Perspectives

HIGHLY POLITICIZED ICC: MAJOR NATIONS DON’T RECOGNIZE ITS AUTHORITY

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a highly-politicized body that is not recognized as a judicial authority by major nations like the U.S., China, Russia, Israel and many others. Just today, the U.S. threatened the ICC with sanctions if its judges or prosecutors make a move against the U.S., Israel or any of its allies (https://ph.yahoo.com/news/us-threatens-arrest-icc-judges-probe-war-crimes-174349613.html). The fact is, the ICC prosecutors and judges can only go after weak and vulnerable nations in its supposed “pursuit of justice” for human rights abuse victims. If you’re powerful enough, the ICC can’t go after you.

And just like in the United Nations (UN), politics plays a major part of how it operates. Israel had refused to be a party to the ICC because it has concerns that political pressure on the Court would lead it to reinterpret international law or to "invent new crimes".

The Philippines should leave the ICC, it is a waste of taxpayers’ money. The Philippines is better off using the cash to strengthen our Armed Forces. Better yet, the ICC should disband. The ICC has become a tool for harassment by political adversaries from weak and vulnerable nations.


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PEOPLE POWER ONLY HAPPENS EVERY 15-YEARS: 1986, 2001 and 2016

Yes, 2016. People Power by the ballot happened on that fateful year. Political experts and veteran politicians didn’t see it coming and neither did most of the over 16-million Filipinos who overwhelmingly voted to catapult an unassuming Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte to the highest government position of the land. Davao City’s loss was the nation’s gain.

Scholars will probably be studying what happened for a long time. A humble Pres. Duterte dismisses it as an act of fate because he himself didn’t aspire for it or plan for it like most of his rivals did, but for many Filipinos – it was a deliverance from the decades of traditional politics that hound our unsteady system of government. Populism may be a recent global phenomenon but it apparently offended the “finer” sensibilities of some perceived elitist-wannabes and the traditional oligarchy. After all, they didn’t go through good manners and etiquette to end up having a leader who exhibits un-“statesman-like” demeanor and casually disregards “stiff” office wardrobe.

The fact is, we’ve never had a no-nonsense, from-the-hip-shooting, down-to-earth, socialist leader like Rodrigo Duterte and sadly we never will. Most Davaoeños are proud of him and so are the over 16-million Filipino voters here and abroad.


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THESE GALLANT MEN AND WOMEN DESERVED THEIR HOLY LAND TRIP AND MUCH, MUCH MORE.

A grateful nation salutes our valiant men and women of the Armed Forces who have sacrificed so much and ask for so little. These gallant men and women deserved their Holy Land trip and much, much more. Thank you, Pres. Duterte, for your compassion and appreciation for them.

Watch Asec. Mocha Uson's video coverage of wounded-in-action (disabled) AFP personnel who joined Pres. Duterte's state visits to Israel and Jordan: https://www.facebook.com/Mochablogger/videos/885053348366931/?t=13

No other Philippine Commander-in-Chief has done for our uniformed men and women what Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte has done for them. We've neglected them so much for so long after the Marcos years that it is about time that we show them compassion and appreciation for the sacrifices they make. They deserve so much more.


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 ISRAEL TRIP: A GRATEFUL NATION KNOWS HOW TO THANK ITS MEN IN UNIFORM

A grateful nation owes these men-in-uniform much more. PRRD is right to bring them along. This is no gov't junket wherein an official has been in and out of the country 10 or so times in a year coz these men are retiring after serving our country well.

Pres. Duterte knows how to show his gratitude for men-in-uniform who has served their country with honor and patriotism. I’d like to think that this is part of his style for successfully managing Davao City. Uniformed men and women who served with honor and dedication are rewarded with a meager show of appreciation for their years of service. This is how it should be done.

Critics who know no better than to find fault and earn media mileage say that it is a junket that PRRD is supposedly against – and they’re conveniently omitting the fact that PRRD fired officials who were in and out of the country numerous occasions. These uniformed personnel are retiring after a distinguished career – where is the comparison?


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METRO MANILA LGUs SHOULD PAY MMDA FOR DOING LGUs’ JOB

True, it is unrealistic to expect LGUs to keep their sidewalks and streets clear of obstruction less they ignore the risk of losing votes come next election. To a lot of their constituents, doing this may be like “biting the hand that feeds you”. That is why MMDA should expand their street and sidewalk clearing operations task force to cover more ground and operate with more frequency. And since this is the LGUs’ job that they’re doing for them – the LGUs should pay for the costs equitably.




