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Presence of 24 Chinese nationals inside fake cigarettes factory puzzles probers

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Nov. 19 (PNA) -- What were 24 Chinese nationals doing inside a factory that is screened from view by mango plantations and is suspected of manufacturing fake branded cigarettes?

The question was raised Friday after members of the bureaus of customs, internal revenue, and immigration, as well as the police, the Army's 702nd battalion, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) raided the factory in Barangay Unzad, Villasis in Pangasinan province.

Also arrested in the operation were some 50 stay-in workers, all from Bolinao, Pangasinan and not a single one from the town and village where the factory is located, baffling the raiding team all the more.

There were reports that up to 50 Chinese nationals were alternating in shifts in overseeing the alleged factory for fake cigarettes but only 24 were found at the site at the time of the raid.

All the suspects, who do not speak English, were placed under arrest and investigation by the immigration bureau, which may require them to produce their travel documents.

No illegal drug or drug laboratory was found in the compound that was fenced by a high concrete wall.

Discovered in the site were fake cigarettes stuffed in packs of Marlboro, Fortune, More, Jackpot, Mighty, and Winston among others, as well as equipment and apparatuses for manufacturing these.

Antero Prado Jr., bureau of customs special assistant, considered the discovery as beyond imagination because the equipment that manufacture the fake cigarettes cost billions of pesos.

All these and other raw materials found at the site were believed to have originated from China.

The factory has neither a business permit from the local government of Villasis nor a clearance from the barangay where it is located.

Barangay officials confirmed that the workers found inside the factory were not locals.

Prado said the customs bureau will also verify whether the factory is connected to similar factories busted in Cagayan de Oro City and Davao City where they earlier seized PHP25 million and PHP63 million worth of fake cigarettes, respectively.

A similar raid was undertaken by customs bureau operatives in Pampanga province against another fake cigarette factory, also on Friday. (PNA)

PHL to spend more on drug rehab, gov't official tells UN body

GENEVA, Nov. 2 (PNA) -- The Philippine government detailed to a United Nations (UN) committee its ongoing and planned programs as part of the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs.

“We must first recognize that there is popular support for the President's campaign against illegal drugs as reflected in his decisive win at the polls in May 2016,” deputy director general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Rosemarie Edillon, said during a dialogue with the United Nations (UN) Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights last September in Geneva, Switzerland.

“The initial campaign against illegal drugs has revealed the magnitude of the problem, one that has not been addressed, at least not with the scope and scale as to make it effective. But we are rectifying this now,” she added.

The Philippine National Police’s Oplan Tokhang has yielded close to a million drug surrenderers.

Edillon raised to the UN committee that the Philippine health sector considers drug dependency as a health issue. Thus, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is convening different government agencies, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and faith-based groups to address the problem of drug dependency by focusing on three pillars.

These are the identification and classification of drug dependents to be led by the Department of Health; community-based rehabilitation to be led by the Ugnayan ng Barangay at Simbahan NGO; and aftercare reintegration and transformation support for recovering drug dependents to be led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. These all fall within DILG’s Drug Rehabilitation Construction and Community-based Drug Rehabilitation Project.

Of the more than 700,000 who surrendered, it was noted that only less than 1 percent will need in-patient treatment and rehabilitation, and will be admitted to treatment and rehabilitation centers. Two percent to 10 percent will go to outpatient facilities, while 90 percent will require community-based interventions.

“We must deal with the drug problem through rehabilitation, reformation, and reintegration,” said Edillon.

The national government, she said, is starting to construct large-capacity rehabilitation centers around the country while local government units have begun restoring existing but neglected drug rehabilitation facilities.

The Department of Education (DepEd) has increased resources for the implementation of an alternative learning system that will shepherd drug addicts back to the educational system, and provide them more options for human development, Edillon said, adding that the department is also developing modules in schools’ curricula to incorporate awareness of the drug problem in the country.

The Philippine Sports Commission meanwhile is introducing large-scale sports development programs for drug users and pushers who surrendered, she said.

Religious groups and other faith-based organizations have also volunteered to help in the reformation process. “Our church, for instance, has mobilized 5,000 volunteers who are now undergoing training to be counselors,” added Edillon, who headed the Philippine delegation to Geneva.

“All these programs will be incorporated in the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022, under the component, Enhancing the Social Fabric,” she said.

