By Yesu Ben
August 2018
Our country cannot be governed from NCR only.
Local Governments must govern the localities. We have a current Local Government Code, which was created by the older Pimentel when he realized that a ChaCha during his time cannot happen. It is a good law but it requires further improvement. Nene knows that it has some flaws and he preferred federalism that is why he is working for Duterte’s Federalism as well.
The distribution of powers is the most important aspect of Federalism. The distribution of powers need to be detailed in a new constitution. But this can happen only if the old (Cory’s) constitution is first abrogated or repealed and the new one adopted.
The distribution of powers will increase the automony of the local government or federated region. How power (Judicial, Executive and Legislative) is shared varies from country to country according to their perceived needs. In our country right now, we have at least 3 drafts for a proposed constitution: The Centrist, the PDPs, and the ConCom’s.
In our current unitary system of government, we have local governments but they have little or no automony because their powers were not defined in the consitution but only in a Local Government Code. The Central Government retains the power to dissolve a local government and to delegate leaders or to have elections for local leaders as it deems necessary. Thus local governments in a unitary system do not have a constitutionally defined and protected sovereignty. In a Federal system, the constitution itself will afford regional federated states with protection as well as jurisdiction over a range of policies.
An ideal federalism will have a written, rigid constitution that guarantees permanence and independence to its regions as well as an enhanced complement of powers, these powers being enumerated in the Constitution. Each federated region will have their own Constitutions that empowers their government to the local level.
Except for Constitutionally defined powers which are retained by the central government (such as powers over rebellion, disaster relief), a Regional (fed) Constitution is further assurance that the central government is discouraged from expanding its jurisdiction over them thus buttressing or restricting its autonomy.
Some countries begin as a Hybrid federalism evolving in time to full federalism – Spain and Belgium for instance.
The following are examples of Federalized Countries as defined by their Constitutions: The United States, Switzerland, Australia, Germany, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, India, and Russia.
In the case of Russia, the Communist Party has powers that practically gives its federalism a unitary character. Spain and Italy have hybrid forms but Italy is more unitary.
Executive Powers
In the Philippines, we have a republican presidential state as of the present. Other countries that are not republican, such as those with a monarchy, the monarchs like Kings or Queens, such as in the UK, have no important powers but remain as titular heads of their countries.
Monarchies usually have a parliamentary form of government headed by a prime minister. IN MY PERSONAL OPINION, the British form can be adopted by us but instead of a monarch, the President becomes the titular head. I propose that we adopt a Federal Parliamentary Unicameral Form of Government.
The President in the hybrid British form, must consult with the parliament on matters that may affect the country. He will not have extensive powers like the current President. He becomes the head of state but not of the government. Being titular head, he becomes a symbol of the people’s unity.
In the current Presidential system, the President is elected by the public separately from the members of the house. He heads the government as well as the state. He has the power to select his cabinet members with final approval from the Commission on Appointments.
The President’s powers are constitutionally mandated. He has the power to veto or sign into law proposed bills passed by the Legislative. His constitutional removal for specific crimes and misdemeanors, is by impeachment by a majority of the house members .
The Cabinet may in no instance serve in congress. The legislature can either be unicameral with only one chamber or bi-cameral with a senate and a lower house (2 chambers). Denmark, Sweden, New Zealand, Israel, Finland, Malta are a few unicameral countries.
The US however has a bi-cameral system. A unitary form of government does not necessary mean a unicameral form but people tend to confuse the two. So it is necessary to distinguish both terms. Even with a chamber that is stronger over the other, a bicameral system does not become uni-cameral.
In a Parliamentary system, the Prime Minister holds office only so long as he has the support of the majority of the Parliament (house). If there is no longer support, he must either resign or is removed to give a new PM the chance to take his reins. The Prime minister and his cabinet are responsible for the cabinet thus there can be no gridlocks and no senate. There are other reasons but these two are foremost.
Source: FB
"Ang taong hindi marunong magmahal sa kanyang sariling WIKA ay masahol pa sa isang malansang isda" ~ Dr Jose P Rizal
Sunday, August 19, 2018
PAG-IBIG SA TINUBUANG LUPA
Ni Andres Bonifacio
Aling pag-ibig pa ang hihigit kaya
Sa pagkadalisay at pagkadakila
Gaya ng pag-ibig sa Tinubuang lupa?
Aling pag-ibig pa? Wala na nga, wala.
Pagpupuring lubos ang palaging hangad
Sa bayan ng taong may dangal na ingat,
Umawit, tumula, kumanta't sumulat,
Kalakhan din niya'y isinisiwalat.
Walang mahalagang hindi inihandog
Ng may pusong mahal sa Bayang nagkupkop,
Dugo, yaman, dunong, katiisa't pagod,
Buhay ma'y abuting magkalagut-lagot.
Bakit? Alin ito na sakdal ng laki,
Na hinahandugan ng buong pagkasi,
Na sa lalong mahal nakapangyayari,
At ginugulan ng buhay na iwi?
Ito'y ang Inang Bayang tinubuan:
Siya'y ina't tangi sa kinamulatan
Ng kawili-wiling liwanang ng araw
Na nagbigay-init sa buong katawan.
Kalakip din nito'y pag-ibig sa Bayan,
Ang lahat ng lalong sa gunita'y mahal,
Mula sa masaya'y gasong kasanggulan
Hanggang sa katawa'y mapasa-libingan.
Sa aba ng abang mawalay sa bayan!
