free

Authorities declared Isabela City in Basilan province Abu Sayyaf Group-free during a simple ceremony at the Isabela City Civic and Cultural Center in Binuangan, Isabela City on Monday, September 30.

Isabela City was the latest area in Basilan to be declared free from the terrorist group after Al-Barka, Maluso, Lantawan, and Ungkaya-Pukan. 

The declaration was part of a campaign initiated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines to free Basilan from ASG influence.

Isabela City Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin Hataman asked residents and visitors to give importance and deep meaning to the occasion. 

“It’s freedom from the fears of the past by moving forward from the violence that once held us back,” the lady mayor said.

House Deputy Minority Leader Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman thanked the Nagdilaab Foundation, the Ulama Supreme Council, military, and police for making Isabela City ASG-free.

Brig. Gen. Alvin Luzon, commander of the 101st Infantry Brigade, said that the declaration has a major impact on the security situation amid the peace and stability that the city have been enjoying for some time.

"This move reinforces the continuous development and progress not just for the city but also for the entire province of Basilan," said Luzon.

Present during the ceremony were Joint Task Force Orion chief Brig. Gen. Leonardo Peña; Luzon, Police Brig. Gen. Bowenn Joey Masauding, Police Regional Office-9 director, Mayor Hataman, Rep. Mujiv Hataman, Isabela City Vice Mayor Jhul Kifli Saliman, and other officials of Isabela City.

Several towns in Basilan have been declared ASG-free this year. This declaration is one more step as Basilan Province is soon set to be declared ASG-free 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/917793/basilan-abu-sayyaf-free/story/

Several "wanted" posters and tarpaulins in Basilan have been taken down in preparation for the declaration of the province as free of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

According to the 101st Infantry Brigade, the forthcoming declaration of Basilan as ASG-free province will be "a historic milestone, underscoring the successful efforts to eradicate terrorism and radicalism."

"This initiative is anticipated to encourage further regional development and investment, reinforcing the hard-won peace," 101st Infantry Brigade said.

The military said removing the ASG "wanted" posters marked the culmination of the long-standing security campaign against the Islamic extremist group in the province.

"The decision to remove the ASG WANTED posters and tarpaulins is expected to foster a renewed sense of normalcy and security among the Basileños," the 101st Infantry Brigade said.

Remnants of the ASG were considered and declared "criminal elements" as they continue to do criminal activities, including extortion and grave threats, among others.

"They can no longer influence the community and are without a support system for survival," the 101st Infantry Brigade added.

Even as Basilan is set to be declared free of Abu Sayyaf the AFP admits there are still ASG remnants in the area. How is that ASG-free?

No More Nuisance Candidates?

It's election season again. The first step in the 2025 elections is the filing of the Certificate of Candidacy. Lot's of people want in on the government gravy train. However, in the past it has not been so easy for the little guy to attempt a run for office without being disqualified for being a nuisance candidate. That is now a thing of the past. Perhaps. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/10/2/comelec-in-a-tight-spot

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) finds itself in a tight spot when it comes to which election candidates should be declared as "nuisance".

This, after the Supreme Court (SC) ruled that the unpopularity of a candidate, or non-membership in a political party, as well as the lack of financial capacity to run a campaign, were not sufficient grounds to declare one a nuisance candidate.

"Although our chances of getting an opportunity to appeal for a declaration of disqualification as a nuisance candidate in the law department are limited, we still have two other options to determine if you're a bona fide candidate," Comelec spokesman lawyer John Rex Laudiangco told the media during the second day of filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs).

Many of the perennial poll aspirants who have so far filed their COC for senator have criticized Comelec for disqualifying them due to their lack of financial capacity or for being not well-known. 

With these two factors out of the picture, Laudiangco said that they will observe the aspirants during the filing to check their actions, or to find out if they know what they're running for.

"You may be running for senator, but the job you're referring to doesn't quite suit that of a senator. Perhaps there's a lack of full understanding of the position involved," he said.

The other thing Comelec is looking at is those who filed their COCs only to disrupt or confuse the voting public in an attempt to get votes at someone else's expense.

Laudiangco assured the public that they'll make a factual assessment to establish that someone does not have a bona fide intention for the position they're running for.

"Because we can see that, if he or she is really serious or if he or she just wants to be seen filing a COC, getting photographed, being on TV, because there are people like that," he added.