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BIRDS OF A FEATHER: SHOW OF BRAZEN ARROGANCE

Show of brazen arrogance by a motorist (claim to 15-minutes of infamy dubbed "5-minute girl"). She deserves more than just a ticket for hitting the MMDA enforcer's motorbike and refusing to produce her license for a very long time. I'm so disappointed that Col. Nebrija let her and her husband get away with just a ticket. Shameless couple.

Gadget Addict has video that her van was completely blocking the pedestrian way and she deserved a ticket - with or without the 5-mins. To this alleged prosecutor, the 5-mins. grace period is for the towing, NOT for the obstructing violation ticket. Shame on you! Col. Bong Nebrija should've reminded her of that. She deserved that ticket the very moment MMDA got there!

I remember Pres. Duterte said that once when he was still mayor of Davao that he told a Davao judge to move his illegally-parked vehicle OR ELSE. The message was - you can't do anything you want just coz you're a gov't official. The message got through to this judge and every Davao City gov't officer after that incident. I hope that PRRD teaches this couple a lesson in a language they'll understand so that others will get the message, too.

Even with a public apology, MMDA should pursue all cases against her. Her apology should be no less than a guilty plea for each case. She should face the consequences of her shameless behavior in order to serve as an example that you can't act like that to MMDA enforcers and policemen and get away with it via an apology.

UPDATE: Col. Nebrija suspects that the woman wasn't carrying her license with her that's why she couldn't produce it (and hence the staged drama to buy some time for her equally arrogant husband to get it there). The more reason Col. Nebrija should've had it towed immediately after so much time had gone by. I've watched all of GA's videos on MMDA Spec Ops and they've done it before - towed a car with the driver in it coz he refused to show his license and refused to get off the car. Why? He didn't have his license with him and he had a shotgun underneath his seat.

VIDEO URL (courtesy of Gadget Addict): https://youtu.be/PyK4HkHcKsE



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DESTINED TO BE AN AVENGING ANGEL?

The “Avenging Angel" is seen by David to stand "between the earth and the heaven, with a drawn sword in his hand stretched out against Israel's enemies.” There has never been, and there will never be, another president like Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. Nobody had, or will ever have, the courage to go against criminals, big business interests and the oligarchy – like Duterte has. The 1% elite, backed by the upper middle class who dream of membership into the club, have always had their way - before The Punisher came and ruffled their neatly-pressed feathers.

Let’s hope that the institutions and policies that he’ll establish during his term will be carried on by someone or by a party who believes the same ideals that he sought to promote.


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PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE ONCE OFFERED ME HIS HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE

“Rodrigo Roa Duterte is officially the country’s 16th president. But for what it’s worth, allow me to recall an experience with the man a few years ago that convinced me he should be the one to hold the top government post of the land.”

To say the guy’s reputation preceded him is an understatement. Back then, he was already popular for bringing back order to the once-chaotic Davao City. Whether his policies were appropriate is still subject for debate, but they were effective.

Tourism Malaysia officials accompanied us on this trip, and they requested me for some photos of Digong visiting the Sepang Circuit for promotional use. No problem, I reckoned. Plus, I supposed I would have the chance to meet one of the most colorful personalities in Philippine politics as well.

We finally caught up with Duterte in Kuala Lumpur. It was lunchtime and we were brought to a lakeside restaurant. He handed his calling card, and I swear it was like the scene from the movie Bedazzled, in which Elizabeth Hurley hands over her “The Devil” calling card to Brendan Fraser. His immaculately white card only had his name and the title “Vice Mayor” written on it. Not making this stuff up!

"Do you ride?" he asked. “Because I have an extra Harley-Davidson I want to dispose of."

As it turned out, he wasn't joking, despite the smirk that followed his query. He really was looking for someone to take the Harley motorbike from his hands because he hardly got to ride it.

"Just take it if you want it," he added.

Now, I had ridden a motorcycle when I was 12. I had also taken a 400cc bike around the block, but for me to say yes to a Harley? That would have been way beyond my league. So I politely declined the offer.

Lesson learned from the encounter? The next time Rodrigo Duterte says something, take him seriously for it. The Harley motorbike went to some other guy; let's just say he's grinning from ear to ear right now.