Gunita ma'y laging sakbibi ng lumbay,
Walang alaala't inaasa-asam
Kundi ang makita'y lupang tinubuan.
Pati ng magdusa'y sampung kamatayan
Wari ay masarap kung dahil sa bayan
At lalong mahirap. Oh, himalang bagay!
Lalong pag-irog pa ang sa kanya'y alay.
Kung ang bayang ito'y masasa-panganib
At siya ay dapat na ipagtangkilik,
Ang anak, asawa, magulang, kapatid;
Isang tawag niya'y tatalikdang pilit.
Hayo na nga, hayo, kayong nangabuhay
Sa pag-asang lubos ng kaginhawahan
At walang tinamo kundi kapaitan,
Hayo na't ibangon ang naabang bayan!
Kayong nalagasan ng bunga't bulaklak
Ng kahoy ng buhay na nilanta't sukat,
Ng bala-balaki't makapal na hirap,
Muling manariwa't sa baya'y lumiyag.
Ipahandug-handog ang buong pag-ibig
At hanggang may dugo'y ubusing itigis;
kung sa pagtatanggol, buhay ay mapatid,
Ito'y kapalaran at tunay na langit!
Bio: KKK Founder
Source: Ethel Pineda
FB, August 19, 2018
Aling pag-ibig pa ang hihigit kaya
Sa pagkadalisay at pagkadakila
Gaya ng pag-ibig sa Tinubuang lupa?
Aling pag-ibig pa? Wala na nga, wala.
Pagpupuring lubos ang palaging hangad
Sa bayan ng taong may dangal na ingat,
Umawit, tumula, kumanta't sumulat,
Kalakhan din niya'y isinisiwalat.
Walang mahalagang hindi inihandog
Ng may pusong mahal sa Bayang nagkupkop,
Dugo, yaman, dunong, katiisa't pagod,
Buhay ma'y abuting magkalagut-lagot.
Bakit? Alin ito na sakdal ng laki,
Na hinahandugan ng buong pagkasi,
Na sa lalong mahal nakapangyayari,
At ginugulan ng buhay na iwi?
Ito'y ang Inang Bayang tinubuan:
Siya'y ina't tangi sa kinamulatan
Ng kawili-wiling liwanang ng araw
Na nagbigay-init sa buong katawan.
Kalakip din nito'y pag-ibig sa Bayan,
Ang lahat ng lalong sa gunita'y mahal,
Mula sa masaya'y gasong kasanggulan
Hanggang sa katawa'y mapasa-libingan.
Sa aba ng abang mawalay sa bayan!
Gunita ma'y laging sakbibi ng lumbay,
Walang alaala't inaasa-asam
Kundi ang makita'y lupang tinubuan.
Pati ng magdusa'y sampung kamatayan
Wari ay masarap kung dahil sa bayan
At lalong mahirap. Oh, himalang bagay!
Lalong pag-irog pa ang sa kanya'y alay.
Kung ang bayang ito'y masasa-panganib
At siya ay dapat na ipagtangkilik,
Ang anak, asawa, magulang, kapatid;
Isang tawag niya'y tatalikdang pilit.
Hayo na nga, hayo, kayong nangabuhay
Sa pag-asang lubos ng kaginhawahan
At walang tinamo kundi kapaitan,
Hayo na't ibangon ang naabang bayan!
Kayong nalagasan ng bunga't bulaklak
Ng kahoy ng buhay na nilanta't sukat,
Ng bala-balaki't makapal na hirap,
Muling manariwa't sa baya'y lumiyag.
Ipahandug-handog ang buong pag-ibig
At hanggang may dugo'y ubusing itigis;
kung sa pagtatanggol, buhay ay mapatid,
Ito'y kapalaran at tunay na langit!
Bio: KKK Founder
Source: Ethel Pineda
FB, August 19, 2018
Sunday, October 29, 2017
THE END OF HAPILON AND MAUTE
16 October 2017
by pinoytrending
The commander of the 8th Scout Ranger Company known as “Destroyer” recounted to the Facebook Fan page Scout Ranger Books, how they successfully neutralized the two infamous terrorist leaders, Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute on Monday.
According to “Destroyer” they did not expect that the group that they’re going to attack was the one led by Maute and Hapilon and they only realized that when they were informed by the hostages that they rescued after the operation.
The operation led by Destroyer started at 7PM yesterday, together with the selected members of Army’s Scout Rangers and several special forces tasked to do the ‘final assault’ in Marawi City.
They made sure that no enemy forces could escape the area so they deployed two units in both sides of the road where the Maute group would possibly pass.
Together with two armored vehicles with thermal capability, the snipers from Scout Ranger patiently waited for the right time until dawn.
Finally, after almost six hours, the scout rangers saw people passing the road that they’re guarding.
The Scout Rangers quickly killed the terrorists who passed the road, but they didn’t know that the two were Omar Maute and Isnilon Hapilon who were planning to escape Marawi that day.
Several members of Maute Terrorist Group attempted to recover the bodies of Hapilon and Maute, but they were prevented by the Scout Rangers who had already surrounded the area where Hapilon and Maute were terminated.
When sunrise came, the Scout Rangers together with the armored vehicles assaulted the area where the bodies of Hapilon and Maute were located to recover the bodies of the two terrorist leaders.
After they successfully secured the area, several hostages of the terrorist group were rescued and they informed the soldiers that they had successfully killed Omar Maute and Isnilon Hapilon.