“In short, I would say our government’s campaign on illegal drugs should be considered beyond the headlines. A lot of Filipinos, groups, and institutions like local and national governments see this as an opportunity to restore families that form the very fabric of our society,” Edillon said. (PNA)

Solon urges Kerwin Espinosa to bare all
By Filane Mikey Z. Cervantes

MANILA, Nov. 18 (PNA) -- Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers urged on Friday suspected drug lord Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa Jr. to make public the sources of his illegal drugs, including his supposed coddlers and protectors, during his drug dealing operations in Eastern Visayas.

In a statement, Barbers, chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Dangerous Drugs, also urged Kerwin to cooperate and disclose the identity of people who facilitated his escape from Manila to Hong Kong, then to Malaysia and later on to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates where he was caught by Interpol operatives.

He said Kerwin’s disclosure on his illegal drug operations in the past is vital since this would unmask the “narco-politicians” and “narco-generals” who personally and financially benefitted from his illegal activities.

"The government is considering him (Kerwin) to become a state witness. To be able to avail of it, he should cooperate and muster the courage to blow the whistle against private and public officials that made his drug dealing operations flourish in the past,” Barbers said.

Kerwin arrived in Manila on board Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight 657 from Abu Dhabi at around 3:41 a.m. Friday after months in hiding.

Kerwin and his late father, Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., were earlier accused by President Rodrigo Duterte as big players behind the proliferation of illegal drugs in Eastern Visayas.

Espinosa Sr. and another drug suspect, Raul Yap, were killed in an alleged firefight at the Baybay, Leyte Sub-provincial Jail in the early morning of Nov. 4, 2016 by Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Northern Leyte operatives led by Police Chief Inspector Leo Laraga.

PNP Chief Ronald Dela Rosa, who led the team that fetched Kerwin at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), assured the latter’s safety. (PNA)

Ranking PRO 7 official denies introducing retired general to suspected drug lord

CEBU CITY, Nov. 10 (PNA) -- A ranking official of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 on Thursday denied he introduced retired police general now Daanbantayan, Cebu Mayor Vicente Loot to suspected drug lord Kerwin Espinosa.

Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas, PRO 7 deputy director for operations, said this information reportedly came from the affidavit of Kerwin's father, Albuera town mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr.

Espinosa was killed inside his cell in a sub-provincial jail in Baybay City on November 5.

Espinosa’s death is now being investigated by the Senate.

Lawas said he never met Espinosa, but some police officials are trying to taint him.

"I would like to say this, I do not know Espinosa or any of the Espinosas. Since birth, I live in Cebu and I never met Espinosa," Lawas said.

Lawas said he is willing to face investigation.

In the affidavit of the slain Espinosa, Loot was among the government officials who allegedly protected Kerwin, who was nabbed in Abu Dhabi last month.

President Rodrigo Duterte in July named Loot and retired police general Marcelo Garbo Jr., among others, as "drug protectors." (PNA)

4 SC justice aspirants finish JBC interview

MANILA, Nov. 16 (PNA) -- Four aspirants vying for Supreme Court justice posts already finished their interview by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) on Wednesday morning.

The two-day public interview is for the replacement of Associate Justices Jose Perez and Arturo Brion, who will retire on Dec. 14 and 29, respectively.

JBC executive committee chairperson Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez with members Toribio Ilao Jr., Maria Milagros Fernan-Cayosa and Jose Mejia

First on the list of interviewees was lawyer Persida Rueda-Acosta, Chief of the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) who said that she will deactivate from social media and stop from writing a newspaper column to focus on doing legal research once she is selected to be an SC justice.

”Mag-iiba na dahil ang buhay ng mahistrado tapusin mo lahat ng pending mo babalik ako bilang isang legal researcher mag draft ng decision yan ang natutunan bilang legal researcher at branch of clerk of court,” she answered during the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) public interview.

”Aking kayamanan ang aking kredibilidad at karanasan bilang taga pamahala ng national agency na isang stake holder sa justice system for 16 years,” she added.

Acosta's specializations include civil law, legal aid, human rights and social development. In 2015, the multi-awarded lawyer completed her Doctorate in Social Development at the University of the Philippines-Diliman.

Acosta, who was nominated by Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, said she has proven this through her service as PAO Chief.

"I have shown my independence in my opinions and my handling of cases. My basis is always the rule of law. Whoever recommended me to apply to the SC, that is their opinion and it will not be a reason for me to be biased in the future," Acosta said.

Acosta was asked about her taking the Bar examination twice and said her idol is Claro M. Recto, a noted statesman and an Associate Justice of the SC who took the Bar examination twice.