Photos and article for Topgear Philippines by Mikko David
Topgear Philippines article: https://www.topgear.com.ph/features/columns/the-drive-by-shooter/duterte-at-motogp-race-a29-20160630


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SEN. DICK GORDON TO LASCAÑAS: FOOL ME ONCE, SHAME ON YOU; FOOL ME TWICE, SHAME ON ME!

It was apt that Sen. Richard Gordon refused to re-open the Senate inquiry on alleged Extrajudicial Killings (EJKs) on account of a witness’ “recantation” – because SPO2 Arthur Lascañas has shown that he has 0% credibility. His 180-deg. turn from his previous testimony, after being under the wings of the Catholic church - known staunch critics of Pres. Duterte’s war on drugs, casts shadow on his motivations.

Sen. Ping Lacson may not have a choice if the committee on peace and order that he chairs opens an inquiry on the matter. Liberal Party senators will likely see to that. It’s all about media mileage, although it is highly doubtful that they can muster the same hype that Congressman Umali’s committee hearings on the NBP drug trade and that Sen. Gordon’s committee hearings got on the so-called EJKs. Sen. Gordon’s committee findings after the hearings was “dead-on” (no pun intended) – that there was no gov’t-sponsored systematic liquidation of drug-trade personalities like Sens. Trillanes and De Lima would like us to believe. It’s simply a publicity stunt by both (limelight-hugging) public figures and Liberal Party (LP) agents.

Thanks to Sen. JV Ejercito’s probing in today’s Senate hearing on peace and order, SPO2 Lascañas admitted that after his retirement, he attempted to peddle “influence” in order to further or to establish businesses with friends in Davao and nationwide – all four attempts resulted to being turned down by various gov’t officials. This is clear enough motive that Lascañas wanted to get back at his former boss. Sen. Ping Lacson quickly insinuated that Lascañas may have felt bitter for his misfortunes.

If there’s a proliferation of “fake news” then Sen. Trillanes may be one of the biggest contributors, veiling them as “exposés” but may actually be just instruments of his “psy-ops” designed to create as much trouble as possible for his political foes. This may be how he views them that’s why he feels shameless. It is not surprising that even legitimate media is picking up the hype – controversy makes news more interesting. Unfortunately, controversial news means better viewership. Nothing like it sells better. That is why media personalities resorts to sprinkling gasoline on fire just so that they can keep it burning and people interested.


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DENR SEC. GINA LOPEZ’S LEGACY: A TRUE-BLUE CRUSADE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND FOR OUR FUTURE

Sec. Gina Lopez of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, a renowned crusader herself even before being tapped by Pres. Duterte to head the agency, has taken “baby steps” to help ensure that local mining operations are kept in check by closing down or suspending operations of several big mining outfits after an initial audit. Now the more difficult work begins – ensuring that these mining firms comply to strict environmental laws and high-end mining operational standards before they can even resume operations. If they comply and resume operation, strict monitoring should be in place to ensure that they remain compliant and if they don’t – suspend them again or close them permanently. For areas that are at risk of unrecoverable deterioration due to further mining, selective permanent mining ban should be implemented.

Big mining firms have already stepped up their publicity and legal campaign (not surprisingly) against Sec. Gina Lopez’s laudable actions, even using mine workers and their families to do their bidding. What the majority of Filipinos are beginning to realize though, is that while it is unfortunate that these families may lose their livelihoods – they’re just pawns being used by business goliaths who continue to rape and pillage our environment to feed their insatiable greed. Gov’t should set into motion alternative livelihood projects for these affected communities in order to cushion the unavoidable impact.

The news over the weekend of an environment activist, Atty. Mia Manuelita Mascarinas-Green, being killed is alarming. The killing is the 12th since Pres. Duterte took office 7 months ago, on top of another 100 murders of environmental activists 15 years before that. Justice for such crimes must be swift and unforgiving. Like in the case of Dr. Gerry Ortega, the masterminds must be brought to justice. This type of terrorism against environmental heroes should never be allowed to prosper.

During his first SONA Pres. Duterte described Sec. Gina Lopez as a crusader (like him) and that is how he knew that she was right for the job as DENR head. And that is why she should be able to count on the President’s all-out support. For the first time in Philippine history, we may have someone who’s willing to butt heads with mining’s errant players and make a mark on the preservation of our country’s (once very) rich but fast-eroding natural resources by taking steps to help ensure compliance to strict environmental standards.