“sir, sina Isnilon Hapilon at Omar Maute ang mga napatay niyo.” the rescued hostages told the members of Scout Ranger.
The soldiers led by “Destroyer” started to scream in joy after they were informed that they had already neutralized the people who started the bloody Marawi Siege.
The bodies of Omar Maute and Isnilon Hapilon would be subjected to DNA testing, according to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
This was the whole story posted by Scout Ranger Books:
Mula kay “Destroyer,” ang commander ng 8th Scout Ranger Company na nakatama kina Isnilon Hapilon at Omar Maute, ito ang mga huling oras ng dalawang notorious na terorista: Alam ng Scout Rangers at ibang units na sumusuporta sa kanila na cordon na nila ang isang grupo ng terorista pero di nila alam na sina Hapilon ito.
Alas siyete ng gabi, nag deploy ng 1 team ng Scout Rangers sa dulo ng kalsada, sa may likod ng block. Kasama nila ang isang armored vehicle na may thermal capability. Isa pang team nag deploy naman sa kabilang dulo ng kalsada na pwede rin nila takasan at ganun din, may armored vehicle din. Alam nila na mag attempt tatakas ang mga terorista kaya nag abang ng nag abang ang mga Rangers.
Hanggang 1:30 ng madaling araw, may tumawid. E alerto ang Ranger, boom kunana. Tumba ang isang terorista. Di nila alam, si Omar Maute na pala yun.
E may pasilip silip pa din, akmang tatawid. Boom kunana, galing naman sa secondary weapon ng armored vehicle.
Tumba din. Di rin alam ng Rangers na yun na pala si Isnilon Hapilon. Madaling araw, inattempt ng mga kasama ng dalawang terorista na i recover ang mga katawan ng dalawang tumba na kasama nila. E nilamayan ng Rangers. Kada may lumapit, pitikan.
Pagliwanag, mabilisan na plano, para kunin ang dalawang bangkay na naitumba nila. Sa isang napaka daring na move, na pang action movie mo lang makita, pinasok ng mga Rangers kasama ang armored vehicles at mabilis na nakuha ang dalawang bangkay.
Maya maya, naglalabasan na mga babaeng hostages. Tinakbo nila at sinabi: “sir, sina Isnilon Hapilon at Omar Maute ang mga napatay niyo.” Hiyawan, sigawan lahat ng tropa! Di nila akalain na natumba na pala nila ang dalawang leader ng mga terorista.
Diyan natapos ang kasamaan ni Hapilon at Maute. (Special request ni “Destroyer” na itong picture ng “Destroyer” building ang ilagay sa kuwento na ito. Very memorable sa 8SRC ito dahil nakuha nila nung July pa ito at a very heavy cost — halos nahati ang kumpanya nila sa dami ng wounded at namatayan pa sila. At siyempre, team effort ang pagkakuha kina Hapilon. Special recognition sa mga units na kasama ng 8SRC na nag cordon sa block na ikinamatayan nina Hapilon.)
The post of Scout Ranger Books went viral and gained thousands of praises from the netizens who were amazed by the braveness of the soldiers who risked their lives just to end the war in Marawi City that started five months ago.
“Sana alam ng ating hukbo kung gaano kayo hinahangaan ng mga Pilipino. At sana malaman rin ng ating hukbo na laging nagdadasal ang mga Pilipino para sa inyo. Pride namin ang katapangan ninyo. Dalangin namin ang kaligtasan ninyo. At Pangarap namin ang natutupad dahil sa inyong sakripisyo. Maraming salamat sa inyong kabayanihan.” Abe Dano said after reading the story published by Scout Ranger Books.
“Good job AFP and to our commander in chief Pres.Duterte.” Netizen Jan Kirkuk remarked.
Netizen DjKnight Notarion also expressed his happiness that justice has already been served to his cousin PFC Marjun Maribao Edano who got killed in action during the Marawi Siege.
“Kahit papaano, nabigyan ng hustisya pagkakadisgrasya ng pinsang buo kong SR sa Marawi. Rest well PFC Marjun Maribao Edaño. Naipaghiganti ka na ng mga katropa mo. Till we meet again insan!”
On Monday, the government announced that Omar Maute and Isnilon Hapilon were killed by the members of the AFP.
However, several members of Maute terrorist group both local and foreigner were still in Marawi City.
Since clashes between state forces and the Maute group erupted about 5 months ago, about 753 terrorists have been killed. At least 47 civilians and 155 soldiers also died in the conflict. Thousands were forced to evacuate.
President Duterte vowed to rehabilitate Marawi City when the siege is over.
They did not published any photo conducted during the operation that killed Omar Maute and Isnilon Hapilon so commander Destroyer requested to use the photo that taken during their successful operation in July because that is one of the most memorable and hardest operation that they conducted.
During that operation, almost half of them were wounded and some of them were killed.
Source: Scout Ranger Books.
by pinoytrending
The commander of the 8th Scout Ranger Company known as “Destroyer” recounted to the Facebook Fan page Scout Ranger Books, how they successfully neutralized the two infamous terrorist leaders, Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute on Monday.
According to “Destroyer” they did not expect that the group that they’re going to attack was the one led by Maute and Hapilon and they only realized that when they were informed by the hostages that they rescued after the operation.
The operation led by Destroyer started at 7PM yesterday, together with the selected members of Army’s Scout Rangers and several special forces tasked to do the ‘final assault’ in Marawi City.