She failed on her first try but landed fourth on her second try during the 1989 Bar examination.

“Claro M. Recto is my inspiration of people like me who experienced difficulties in life. If he is a man, I am a woman with the heart of a man who is courageous and will persevere regardless of the obstacles,” Acosta, who graduated of the University of the East (UE) Law.

When asked by Gutierrez regarding previous SC rulings allowing the burial of the late President Ferdinand Marcos in Libingan ng mga Bayani, Acosta admitted that she had read only the news about the decision.

Gutierrez told Acosta that she should have reading first of its kind and landmark decision because she is applying for an SC justice position.

Gutierrez asked Acosta another question about her opinion on the Arroyo plunder case and the granting of bail to Enrile.

In response, Acosta admitted that she read about the High Court’s decision based on the newspapers. With this, Gutierrez advised her to read more just in case she is nominated and appointed to the post.

On the EJK issue, the PAO chief told the JBC that she is aware of such occurrence as she cited her handling of the case on the killing of motorcycle rider John dela Riarte by two Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group personnel last July.

Acosta said her credibility and public service record has ripened her for a post in the high court.

The second applicant on the interview list, lawyer Rita Linda Ventura-Jimeno, associate dean of Centro Escolar University's School of Law, has a bachelor's degree and law degree from the University of the Philippines.

Jimeno, who was recommended for the SC post by former President Fidel Ramos, also supported the plan of the Duterte administration to shift to a federal form of government.

Jimeno is also managing partner of Jimeno Cope & David Law Offices that specializes in family law and is an arbitrator, and an SC-accredited mediator.

She also worked as a member of technical working groups that crafted rules on whistle-blowing in the judiciary and rules of practice in environmental courts.

Jimeno, 64, said that if she gets appointed as associate justice, she would still have time to introduce changes in the SC.

If she will be given the chance to amend provisions in the Constitution in relation to the judiciary, she would propose the establishment of constitutional courts to diffuse the responsibilities of the SC.

Jimeno said the SC justices could focus on cases appealed before the High Court, while constitutional courts deal with constitutional issues.

Asked on her opinion on SC decision allowing Marcos burial, Jimeno said she respects the SC decision in compliance with the rule of law.

Jimeno also said she supports the shift to federalism, noting that it will help local governments develop themselves in order to improve lives of people in rural areas.

However, she said the country should not rush the shift to federalism without decentralizing first and passing crucial legislations such as the Freedom of Information law and an anti-dynasty law.

Jimeno also supported plans to amend provisions in the Constitution and suggested the establishment of constitutional courts to diffuse the responsibilities of the SC.

Meanwhile, the third aspirant is Davao Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 13 Judge Rowena Apao-Adlawan told the JBC that she support President Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs.

However, Adlawan said that she has acquitted several accused drug suspects based on 'technical aspects'

Asked on her opinion on (EJKs in the country, Adlawan said that there is no EJK in the country and she does not believe the President had anything to do with the killings as he is for upholding the rule of law.

The fourth aspirant, Court of Appeals (CA) Justice Japar Dimaampao said if he gets the SC justice slot, he will bring his integrity with all humility and contribute in enriching jurisprudence on sharia, taxation, and commercial law, given his stint with academe.

Dimaampao said there has been no Muslim justice at SC for over 20 years that is why he accepted the nomination retired SC Justice Romeo Callejo and Gov. Mujiv Hataman.

"By God’s grace, if I would be appointed to the Court, I can help the Court with all humility in avoiding erroneous decisions on sharia which will eventually amount to injustices to Muslims in this country. I can be of help in preventing such possible influx of decisions which are not resolved in accordance with sharia and existing Islamic jurisprudence," he told the JBC.

Dimaampao obtained his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in 1982, and his Bachelor of Laws in 1987 at the University of the East.

Dimaampao, the first and only Muslim senior state prosecutor, bar reviewer, professor of law of the University of Santo Tomas, and member of the University of the Philippines Law Center, committee on Bar examinations in commercial law and taxation.

He served as Regional Trial Court judge and executive judge of Mandaluyong City before taking his oath of office as CA associate justice.

The Constitution requires an SC justice to be a natural-born citizen with a minimum age of 40, and with at least 15 years’ experience as a lower court judge or as a lawyer in the country.

After the interviews, the seven-member JBC led by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, will vote on the shortlist and prepare the list of nominees to be given to President Rodrigo Duterte, who will be making his appointment to the high court.