No longer is lack of membership in a political party or lack of financial capacity enough to consider someone a nuisance candidate. Instead the COMELEC will be looking at a would-be candidates actions and checking to see if they know what they have even filed for. 

How is that fair? All the candidates make big promises that exceed the office for which they aspire. Are we really supposed to believe the clowns who are actually in office understand their own office? 

This new doctrine from the Supreme Court could shake things up at the polls. I wouldn't expect the media to cover any so-called nuisance candidates in an honest or comprehensive way but at least it won't be the same-old, same-old. 

Take Eric Negapatan who has tried to run for office thrice and has been declared a nuisance each time. He wants to return the Marcos wealth to the Filipino people. Turns out it was actually willed to him by Marcos Sr's mom when he was her servant. 

https://www.inquirer.net/414924/senatorial-aspirant-vows-to-return-marcoses-alleged-p800-quadrillion-wealth/

A senatorial aspirant on Wednesday vowed to bring back the alleged wealth of the Marcos family, reportedly amounting to “800 quadrillion pesos” for the benefit of all Filipinos.

Eric Negapatan made the campaign pitch, which resembled the debunked Tallano Gold claims as he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) at Manila Hotel Garden City on Wednesday.

Negapatan promised to distribute this amount, supposedly hidden somewhere in London, to all Filipinos for their basic needs.

(No one will need to buy rice anymore. No one will pay for water. No one will pay for electricity anymore.)

He claimed he inherited this “800 quadrillion” from Doña Josefa Marcos, mother of late former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., when he was her servant in Batac City, Ilocos Norte.

(All of this was left in my name. In other words, it was not named after Marcos.)

(If the heir is a Marcos, the PCGG would have confiscated it.)

Negapatan said he previously ran for the presidency in 2016 and 2022 and in the senatorial polls in 2019, but he was declared a nuisance candidate in all these political attempts.

Of course he sounds crazy but why shouldn't he be able to run for office?

Likewise why should the COMELEC forbid the "chosen one of God" from running for the Senate?

https://www.inquirer.net/414985/senatorial-aspirant-to-curse-anyone-who-will-disqualify-her/

Senatorial aspirant Beth Lopez, who claimed to be the “chosen one of God,” on Wednesday said that she would “curse” anyone who would disqualify her from the 2025 elections.

Lopez said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) disqualified her in the previous polls due to poverty.

(This is my third time running for senator of our country. So brave. Thick-skinned despite being disqualified by Comelec because of being poor. I apologize for being emotional.)

When asked what she would do if Comelec disqualified her again, the teary-eyed senatorial aspirant raised her voice at the end of her answer.

(If Comelec does not allow me to run for senator, everyone who is involved in my disqualification will be cursed, and I will declare this government agency as nonsense.)

A Comelec official then went up to the stage to calm her down. She smiled and said that she was just being “emotional.”

Lopez also claimed that she is the “chosen one of God.”

(I hate politics. Now, who made a way for me to do something I don’t like? God. God made a way for me to not to run for public office.)

(I declare that of all the miracles in my life, I am the chosen one of God. If I die, I will declare that my soul will come back to punish you all.)

Lopez tried to run for senator in the 2019 elections, but she said she was not permitted to enter the Comlelc office to file her certificate of candidacy (COC).

The security forces at Comelec clarified that she was instructed to first secure a copy of the COC application form at the office.

Don't anybody get in her way.

Don't get in the way of this half-zombie either. 

https://www.inquirer.net/415733/rastaman-known-as-half-human-half-zombie-seeks-senate-seat/

Rastaman,” who usually passes himself off as “half-human, half-zombie,” is seeking a Senate seat after filing his certificate of candidacy (COC) on Saturday.

Rolando Plaza in real life, the tattooed-faced character filed his COC at the Manila Hotel Tent City.

Plaza previously filed his COC for senator in 2019 but was disqualified after being declared a nuisance candidate.

“Rastaman” gained virality overnight as a result of an interview where he claims to be “half-human, half-zombie.”

Media analytics firm Isentia PH says this man is a joke and the electorate needs such humor during election season. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1516474/coping-mechanism-firm-says-rastaman-popularity-shows-humor-still-vital-to-ph-elections

Prior to COVID-19, the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) is one of the most colorful events in Philippine politics — not just because of rival politicians but due to some “out-of-this-world aspirants” often branded as nuisance candidates.