They made sure that no enemy forces could escape the area so they deployed two units in both sides of the road where the Maute group would possibly pass.
Together with two armored vehicles with thermal capability, the snipers from Scout Ranger patiently waited for the right time until dawn.
Finally, after almost six hours, the scout rangers saw people passing the road that they’re guarding.
The Scout Rangers quickly killed the terrorists who passed the road, but they didn’t know that the two were Omar Maute and Isnilon Hapilon who were planning to escape Marawi that day.
Several members of Maute Terrorist Group attempted to recover the bodies of Hapilon and Maute, but they were prevented by the Scout Rangers who had already surrounded the area where Hapilon and Maute were terminated.
When sunrise came, the Scout Rangers together with the armored vehicles assaulted the area where the bodies of Hapilon and Maute were located to recover the bodies of the two terrorist leaders.
After they successfully secured the area, several hostages of the terrorist group were rescued and they informed the soldiers that they had successfully killed Omar Maute and Isnilon Hapilon.
“sir, sina Isnilon Hapilon at Omar Maute ang mga napatay niyo.” the rescued hostages told the members of Scout Ranger.
The soldiers led by “Destroyer” started to scream in joy after they were informed that they had already neutralized the people who started the bloody Marawi Siege.
The bodies of Omar Maute and Isnilon Hapilon would be subjected to DNA testing, according to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
This was the whole story posted by Scout Ranger Books:
Mula kay “Destroyer,” ang commander ng 8th Scout Ranger Company na nakatama kina Isnilon Hapilon at Omar Maute, ito ang mga huling oras ng dalawang notorious na terorista: Alam ng Scout Rangers at ibang units na sumusuporta sa kanila na cordon na nila ang isang grupo ng terorista pero di nila alam na sina Hapilon ito.
Alas siyete ng gabi, nag deploy ng 1 team ng Scout Rangers sa dulo ng kalsada, sa may likod ng block. Kasama nila ang isang armored vehicle na may thermal capability. Isa pang team nag deploy naman sa kabilang dulo ng kalsada na pwede rin nila takasan at ganun din, may armored vehicle din. Alam nila na mag attempt tatakas ang mga terorista kaya nag abang ng nag abang ang mga Rangers.
Hanggang 1:30 ng madaling araw, may tumawid. E alerto ang Ranger, boom kunana. Tumba ang isang terorista. Di nila alam, si Omar Maute na pala yun.
E may pasilip silip pa din, akmang tatawid. Boom kunana, galing naman sa secondary weapon ng armored vehicle.
Tumba din. Di rin alam ng Rangers na yun na pala si Isnilon Hapilon. Madaling araw, inattempt ng mga kasama ng dalawang terorista na i recover ang mga katawan ng dalawang tumba na kasama nila. E nilamayan ng Rangers. Kada may lumapit, pitikan.
Pagliwanag, mabilisan na plano, para kunin ang dalawang bangkay na naitumba nila. Sa isang napaka daring na move, na pang action movie mo lang makita, pinasok ng mga Rangers kasama ang armored vehicles at mabilis na nakuha ang dalawang bangkay.
Maya maya, naglalabasan na mga babaeng hostages. Tinakbo nila at sinabi: “sir, sina Isnilon Hapilon at Omar Maute ang mga napatay niyo.” Hiyawan, sigawan lahat ng tropa! Di nila akalain na natumba na pala nila ang dalawang leader ng mga terorista.
Diyan natapos ang kasamaan ni Hapilon at Maute. (Special request ni “Destroyer” na itong picture ng “Destroyer” building ang ilagay sa kuwento na ito. Very memorable sa 8SRC ito dahil nakuha nila nung July pa ito at a very heavy cost — halos nahati ang kumpanya nila sa dami ng wounded at namatayan pa sila. At siyempre, team effort ang pagkakuha kina Hapilon. Special recognition sa mga units na kasama ng 8SRC na nag cordon sa block na ikinamatayan nina Hapilon.)
The post of Scout Ranger Books went viral and gained thousands of praises from the netizens who were amazed by the braveness of the soldiers who risked their lives just to end the war in Marawi City that started five months ago.
“Sana alam ng ating hukbo kung gaano kayo hinahangaan ng mga Pilipino. At sana malaman rin ng ating hukbo na laging nagdadasal ang mga Pilipino para sa inyo. Pride namin ang katapangan ninyo. Dalangin namin ang kaligtasan ninyo. At Pangarap namin ang natutupad dahil sa inyong sakripisyo. Maraming salamat sa inyong kabayanihan.” Abe Dano said after reading the story published by Scout Ranger Books.
“Good job AFP and to our commander in chief Pres.Duterte.” Netizen Jan Kirkuk remarked.
Netizen DjKnight Notarion also expressed his happiness that justice has already been served to his cousin PFC Marjun Maribao Edano who got killed in action during the Marawi Siege.
“Kahit papaano, nabigyan ng hustisya pagkakadisgrasya ng pinsang buo kong SR sa Marawi. Rest well PFC Marjun Maribao Edaño. Naipaghiganti ka na ng mga katropa mo. Till we meet again insan!”
On Monday, the government announced that Omar Maute and Isnilon Hapilon were killed by the members of the AFP.
However, several members of Maute terrorist group both local and foreigner were still in Marawi City.
Since clashes between state forces and the Maute group erupted about 5 months ago, about 753 terrorists have been killed. At least 47 civilians and 155 soldiers also died in the conflict. Thousands were forced to evacuate.