President Duterte is expected to appoint at least 10 justices in SC during his six-year term. There will be two more vacancies during the election period after his term. (PNA)

LP senators slam unannounced burial of Marcos at LNMB
By Azer N. Parrocha

MANILA, Nov. 18 (PNA) -- Senators belonging to the Liberal Party (LP) slammed on Friday the unannounced and hasty burial of the remains of former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, nephew of the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., described the burial a “sinister move.”

“This is such a sinister move, to bury former President Marcos as secretly and quickly as possible. The manner by which he was buried speaks for itself,” Aquino said.

He said that the administration remained “deaf” to the calls of many Filipinos who demanded justice for the abuses during the Marcos' martial law regime.

Senator and acting LP President Francis Pangilinan said that Marcos being buried at the LNMB did not mean that he would “remain” buried there.

He said that while there were people who stood up against the abuses of the dictatorship, they would fight to have Marcos’ remains transferred.

“They may have won this battle but the war is far from over. If he is buried today, we will work tirelessly to undo this monumental injustice inflicted upon the tens of thousands of victims and upon the nation,” Pangilinan said.

Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin Drilon compared the Marcos burial to what he described as “stealthy and hurried manner” as “reminiscent of the dark days of Martial Law.”

“The atrocities perpetrated during Martial Law succeeded because the citizenry was kept in the dark. Marcos betrayed the country for decades; we should not allow him to continue to do so up to this day,” Drilon said.

He said that Marcos’ burial was “anything but noble and caught the people off-guard “like a thief in the night.”

Senator Leila de Lima said that even if Marcos was buried in secret, there was no way to hide the “atrocities” during Martial Law.

”They cannot hide the truth from Filipinos. History will be the judge,” De Lima said.

Senator Risa Hontiveros called Marcos “a thief until the very end.”

"Until the end, Marcos is a thief. His fake hero's burial was a stolen moment. However, he will never steal the truth behind our history,” Hontiveros added.

As this story was being written, both pro- and anti-Marcos groups were holding protest rallies outside the hero’s cemetery.

Media members were not allowed to enter the vicinity.

On Nov. 8, the Supreme Court dismissed all petitions against the burial of the late dictator at the hero’s cemetery. (PNA)

2 CA justices, 1 private lawyer faces JBC on second day of interview for SC justice posts

MANILA, Nov. 17 (PNA) -- Two Court of Appeals justices and a law professor on Thursday finished the two-day public interview made by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) for two Supreme Court justice posts soon to be vacated by Associate Justices Jose Perez and Arturo Brion upon their retirement in December.

Justices Perez and Brion are set to retire after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70 on December 14 and 29, respectively.

During the interview, Court of Appeals Justice Romulo Borja assured to provide financial security for all Justices to enable them to focus on their work without worrying about financial concerns. If selected as SC Justice, Borja, 68, will only have about 22 months to serve before reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.

On the matter of drug cases which have been distributed by SC in lower courts instead of designated drug courts, Borja said the courts should allow plea bargaining and focus on rehabilitation.

”In many countries, they allow plea bargaining that may resolve case we don’t allowed plea bargaining in drug cases right now secondly when it comes information there should be liberality allowing rehabilitation put in the DoH the problem is not legal but the problem is medical if we can remove that it can reduce the dockets,” Borja explained.

Borja, a law of graduate of Xavier University, placed 19th in the 1984 bar exams.

Section 23 of Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act prohibits plea bargaining in such cases.

The second interviewee was Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, also CA Justice, who turned 60 on Wednesday, November 17.

Javier graduated magna cum laude from the Philippine Normal University with a degree in education. She took up Law at the University of Sto. Tomas and passed the bar in 1992.

Before being appointed as CA Justice in 2007, she worked in the Office of the Solicitor General in 1983 as trial attorney, and later became Assistant Solicitor General in 1994.

During the interview, Javier was asked for her opinion particularly the burial of former president Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani and the spate of extra-judicial killings (EJKs) of drug suspects in the country.

Javier opposed the SC ruling personally, saying she believes the highest conviction against the former dictator was done through the 1986 EDSA People Power uprising which ousted him from power after 21 years as president.

“I do not agree with the majority opinion. I think the conviction made by the people themselves is the highest court and not even the SC can trivialize that conviction,” Javier said.

"It lasts forever and ever, even beyond life. He was convicted by the People Power-the highest form of conviction and no higher conviction can wash it off," she added.