With lockdowns still present, Filipinos turned to the internet to put some color to an allegedly dull COC filing from October 1 to 8, through the culture of memes and shitposting — which eventually gave way to the resurgence of a person known in social media circles as the “Rastaman.”

It is unclear whether the man is indeed a follower of Rastafarianism, but the rise of this tattooed man deemed as an “alternative candidate” may be the best proof that humorous story lines are still very important for people vying for elective posts, a media analytics firm said.

Isentia PH said in their report titled “Prelude to the Polls” that the seemingly undying popularity of Ronaldo Plaza, the senatorial aspirant in the 2019 midterm elections, can be attributed to a yearning for a funny twist to an otherwise serious political exercise.

Plaza, sporting a bandana and with several tattoos on his face — including the words “Rasta” on his forehead, nose and upper lip and the word “Man” on his chin, plus a motorcycle on his temple — became an internet sensation among people supposedly tired of politics.

“A video of him filing his COC from the last elections, accompanied by an interview, resurfaced this period. Netizens began posting memes giving him their ironic support and earning traction across social media platforms. Rastaman gained virality overnight as a result of an interview wherein claims to be ‘half-human, half-zombie,’” Isentia PH said.

“His popularity may be attributed to Filipinos finding humor in the candidate amidst the seriousness of the election season,” it added.

According to Isentia PH, the Filipinos’ desire for some laughs may be an attempt to hide a great frustration over what has happened in the country — from the issues on the COVID-19 pandemic response and the effects of lockdown restrictions.

“The period leading to the polls has been marred with an overall sense of frustration in the middle of the pandemic, and the internet gave Rastaman a platform and his persona has ensued popularity because of a ‘comforting absurdity’ — a key element in getting audience’s attention,” the firm said.

“As the internet shifted from memes to serious conversations, a swing of emotions and sentiment could come from various factors especially with news coming the public’s way daily. Rastaman’s popularity is a clear showing of how important humor is to storytelling, messaging, narrative, public relations, leading to a comforting nature that drives engagement,” it added.

Now with the SC ruling he will have to be taken seriously. What's wrong with that?

What about the common man? An electrician wants to run for office and why shouldn't he? Why should the political class only be composed of well connected monied families? 

https://www.inquirer.net/414472/electrician-man-who-wants-to-marry-sen-marcos-to-run-for-senator/

An electrician and a man claiming to be Sen. Imee Marcos’ fiance said they would run for senator in the 2025 elections.

Alexander Encarnacion, an electrician and a carpenter, lodged his certificate of candidacy (COC) on Tuesday, the first day of COC filing.

(An electrician and carpenter can do many things for the country.)

Encarnacion said he filed COC in two previous elections but was disqualified as a nuisance candidate.

(I am penniless. They said I can’t launch a nationwide campaign.)

Daniel Magtira, who said he wanted to marry Marcos, also went to the COC filing venue at the Manila Hotel tent, but he has yet to lodge his COC as of posting.

In 2021, he also claimed to be the husband of actress and host Kris Aquino.

(I don’t know where Kris Aquino is, so I’ll just marry Imee Marcos.)

Pressed to disclose his plans should he win a Senate seat, Magtira said: “Let us implement the promise of salary increase.”

In 2021, he also filed a COC for president for the 2022 elections.

Magtira was alone when he faced the media on Tuesday. He was wearing a blue-green barong and a pin bearing the Philippine flag.

The man who wants to marry Imee Marcos may not be in his right mind but why stop the common laboring man from aspiring to do great things for his country? Don't forget men like Bato and Robinhood Padilla are in office. Both of them had no political training and only won because of their popularity.

The case of those two men illustrate the problem with elections in the Philippines. The COMELEC decides who can and cannot run and the people are forced to choose between who is left over. How exactly can voters be vigilant when so many unqualified men are on the ballot?

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1234745

House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Friday urged Filipino voters to “practice discernment” and exercise “perpetual vigilance” in choosing candidates for next year’s midterm elections, or suffer the consequences of more “Alice Guos” in the country’s electoral system.

“To the Filipino voters, I encourage you to exercise your right with discernment. Your role is crucial in this process. By remaining vigilant, we ensure a future where our leaders uphold the values of integrity, competence, and a commitment to the well-being of our nation,” Romualdez said in a statement as the filing of certificates of candidacies (COCs) for the May 2025 senatorial and synchronized local polls entered its fourth day.