President Duterte vowed to rehabilitate Marawi City when the siege is over.
They did not published any photo conducted during the operation that killed Omar Maute and Isnilon Hapilon so commander Destroyer requested to use the photo that taken during their successful operation in July because that is one of the most memorable and hardest operation that they conducted.
During that operation, almost half of them were wounded and some of them were killed.
Source: Scout Ranger Books.
Digong is not awful. He is awesome.
By Mike Acebedo Lopez
14 October 2017
In case you wonder why I remain loyal to the President in spite of all the awful things leveled at him, here's why.
I've never written about this before but I think it's time that I do.
This photo was taken in December 2015, (sic) sans sleep from the day before when I taped an episode of my show in Cebu, OPEN MIKE, with President Fidel V. Ramos as guest, during a private dinner with then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte. This was in the function room of Mesa Restaurant in SM Lanang, Davao City.
Months before this, before the President decided to run, an extremely wealthy relative of mine asked if I could broker talks with the Davao mayor because he is a distant relative through my grandmother Caridad Duterte Del Mar. I told the relative that I'm not close to him and had met him only a few times before but that I know his trusted aide, Bong Go, and maybe I could try to set a meeting through him.
At the time, I was for Grace Poe who I had worked with in the MTRCB (she's bright, very nice, and full of promise) but also believed we needed someone like Digong at this point in our nation's history; if only he finally decided to run, I thought to myself.
Then came the substitution. He was finally in the running. My problem then was how to tell Grace in person that I've decided to go for Digong. (Whatever your opinion is, that's how I am. I will tell you to your face because I don't want you finding out from other people that I've left you, or worse, that I was "namamangka sa dalawang ilog." That is for cowards.)
I always find myself caught in the middle of things, of people. Telling Grace in person was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do in my entire life; aside from the fact that she was still number one in the surveys then and could have very well become the next President of the Republic, I knew I would break her heart--someone who surely does not deserve it. It's like breaking up with someone you still love, that's probably the closest feeling. But Grace respected my decision which was so big, mature, and magnanimous of her, and so I love her even more.
But this dinner sealed the deal and made me an even stauncher believer of Digong. It helped give me the courage to decide to pick a side.
What happened in that dinner and who was in attendance?
There were only five people in that dinner I arranged with Bong Go: Digong, Bong, Honeylet, the representative of my wealthy relative, and me.
During the dinner, the representative of my wealthy relative (who I will not name because people might just miss the point) offered something most politicians won't be able to refuse.
"Mayor, we will contribute Php2 billion to your campaign. This is all clean."
I was shocked. My relative never said the representative would offer that. I would not have arranged it because I don't like getting involved when people talk about money. Politics, strategy, analyzing intel, yes, sure, let's talk. Money, gosh, that's just bad news.
Turns out the son of a bitch representative was not authorized to offer anything of that sort, but just to assure candidate Duterte of the family's unwavering support and the support of their vast network. The sleazy character used the name of his principal to try to curry favors with Mayor Duterte, but all of these I learned in hindsight when I went to my wealthy relative to frankly say I was embarrassed at that meeting because I was not told there was going to be an offer like that.
I'm not sure if my wealthy relative would have that much to contribute (I doubt it) but anyone hearing his/her representative offer that much would be inclined to believe it because this relative is really famous for being wealthy.
How did Digong react? Surprised. Nanlaki ang mata at the figure given.
"Oi! Ayaw lang... Sabihin mo kay ______, salamat. Pero ayaw lang."
"Pero Mayor, gusto talaga mag bigay," the rep insisted, all while I was still in shock at the offer and the breach of my trust. I don't like being blindsided and this hustler did not brief me about it, to think I set up that dinner meeting.
"Ganito nalang, kung gusto niyo talaga, gawa nalang kayo ng sortie, ng rally, tapos punta nalang ako. Huwag niyo nang ibigay sa'kin 'yung pera. Pero salamat ha."
From shock... I was in awe. Here is a man being offered Php2 billion by the rep of someone who could very well afford it (and is expected to afford it).
At the time he didn't know the rep was merely bluffing and using his principal's reputation to achieve whatever selfish ends, so you'd take the offer at face value like I did, and any other politician offered that much by the rep of this particular person would've accepted it! My God, that's 2 friggin' billion!
Right there is when I witnessed Digong's legendary integrity. To have said no to billions offered to him behind closed doors. Awesome, just awesome.
And so whatever people say, whatever Trillanes says, I will never believe because for me, Digong's integrity is not just a story I was told, it's not just a campaign ad, it's something I experienced for myself. Firsthand. Behind closed doors.
There. I've said it. This is why.
Digong is not awful. He is awesome.
14 October 2017
In case you wonder why I remain loyal to the President in spite of all the awful things leveled at him, here's why.
I've never written about this before but I think it's time that I do.
This photo was taken in December 2015, (sic) sans sleep from the day before when I taped an episode of my show in Cebu, OPEN MIKE, with President Fidel V. Ramos as guest, during a private dinner with then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte. This was in the function room of Mesa Restaurant in SM Lanang, Davao City.
Months before this, before the President decided to run, an extremely wealthy relative of mine asked if I could broker talks with the Davao mayor because he is a distant relative through my grandmother Caridad Duterte Del Mar. I told the relative that I'm not close to him and had met him only a few times before but that I know his trusted aide, Bong Go, and maybe I could try to set a meeting through him.