On the issue of EJKs, Javier said that is just an academic discussion, noting that there is a need to identify which deaths are justified, whether there was aggression or dangers posed on lives of the arresting officers.

She also said the killings are “not yet” crimes that constitute genocide because they are “not as widespread and as systematic.”

The last candidate for the interview, Atty. Joseph San Pedro also disagreed with the majority ruling on the SC on Marcos burial.

He said setting aside the dissenting opinion, including the jurisprudences they cited, the “primary issue is the historical underpinning of the 1987 Constitution.

”I understand there is MR setting aside I understand there is still MR, but setting that aside, I think the dissenting opinionsâ€"there were citations of certain laws but I think the primary issue there is the historical underpinning of our 1987 constitution,” he explained.

“We came from an ouster of a dictator and to allow the dictator to be buried there is a dishonor to the people who sacrificed to have our democracy right now,” the 50-year old lawyer said.

On Wednesday, JBC already interviewed PAO Chief Persida Rueda-Acosta, Atty. Rita Linda Ventura-Jimeno, Davao RTC Judge Rowena Apao-Adlawan, CA Justices Japar Dimaampao, Noel Tijam, Sandiganbayan Justice Samuel Martires and Department of Justice (DOJ) chief state counsel Ricardo Paras III.

A total of 10 aspirants were interviewed by the JBC executive committee chairperson Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez with members Toribio Ilao Jr., Maria Milagros Fernan-Cayosa and Jose Mejia in a two-day public interview.

Meanwhile, the seven other candidates for both vacancies would no longer be interviewed because of their previous interviews over the past year.

They are CA Presiding Justice Andres Reyes Jr. and CA Justices Apolinario Bruselas Jr., Rosmari Carandang, Stephen Cruz and Jose Reyes Jr., Quezon City Judge Reynaldo Daway and Sandiganbayan Justice Alex Quiroz.

A shortlist of candidates will be submitted by the JBC to President Rodrigo Duterte, who will appoint the new SC magistrates. Under his term, President Duterte will get to appoint 10 SC magistrates to replace retiring justices in the next three years. (PNA)

Bureau of Customs expresses sympathy to family of slain exec
By Ferdinand G. Patinio

MANILA, Nov 18 (PNA) -- The Bureau of Customs (BoC) expressed sympathy to the family of slain Deputy Commissioner Arturo Lachica who was shot dead Thursday night in Manila.

"BOC is deeply saddened by this incident. Our condolences to his family and loved ones," the BoC said in its Twitter account.

Reports said Lachica was declared dead-on-arrival at United Doctors Medical Center after sustaining two gunshot wounds in the chest.

The official was headed home when a motorcycle-riding man fired at his black sedan around 6:50 p.m. along Espana Blvd., Manila.

The BoC assured cooperation with authorities on the investigation of the case.

"As per Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, BOC will exert all efforts to cooperate with authorities in investigating this incident," it added. (PNA)

See the beauty of Coron, Palawan

Thanksgiving

And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. Luke 17:15-16

Thankfulness is foundational to the Christian life. Thankfulness is a conscious response that comes from looking beyond our blessings to their source. As Christians, we have been forgiven, saved from death, and adopted as God’s children. There could be no better reason for a grateful heart!

Lepers in Jesus’ day were social outcasts. Their highly contagious condition ostracized them from those they loved. When ten lepers encountered Jesus, they desperately implored Him to show them mercy. Jesus sent them to the priest. As they obeyed, they were healed! These ten men had been forbidden to enter their own villages, to live in their own homes, to work in their own jobs, or even to touch their own children. Imagine what unrestrained joy must have filled them as they ran back home again!

One of the lepers, a Samaritan, stopped and ran back to thank Jesus. Samaritans were normally shunned by the Jews, but Jesus had healed him! Jesus asked him, “Where are the others?” Ten lepers had been healed. Ten lepers were reveling in their new found health. Ten men were joyfully rushing to share the good news with those they loved. But only one considered the Source of that blessing and stopped to thank and worship the One who had given him back his life.

We, too, have been healed and made whole by the Savior. We are free to enjoy the abundant life the Savior has graciously given us. Could we, like the nine lepers, rush off so quickly to glory in our blessings without stopping to thank our Redeemer? God looks for our thanks. Our worship, prayers, service, and daily life ought to be saturated with thanksgiving to God (Phil. 4:6). - Henry and Richard Blackaby

Transcript of Speech of former Senator Bongbong Marcos during the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani

It was my father's fervent wish that when he came to the end of his days, that he be buried in a simple soldier's ceremony. This was in keeping with his idea that he was but a soldier doing his duty, a citizen serving his country.