He said the classic case of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, a certified Chinese national, should be a constant reminder to everyone to practice increased vigilance or face similar embarrassing consequences.

“The recent disqualification of Guo is a significant reminder of our challenges in ensuring that only qualified individuals are elected to public office. The Comelec (Commission on Elections) is crucial in accepting candidacy applications,” he said.

Romualdez appealed to the Comelec, under the leadership of Chairman George Garcia, that while the processing of COCs may be “ministerial” in nature, it is still important they safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.

“The law provides transparent processes for challenging unqualified candidates, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that these mechanisms are used appropriately to maintain public trust. We all share the responsibility of safeguarding our democracy, and by working together, we can prevent any recurrence of past issues,” he said.

“Together, let us build a government that truly reflects the aspirations of the Filipino people – one that is transparent, accountable, and dedicated to genuine public service,” he said, noting that voters should always bear in mind that by choosing right, “we get the government we deserve.”

Romualdez's advice is well-intentioned but does not take into consideration the reality that voters do not choose who is on the ballot. In local elections the number of choices are usually low. Sometimes there is only one candidate. How can the people be discerning when the COMELEC allows suspended politicians to run for office merely because their suspension is not final?

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1234695

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) here said the suspended board members of Antique province can still file their certificates of candidacy (COCs) and run for the 2025 midterm elections.

“The preventive suspension of the board members is not a problem or a ground for their disqualification because it is not yet a final decision from the Ombudsman,” said Acting Assistant Regional Election Director and concurrent Antique Provincial Election Supervisor Wil Arceño in an interview on Thursday.

He said that the Comelec, since the first day of the filing on Oct. 1, has been receiving COCs of suspended board members, citing, as the basis, Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Suspended board members Mayella Mae Plameras-Ladislao, Egidio Elio, Alfie Jay Niquia, and Plaridel Sanchez IV filed their COCs on Oct. 1.  Ladislao is running for vice governor, while Elio, Niquia, and Sanchez IV are seeking reelection.

They were slapped with a six-month preventive suspension by the Office of the Ombudsman effective Aug. 5, 2024, pending the hearing of their administrative cases for oppression, grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, and gross neglect of duty.  

Perhaps the Ombudsman should act more quickly on these matters. Or perhaps the COMELEC should change its rules so that suspended politicians are not allowed to run no matter what.

And what about self-confessed criminals?

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1234603

Self-confessed drug lord Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for mayor of his hometown, Albuera in Leyte province, the same post held by his slain father.

In a social media post by his official Facebook page, “Care Win," Espinosa was seen holding a copy of his COC filed on Oct. 1. 

He also posted photos and videos of his supporters who accompanied him in the COC filing. Joining him are candidates under the Bando Espinosa-Pundok Kausaban (BE-PK) party.

Supporters of the Espinosa camp were seen wearing blue shirts with BE-PK prints distributed during the first day of filing.

“I am running to help those who are oppressed regardless of your age and economic status,” he told the cheering supporters.

He is reportedly running against incumbent Mayor Sixto Dela Victoria.

Kerwin was released from jail after the Regional Trial Court in Baybay City junked a case against him for lack of evidence.

In 2016, he was one of the personalities linked by then President Rodrigo Duterte to the illegal drug trade in Eastern Visayas.

Duterte accused Espinosa and his father, Rolando Espinosa, Sr., then mayor of Albuera, of their involvement in the narcotics trade after a police raid that found PHP11 million worth of shabu near the family’s residence in Albuera town.

The elder Espinosa surrendered in mid-2016 but was later killed inside his jail cell in Baybay City.

Sure, Espinosa was found not guilty but that's not the point. The point is the COMELEC is allowed to decide who can and cannot run. When the people have to choose between a self-confessed criminal and someone equally worthless what are they to do? Not vote? 

The Supreme Court decision to allow candidates to run despite their financial ability or membership in a political party is a welcome decision for all. People talk a big game about democracy but denying people the right to run because they are poor is not very democratic. 

Are there nuisance candidates? Of course. The Duterte's, the Marcoses, and practically every political family have had their day in the sun and they have not done a very good job of running the Philippines except into the ground. Why not let the common man have his day in the sun?