At the time, I was for Grace Poe who I had worked with in the MTRCB (she's bright, very nice, and full of promise) but also believed we needed someone like Digong at this point in our nation's history; if only he finally decided to run, I thought to myself.
Then came the substitution. He was finally in the running. My problem then was how to tell Grace in person that I've decided to go for Digong. (Whatever your opinion is, that's how I am. I will tell you to your face because I don't want you finding out from other people that I've left you, or worse, that I was "namamangka sa dalawang ilog." That is for cowards.)
I always find myself caught in the middle of things, of people. Telling Grace in person was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do in my entire life; aside from the fact that she was still number one in the surveys then and could have very well become the next President of the Republic, I knew I would break her heart--someone who surely does not deserve it. It's like breaking up with someone you still love, that's probably the closest feeling. But Grace respected my decision which was so big, mature, and magnanimous of her, and so I love her even more.
But this dinner sealed the deal and made me an even stauncher believer of Digong. It helped give me the courage to decide to pick a side.
What happened in that dinner and who was in attendance?
There were only five people in that dinner I arranged with Bong Go: Digong, Bong, Honeylet, the representative of my wealthy relative, and me.
During the dinner, the representative of my wealthy relative (who I will not name because people might just miss the point) offered something most politicians won't be able to refuse.
"Mayor, we will contribute Php2 billion to your campaign. This is all clean."
I was shocked. My relative never said the representative would offer that. I would not have arranged it because I don't like getting involved when people talk about money. Politics, strategy, analyzing intel, yes, sure, let's talk. Money, gosh, that's just bad news.
Turns out the son of a bitch representative was not authorized to offer anything of that sort, but just to assure candidate Duterte of the family's unwavering support and the support of their vast network. The sleazy character used the name of his principal to try to curry favors with Mayor Duterte, but all of these I learned in hindsight when I went to my wealthy relative to frankly say I was embarrassed at that meeting because I was not told there was going to be an offer like that.
I'm not sure if my wealthy relative would have that much to contribute (I doubt it) but anyone hearing his/her representative offer that much would be inclined to believe it because this relative is really famous for being wealthy.
How did Digong react? Surprised. Nanlaki ang mata at the figure given.
"Oi! Ayaw lang... Sabihin mo kay ______, salamat. Pero ayaw lang."
"Pero Mayor, gusto talaga mag bigay," the rep insisted, all while I was still in shock at the offer and the breach of my trust. I don't like being blindsided and this hustler did not brief me about it, to think I set up that dinner meeting.
"Ganito nalang, kung gusto niyo talaga, gawa nalang kayo ng sortie, ng rally, tapos punta nalang ako. Huwag niyo nang ibigay sa'kin 'yung pera. Pero salamat ha."
From shock... I was in awe. Here is a man being offered Php2 billion by the rep of someone who could very well afford it (and is expected to afford it).
At the time he didn't know the rep was merely bluffing and using his principal's reputation to achieve whatever selfish ends, so you'd take the offer at face value like I did, and any other politician offered that much by the rep of this particular person would've accepted it! My God, that's 2 friggin' billion!
Right there is when I witnessed Digong's legendary integrity. To have said no to billions offered to him behind closed doors. Awesome, just awesome.
And so whatever people say, whatever Trillanes says, I will never believe because for me, Digong's integrity is not just a story I was told, it's not just a campaign ad, it's something I experienced for myself. Firsthand. Behind closed doors.
There. I've said it. This is why.
Digong is not awful. He is awesome.
LESSONS WE LEARNED FROM EMIL’S EXPERIENCE
We Are Collective
October 16, 2017
ATTENTION: Juan Cruz
LESSONS WE LEARNED FROM EMIL’S EXPERIENCE
Originally Published June 7, 2017 by Collective
Here's a list of all the graft cases filed by Emil Aguinaldo against Jesse Robredo and his cohorts.
Out of 70 cases, 28 were dismissed by the Ombudsman for reasons that they are "politically motivated."
This, without looking hard into the evidence accompanying each complaint. Naturally, Jesse enjoyed the perks of being Tabako's Nino Bonito. Not to mention the fact that he had his own personal backers and contacts within the Office of the Ombudsman which extended way beyond Tabako's term (remember Frank Felizmenio, Deception 1).
The Ombudsman would dismiss each case, but Aguinaldo was unstoppable. He would keep on filing one case after the other, in a relentless fashion that inconvenienced the shit out of Jesse Robredo. It got to a point that Jesse simply couldn't contain the damage caused by Aguinaldo's tenacity that he decided to settle the issue once and for all.
In June 2008, Emil Aguinaldo boarded a bus to Manila to follow up on the cases he filed in the Office of the Ombudsman. He disappeared without a trace and was unheard of since.
A month ago, we talked to former Naga City Councilor Luis Ortega, and he told us this rather gruesome story of how his friend Emil was abducted and murdered by henchmen from Cavite hired by Jesse Robredo. How a witness at a vulcanizing shop in Quezon Province saw Aguinaldo beaten to a pulp inside a car that he claimed belonged to Jesse as the abductors attended to a flat tire. How another witness, a local boatman, told him that Emil's body was chopped to pieces and thrown into the deep waters of Ticao Pass in Masbate, around the exact same place Jesse's plane crashed later in 2012.
It was a horrific tale, something straight out of a Johnnie To Triad flick or a Brillante Mendoza/Eli Roth adaptation. It's a testament of what unspeakable evils men are capable of in the name of power, greed and survival. We can only shudder in utter disbelief.