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TWO SENATORS ALLEGE THAT “FAKE NEWS” THREATENS NAT’L SECURITY AND WANT THE ISSUE PROBED: ARE THEY JUST “SOUR GRAPING”?

Have “fake news” and “trolls” made such an alarming impact on swaying people’s hearts and minds that the two senators are now making a fuss over it? How is the issue any different from a candidate who’s waging psy-ops to defeat an opponent on the election campaign trail? How can it amount into a so-called “national security” concern? During the EDSA Revolt, former Pres. Ramos made announcements or “fake news” on defections of military units who haven’t actually turned on the Marcoses in order to encourage other units to follow suit – and we were quick to dismissed it as a valid means of waging psychological warfare.

Battles for the people’s hearts and minds have been fought over and over again for a long time – only the methods have changed due to today’s interconnected world. Information gets around faster and wider. Those who take better advantage of it gets to bring home the trophy.

If you’re a public figure and you’re caught lying or fabricating “facts”, your credibility should suffer and you should be deemed untrustworthy and unfit for public adulation. Because as a public figure, the bar should always be set higher. The two senators should direct their concerns to their colleague who has a penchant in “explosive exposés” that he claims to have come from “reliable” intelligence sources (grapevine or gossip mills, more likely). So, is the “misinformation” the two senators are alleging systematic or orchestrated or just a confluence of ideas from unsuspecting, ordinary netizens?

Legitimate news organizations will always tip the scale in the information highway. People will always find out what the real news are. They should be worried about what people choose to think or do with the real news. Perhaps they’re on the receiving end of the people’s unfavorable choice that’s keeping the two senators at the edge of their seats.


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NOW THAT PHILIPPINES IS COZYING UP TO RUSSIA AND CHINA, U.S. ASSETS AND ALLIES WILL TRY TO OUST PRES. DUTERTE BY DISCREDITING HIM LOCALLY AND ABROAD

It won’t be a surprise if the article of The Guardian in UK that claimed Pres. Duterte is out of control in his drug war is a U.S. asset-instigated attempt to oust him by discrediting him abroad. Since the crusading Philippine leader started cozying up to long-time U.S. adversaries Russia and China, even “expelling” U.S. troops from the Philippines by terminating their joint military exercises – the U.S. has been trying to discredit his leadership locally and internationally. It is not about human rights or Pres. Duterte’s drug war – because the U.S. is the no. 1 human rights violator, they’re just good at disguising their wars as righteous crusades – it is all about protecting their interests in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia.

The U.S. invaded Iraq on the pretense of seizing WMDs (Weapons of Mass Destruction) but none was ever found and proof of its non-existence was known by the U.S. even before the invasion. The U.S. even claimed that Pres. Saddam Hussein committed genocide by gassing his opponents – no proof of mass murder at the scale they alleged was ever established. That’s because the U.S. took Iraq for its oil reserves – a documentary film that aired on ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) showed how big U.S. oil companies siphoned off unquantifiable amounts of oil (they are still doing this today) from Iraq that began after their takeover.

It is all about perception – of the thousands of reported deaths related to the current drug war, only about 25% is the result of police or gov’t operations – the rest are drug operators “cleaning” their ranks or “tying-up loose ends” so these can’t be considered extrajudicial killings (EJK) but deaths under investigation (DUI). The U.S. and its allies or assets would like us to think that the killings are all gov’t-sponsored.

Why won’t the U.S. and its allies leave the Philippines alone like what Russia, China and most of its Asian neighbors do? Why won’t they mind their own business? It is because the U.S. and its allies have vast, decades-old economic, political and military interests in the Philippines and they want to be assured that any Philippine leader is well within their sphere of influence so that these interests will be protected no matter what.



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PROs AND CONs OF DOING BUSINESS IN MALABON CITY: SPEEDY “ONE-STOP-SHOP” PERMIT RENEWAL BUT 2017 FEES HIKED BY UP TO A WHOPPING 40%

It is not the renowned pancit or the seasonal flooding. It is that Malabon City has become one of the most expensive places to do business in a drastic and prohibitive move for 2017 by Mayor Len-Len Oreta. Compared to Makati City, where a business grossing P120K/yr. pays only P6,000, Malabon City’s skyrocketed from P9,000 in 2016 to a whopping P13,500 for the 2017 renewal for the same grossed amount and business type! Many small and medium-sized business owners were surprised (and shocked) and were questioning the sudden and enormous increase.