Which brings us, again, to the subject of filing cases.
It is not enough that we simply file cases as Emil did. He had all the necessary evidence, but he lacked leverage. In the end, evil triumphed. And it would require nature itself to collect Jesse's dues. Call it karma, call it retributive justice, for us it is simply gravitational physics. What goes up, must naturally come down.
Now that Jesse is gone and Leni has taken over to continue her husband's legacy of lies, we can either wait for nature to collect or do the smart thing and learn valuable lessons from Emil Aguinaldo's experience.
Leverage.
Something we can gain only if we bond together and unite.
Justice is political, politics is all about numbers, so numerical superiority is what we need to bring this fight into its rightful conclusion.
Together as one, let us show them the true power of the Collective.
THIS PIECE IS INCLUDED IN OUR UPCOMING BOOK, BURY YOURSELF OR RUN FOR COVER. TO BE PUBLISHED SOON.
October 16, 2017
ATTENTION: Juan Cruz
LESSONS WE LEARNED FROM EMIL’S EXPERIENCE
Originally Published June 7, 2017 by Collective
Here's a list of all the graft cases filed by Emil Aguinaldo against Jesse Robredo and his cohorts.
Out of 70 cases, 28 were dismissed by the Ombudsman for reasons that they are "politically motivated."
This, without looking hard into the evidence accompanying each complaint. Naturally, Jesse enjoyed the perks of being Tabako's Nino Bonito. Not to mention the fact that he had his own personal backers and contacts within the Office of the Ombudsman which extended way beyond Tabako's term (remember Frank Felizmenio, Deception 1).
The Ombudsman would dismiss each case, but Aguinaldo was unstoppable. He would keep on filing one case after the other, in a relentless fashion that inconvenienced the shit out of Jesse Robredo. It got to a point that Jesse simply couldn't contain the damage caused by Aguinaldo's tenacity that he decided to settle the issue once and for all.
In June 2008, Emil Aguinaldo boarded a bus to Manila to follow up on the cases he filed in the Office of the Ombudsman. He disappeared without a trace and was unheard of since.
A month ago, we talked to former Naga City Councilor Luis Ortega, and he told us this rather gruesome story of how his friend Emil was abducted and murdered by henchmen from Cavite hired by Jesse Robredo. How a witness at a vulcanizing shop in Quezon Province saw Aguinaldo beaten to a pulp inside a car that he claimed belonged to Jesse as the abductors attended to a flat tire. How another witness, a local boatman, told him that Emil's body was chopped to pieces and thrown into the deep waters of Ticao Pass in Masbate, around the exact same place Jesse's plane crashed later in 2012.
It was a horrific tale, something straight out of a Johnnie To Triad flick or a Brillante Mendoza/Eli Roth adaptation. It's a testament of what unspeakable evils men are capable of in the name of power, greed and survival. We can only shudder in utter disbelief.
Which brings us, again, to the subject of filing cases.
It is not enough that we simply file cases as Emil did. He had all the necessary evidence, but he lacked leverage. In the end, evil triumphed. And it would require nature itself to collect Jesse's dues. Call it karma, call it retributive justice, for us it is simply gravitational physics. What goes up, must naturally come down.
Now that Jesse is gone and Leni has taken over to continue her husband's legacy of lies, we can either wait for nature to collect or do the smart thing and learn valuable lessons from Emil Aguinaldo's experience.
Leverage.
Something we can gain only if we bond together and unite.
Justice is political, politics is all about numbers, so numerical superiority is what we need to bring this fight into its rightful conclusion.
Together as one, let us show them the true power of the Collective.
THIS PIECE IS INCLUDED IN OUR UPCOMING BOOK, BURY YOURSELF OR RUN FOR COVER. TO BE PUBLISHED SOON.
SECURITY IS PARAMOUNT
By We Are Collective
October 16, 2017
You know why for us security is paramount?
First example is Emil. He flaunted what he knew about Jesse and filed dozens, literally dozens of court cases against Jesse exposing his corruption. He ended up dead. His body chopped into pieces and thrown somewhere in the deep waters of Ticao Pass in Masbate.
Second example is Paco Ojeda. Paco was shot pointblank while jogging along Basilica Minore and it was surprising that at that day na binaril sya hindi nya kasama si Jesse dahil lagi nya itong kasama pagjogging.
Sino si Paco? He was Jesse's market administrator at malamang nadiskubre nya yung mga anomalya sa Naga City Public Market kung saan may mga pondong nawala na imposibleng walang kinalaman si Jesse dahil WALANG BAGAY na nangyayari sa Naga na hindi nalalaman nun. Lahat na transaksyon magpribado o publiko, pinakikilalaman at sinasawsawan at pinagkakakitaan ni Jesse.
And Jesse was able to pin all the blame on a scapegoat. This guy named Arias na sinisi nila sa lahat at pinakulong panandalian at ngayon nakalabas na. Tapos sinunog nila yung palengke twice in one year para mawala lahat na ebidensya.
Ganyan katindi gumalaw ang mga Robredo sa Naga. At dahil lang sa mga bagay na yun hindi nagatubiling magpapatay itong sila Jesse. How much more ngayon na mas matindi ang hinaharap nila sa mga nalalaman namin?
Kaya yung mga malalakas ang loob dyan magsalita na wala kaming mukha and everything, bukas ipopost namin litrato ni Emil at ni Paco. Titigan nyo mga bwisit kayo para maintindihan nyo na hindi larong bata itong pinasok namin.
At sa lahat na ginawa namin na sakripisyo maibigay sainyo ang impormasyon ganyan pa ang igaganti nyo sa amin, gayung wala naman kaming hinihinging kapalit o nakukuhang benepisyo, e TANG INUMIN NYO.
Mga gago at walang utang na loob na ipokrito!
Naga public market official faces malversation raps
NAGA CITY (18 December) – A FORMER NAGA CITY Public Market superintendent is facing multiple charges of “malversation of public funds through falsification” with a reported amount of P 1.9 Million, even as a City legal officer revealed that uncovered documents from the city market indicated that the...
VOXBIKOL.COM
October 16, 2017
You know why for us security is paramount?
First example is Emil. He flaunted what he knew about Jesse and filed dozens, literally dozens of court cases against Jesse exposing his corruption. He ended up dead. His body chopped into pieces and thrown somewhere in the deep waters of Ticao Pass in Masbate.
Second example is Paco Ojeda. Paco was shot pointblank while jogging along Basilica Minore and it was surprising that at that day na binaril sya hindi nya kasama si Jesse dahil lagi nya itong kasama pagjogging.
Sino si Paco? He was Jesse's market administrator at malamang nadiskubre nya yung mga anomalya sa Naga City Public Market kung saan may mga pondong nawala na imposibleng walang kinalaman si Jesse dahil WALANG BAGAY na nangyayari sa Naga na hindi nalalaman nun. Lahat na transaksyon magpribado o publiko, pinakikilalaman at sinasawsawan at pinagkakakitaan ni Jesse.
And Jesse was able to pin all the blame on a scapegoat. This guy named Arias na sinisi nila sa lahat at pinakulong panandalian at ngayon nakalabas na. Tapos sinunog nila yung palengke twice in one year para mawala lahat na ebidensya.
Ganyan katindi gumalaw ang mga Robredo sa Naga. At dahil lang sa mga bagay na yun hindi nagatubiling magpapatay itong sila Jesse. How much more ngayon na mas matindi ang hinaharap nila sa mga nalalaman namin?
Kaya yung mga malalakas ang loob dyan magsalita na wala kaming mukha and everything, bukas ipopost namin litrato ni Emil at ni Paco. Titigan nyo mga bwisit kayo para maintindihan nyo na hindi larong bata itong pinasok namin.
At sa lahat na ginawa namin na sakripisyo maibigay sainyo ang impormasyon ganyan pa ang igaganti nyo sa amin, gayung wala naman kaming hinihinging kapalit o nakukuhang benepisyo, e TANG INUMIN NYO.
Mga gago at walang utang na loob na ipokrito!
Naga public market official faces malversation raps
NAGA CITY (18 December) – A FORMER NAGA CITY Public Market superintendent is facing multiple charges of “malversation of public funds through falsification” with a reported amount of P 1.9 Million, even as a City legal officer revealed that uncovered documents from the city market indicated that the...
VOXBIKOL.COM
VICTORY
By We Are Collective
Published October 16, 2017 by Collective
At long last victory has come to our beloved soldiers fighting in Marawi.
The deaths of Omar Maute and Isnilon Hapilon are long overdue. And the President must be commended for bringing these murderous terrorists the only justice that truly awaits them.
But the fight against terror is far from finished. You cut the head, new ones will sprout in its stead. For as long as there is peace to exploit in the name of greed and self-interest, there will always be room for terror. As Martin Amis once said, 'Probably human cruelty is fixed and eternal. Only styles change.' So do not completely rejoice just yet and expect an end to bombings, kidnappings, mutilations and beheadings in the name of God and terror. We just have to be constantly on guard to protect the country should new threats inevitably arise.
How a group fighting in the guise of its faith can resort to such brutal tactics and unspeakable cruelty is beyond belief. Their total lack of humanity only proves that these extremists have no place in a civilized society, and the world must unite to ensure that these bastards are wiped out from the face of the earth.
Truly, how does one justify such evil savagery? For the longest time, we'd like to consider ourselves pacifists, as people opposed to violence of any kind, but extinguishing every last one of these sadistic fuckers seem like the only way left for us to ensure humanity's survival.
To do nothing is to condemn ourselves, the whole of humanity, to everlasting fire.
Published October 16, 2017 by Collective
At long last victory has come to our beloved soldiers fighting in Marawi.
The deaths of Omar Maute and Isnilon Hapilon are long overdue. And the President must be commended for bringing these murderous terrorists the only justice that truly awaits them.
But the fight against terror is far from finished. You cut the head, new ones will sprout in its stead. For as long as there is peace to exploit in the name of greed and self-interest, there will always be room for terror. As Martin Amis once said, 'Probably human cruelty is fixed and eternal. Only styles change.' So do not completely rejoice just yet and expect an end to bombings, kidnappings, mutilations and beheadings in the name of God and terror. We just have to be constantly on guard to protect the country should new threats inevitably arise.
How a group fighting in the guise of its faith can resort to such brutal tactics and unspeakable cruelty is beyond belief. Their total lack of humanity only proves that these extremists have no place in a civilized society, and the world must unite to ensure that these bastards are wiped out from the face of the earth.
Truly, how does one justify such evil savagery? For the longest time, we'd like to consider ourselves pacifists, as people opposed to violence of any kind, but extinguishing every last one of these sadistic fuckers seem like the only way left for us to ensure humanity's survival.
To do nothing is to condemn ourselves, the whole of humanity, to everlasting fire.
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