This unprecedented and unreasonable move by Mayor Len-Len Oreta and his administrators overshadowed Malabon City’s more-improved, speedier “one-stop-shop” system that gives business owners a chance to renew business permits within a day. In fairness to Mayor Oreta, “one-stop-shop” system has been in Malabon City for the past 2-3 years (less-improved versions of it, that is) - even before Pres. Duterte’s marching orders (during his first SONA) to local and national executives to make doing business renewals and other bureaucratic processes less inconvenient and speedier for Filipinos.

It is questionable how Makati City, one of the richest cities in the Philippines, levies a lot less on its small businesses than Malabon City. Makati City have all the big businesses, yes, but to take it out “across the board” in Malabon City – even on small and medium-sized businesses that gross only P120K/yr. - really? Considering these colossal fees, Malabon City residents should be getting more in terms of services and benefits than Makati residents, but are they? They certainly aren’t.

Pres. Duterte’s Davao City is renowned to be a model for efficiency in bureaucratic service, could their rates be as low as Makati City’s or as prohibitive as Malabon City’s?



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P23.3 BILLION IN UNCHANGED OLD BILLS: BSP MUST DEFER TIMELINE BY ANOTHER 1-2 YEARS OR NOT DEMONETIZED AT ALL

Did you know that the U.S. doesn’t demonetize their old bills even if the new ones have more security features? There is even a law in the US prohibiting demonetization http://www.philstar.com/business/2015/12/13/1532033/demonetization-demonization). Then why is it that the Philippines’ Central Bank (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas or BSP) is demonetizing Philippine currency given its findings that up to date, Dec. 28, 2016, over P23.3 BILLION is still in circulation or hasn’t been replaced?

In retrospect, BSP launched its information drive to demonetize the previous design in 2014, wherein it was announced that 2015 will be the last year that it will be a legal tender and 2016 will be the year banks can change them. It seemed that it was reasonable enough time for the public to have their hard-earned money changed, right? Wrong. Assuming that a few millions were destroyed or lost or damaged irreparably – over P2O BILLION isn’t an insignificant amount and it probably affects hundreds of thousands if not millions of unwitting victims to demonetization!

Apparently, a great number of our “kababayans” may still have huge sums of cash in jars or tin cans, which is not an unusual practice among older and/or rural folks who still consider keeping their hard-earned savings in cash at home. Obviously, the BSP’s information drive hasn’t reach everyone and may be considered less than a complete success. The BSP should defer the demonetization for at least another year or so and intensify yet its info drive until the figures are down to a few million pesos (still in circulation).



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FIGHT TOBACCO LOBBYING: GOV’T SHOULD QUADRUPLE OR MORE “SIN TAXES” ON CIGARETTES

Smoking tobacco (or cigarette) kills – this is a fact. Worse, it doesn’t affect just the smoker but those who inhale the unfiltered, “second-hand” smoke, too. So why haven’t governments, specifically ours, banned its use?

One reason may be that some in government are already addicted to smoking and have sympathies with the vice. Another is the powerful lobbying by big tobacco manufacturers, sellers and growers (lobbying can take many forms such as persuasion, coercion and/or bribery). The latter is the more probable and more compelling.

Considering these, banning may be unrealistic to hope for. But raising “sin taxes” on these potentially deadly products shouldn’t even be a problem. Powerful tobacco lobbyists might argue that higher levies on tobacco products will only hit the poorest of society because they’re the ones who won’t be able to afford the exorbitant prices – but that’s exactly the point, right? We’re trying to save as many as we could of those who fall victim to this deadly and addictive habit – including (and more importantly) their “second-hand” smoke’s unwitting victims.

On the other hand, those who can still afford the product should rightfully be shelling out more in taxes so that generated revenues may be put into measures that actively deal with “second-hand” smoke issues and other consequential problems.


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THE BALANGIGA BELLS: U.S. TROPHY FOR THE MASSACRE OF INNOCENT FILIPINO CIVILIANS?

The Balangiga Massacre DOES NOT refer to the legitimate ambush made by Filipino freedom fighters against the surprised U.S. Army company at Balangiga, Samar in Sept. 28, 1901. This raid resulted in the deaths of 48 and wounding of 22 American soldiers. The Balangiga Massacre is the ruthless butchering of unspecified number of innocent Filipino civilians as revenge killing for that valid ambush (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balangiga_massacre, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balangiga_bells).

The U.S. Army took the Balangiga Bells as war trophies after their men, on orders of Gen. Jacob H. Smith, massacred innocent Filipino civilian males aged 10 and older. Shame on Americans or anyone who may think that such an INGLORIOUS act should be perpetuated in the memories of past and future generations. There is nothing honorable or moral about what your soldiers did.

What the Filipino freedom fighters did is a legitimate conduct of combat (in war time), but what Gen. Smith ordered was no less than a criminal and dastardly act – ordering American soldiers to murder Filipino civilians in cold blood and turn Samar into a “howling wilderness”.

Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III already authored a Senate Resolution 393 in 2002 urging the Arroyo administration to negotiate the return of the Bells. Let us urge Sen. Pimentel III., who is now the Senate President, to pursue efforts to have the United States return the Balangiga Bells to us. We can write Sen. Pimentel III through his office’s Facebook account or through his Senate office.


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THE ANATOMY OF U.S.-SPONSORED FAILED STATES: THE U.S. IS AT IT AGAIN IN THE CASE OF SYRIA

Iraq, Libya and now Syria – the U.S. brand of “democracy” obviously isn’t working for certain cultures and peoples so that is why these countries are now failed states or on their way to becoming one. Warlordism has become of Iraq and Libya but thanks to Russia, most of Syria hasn’t gone to that yet.

For a long time, Col. Muammar Khadafy ruled with an iron fist in Libya and so did Pres. Saddam Hussein over Iraq. There may have been ruthlessness and abuses committed, but each dictator held together their people as a nation. But as the world knows now, U.S.-style “democracy” may not be suitable for some cultures. In fact, in some cultures, benevolent dictatorships may have been a necessity rather than a choice.

Did you know that Saudi Arabia and Jordan have some of the longest-ruling authoritarian regimes in the world? Saudis have rare local (municipal-level only) elections but the national gov’t is run with an iron fist by absolute monarchy. Jordan have national elections but the Senate is appointed by the King. Their secret to success? The U.S. needs their alliance for regional stability and they’re willing to give it. So even if they rule with ruthlessness, the U.S. looks the other way.

The U.S. and western powers had always considered and will always consider their self-interests first before they do for Iraqis, Libyans or Syrians or anyone else. “Liberate”, take and leave. This is what they did to Iraq and Libya, and if Russia hasn’t step in to help Pres. Bashar al-Assad, this is what they’d probably done to Syria, too. Of course, Russia will likely also benefit from their partnership with the Assad regime, but at least Syria won’t disintegrate into warlordism and chaos.


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P18.9 BILLION FOR FA-50 FIGHTER JETS FOR PAF: A WASTE OF MONEY

Pres. Duterte scored a bulls-eye in saying that the money spent for the 12 FA-50 jets purchased by the last administration could have been used to buy helicopters or boats that we can use for our internal security problems. For the amount, our Air Force could have gained more choppers and/or small, fast boats for our Coast Guard so that they can pursue terrorists and bandits over land or over sea.

In his speech before local mayors, he divulged that now the U.S. won’t even sell us ammunition for these fighters. What? Why did ex-Pres. Aquino get these very expensive but useless military hardware anyway if the U.S. can “yank our chain” and not sell us ammo whenever it pleases them? Fly-bys for ceremonies? Posterity? Show-off? Having the FA-50s is a proud moment, yes, but if you’re on a tight budget, there should have been more important items on the military’s shopping list.

Our Coast Guard needs more small, fast, heavily armed boats to safeguard our over 7,000 islands. More helicopter gunships and transports for the PAF, too. P18.9 Billion would have come a long way in trying to satisfy these more pressing needs of our Armed Forces. Besides, these vehicles can also be used to help our people in times of calamity, too. Try ferrying people out of danger zones using FA-50 fighters.


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PNP SAF DOING A GREAT JOB AT NBP

The PNP Special Action Force (SAF) is doing a great job at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP). I watched over DZMM TeleRadyo that visitors of inmates at the NBP are complaining that they are being asked to strip for searches, being asked to surrender cash and valuables, etc. before they can see the inmates. But these are Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for secured facilities like prisons – are they saying that the old jail guards weren’t doing these procedures before? If they’re not used to these SOP then it can only mean that the old jail guards weren’t doing their job.

Since we all know that PNP SAF posting at NBP is temporary, let’s hope that the Department of Corrections (DOC) personnel who will be assigned to replace them are not the same corrupt bunch that were relieved in the first place. I was worried about Dept. of Justice (DOJ) Sec. Vitaliano Aguirre II’s pronouncement when he relieved them that “they will undergo retraining”. How do you “retrain” a corrupt jail guard anyhow?

I think that more important than giving another chance to a personnel who erred in his/her ways is putting in place a system that minimizes opportunities for corruption and penalizing harshly those who get caught. Of course, getting this new system to work will still be up to the DOC’s top management.

I can’t imagine how large amounts of drugs, arms and other luxury and other illegal items got into the NBP without top management knowing about it. IT SIMPLY DOESN’T MAKE SENSE. Former DOJ Sec. (and not Sen.) Leila De Lima should have axed top officials (and rank and file) after her so-called “raids” exposed this fact – if not for corruption, for gross incompetence. Since no such “mass layoffs” and prosecution was made by her, it makes me want to think that she’s in on it, too.

To the PNP Special Action Force (SAF): CONGRATULATIONS for a job well done at the NBP. Carry on!


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SEN. MANNY PACQUIAO AND SEN. TITO SOTTO: WE SHOULD LISTEN TO WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY

I was able to catch a glimpse of the first day of the much talked about Senate hearing on the so-called Extra-Judicial Killings (EJK) and it is interesting to note the responses made by Sen. Tito Sotto and Sen. Manny Pacquiao. I must admit that maybe because they’re not lawyers or PhDs or the like I didn’t have high expectations.

Much to my surprise, the two Senators posed some of the most interesting (and sensible) questions. Sen. Tito Sotto asked a resource person whose husband and father-in-law got killed inside a police station, "What is the penalty for Kara Crus? Isn’t that a minor offense? Why would your husband give such a big amount (P20,000) as “areglo” (bribe) for a minor offense?"

And then Sen. Manny Pacquiao pointed out, “Kung sabi nyo po na P300 a day lang ang kinikita ng mister nyo sa pagtu-tulak, saan nyo po kinuha ng napakabilis yung P20,000 at yung P10,000 na binigay nyo sa mga umanong nangikil na mga pulis” (If you said that your husband only earns P300 daily for pushing drugs, how did you come up with P20,000 and P10,000 so quickly for the alleged extorting cops?).

Simple, direct and sensible questions from two Senators who appear to be simple, direct but very sensible persons, right? From now on, I’m inclined to listen to what they have to say.


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RH LAW IS PRO-LIFE, PRO-POOR AND PRO-PROGRESS: FAMILY PLANNING IS A MUST FOR POVERTY ALLEVIATION

president duterte to implement family planning or rh law of 2012 to help alleviate philippines' massive poverty
Why do the poorest have some of the largest families? Perhaps because they didn't know any better. Implementing the RH LAW of 2012 will result to informed choices and will greatly benefit this sector of Philippine society.

Over-population or high fertility rate is a common factor in underdeveloped or “developing” countries. In fact, all developed nations have low fertility rate that some have zero or negative population growth.

But in developed nations, too, there are significantly less practicing or devout Catholics. This is probably why the Philippines's Roman Catholic Church is holding us back – it wouldn’t allow government to implement an effective population control program and no president has been able to do this for fear of losing their flock’s vote. According to statistics, devoutness is prevalent among the poorer countries - it seems that people in rich nations don’t have the time or the need for it. This is what scares the bejesus out of the clergy.

President Rodrigo Duterte has voiced out the need to stem our alarmingly growing population and I’m glad that he is determined to do this. Family planning will benefit those that suffer most from the lack of it – the poorest families tend to be those who have 5 to 14 members (believe it or not).

SHAME ON YOU, Sen. Tito Sotto, Sen. Loren Legarda and other senators who’ve applied pressure on the past administration and those who intend to pressure the current administration to back down from implementing the RH Law of 2012. You already know the facts but you’re willing to look the other way because you’re too eager for the blessing of the Roman Catholic Church.

As early as decades ago, Pres. Duterte has already seen too many Davaoeños who were suffering from poverty that is compounded by their oversized families (because they did not know any better) – that’s why Davao has the best family planning program in the country today.

I hope that Pres. Duterte becomes successful in implementing the same for the entire country within the next few years and it will be an enduring legacy whose beneficiaries will be the next generations of Filipinos.