We have waited 27 years to fulfill that wish that he left us with. But we are here today and we are able to grant him that wish. In keeping with his desires, we will keep this ceremony simple and it is left to the family and I speak in their behalf, on behalf of the Marcos family, to thank all those who actually helped and made this day a reality.

We thank President Rodrigo Duterte for his recognition of my father's service to the nation. We thank all the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who have here come to pay their last respects to their former Commander-in-Chief. We thank all the members of the Philippine National Police for the support that they have given us in this ceremony that we are having today. And to the Filipino people for their continuing support of my father's dream of unity and progress for our country.

So let today be the first day amongst many days, and months, and years of our continuing to work for the unity and the progress of our country.

Let us be the heroes that my father asked us all to be and finally bring the Filipino nation together and finally bring the Filipinos to greatness.

WHAT IS HAPPENING TO OUR COUNTRY?
By Ben Emata

The Philippines used to be like an innocent young woman, beautiful like a morning flower, its scents attract  the bees and on top of a pedestal, truly worthy of admiration and love. Today, the country is like inside the mouth of a crocodile about to be swallowed by corruption, skinned alive by some government officials that included the bad guardian of peace and order known as the police. Have we gone to the kingdom of the dogs and lost our dignity as humans?

The video that showed police officers who abducted and/or kidnapped a civilian was horrible, terrifying and had shocked people around the world. I could hardly believe it could happen in real life, except in the movies.. The worst thing is the victim was reportedly killed. If this is true, killing the perpetrators is not enough for a punishment. There must be more to offset the pain, the cruelty and humiliation suffered by the victim and his relatives.

I asked myself what is happening to our country? Why crimes so heinous and frightening are taking now nearly everyday? New things are really troubling since police officers are supposed to keep society peaceful but now they are newspaper headlines as crime suspects. Citizens are silent but must be trembling with fears they could be victims while walking in the streets. Where can one  find extreme peace in the country these days? Six feet below the ground?. TV newscasts for just one day revealed eight persons were killed in Makati and Quezon City alone. Are these not terrifying?

I don't know if you will agree with me that some criminals are genius. They can plan crimes the excellent way giving the police a real hard time in arresting them. With all these mess around the country, Pres.Duterte should not sleep or he will be haunted by his campaign promise of extreme peace around the country. This subject catapulted him to power.  Something must be done to restore that elusive peace around us. For one thing, the bad peace and order situation in the country is driving away balikbayans who are supposed to spend vacation this Christmas.

There was nothing wrong with Sen. Leila De Lima falling in love with her driver-bodyguard. Her marriage has been annulled and her lover was separated from his wife for many years. So there was hunger of love or thirst for one another.  The excitement is that both of them proved one thing - - "that love is indeed blind and lovers cannot see". Imagine De Lima is a member of the Philippine bar, a cabinet secretary and a very prominent citizen while the man is nothing better than just an unknown driver and bodyguard. Their affair is worthy for the Guiness Book of World Record or a sensational thriller in the movies. The only thing that makes it immoral is their affair is just to satisfy their sexual urges and nothing binds them together for lack of formal union, and De Lima is a public official. And why are we so concerned of her love affair while even electing Duterte to the presidency after he confessed he is a womanizer? 

I wish to vow my head to the peace agreement executed by the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front and the government. Fighting ceased, no more ambushes and good relationship must  have been restored.  I hope it will remain that way to spare our farmers lives and allow them to work in their fields.  We lost so much time, effort and money engaging in battles between groups of Filipinos.  And not only that - - lives of the combatants and civilians by the thousands have been unnecessarily wasted too. The country never gained an inch of honor and pride in the useless fight.

Now that peace has returned in the country, we should promote agriculture and make ourselves self-sufficient in food. We should also learn modern technology to adjust ourselves with our neighbors which are rapidly growing with the help of modern science. We should offer free training to our farmers, our fishermen and people who can work elsewhere. When I arrived in the United States, I searched for job only to realize that the country is high tech and everyone was using computers. And because I was ignorant about it, I was told to take free training which I did. After passing the written and oral examinations in a government office, I was hired.   

I am calling all citizens to file charges against law enforcers who might have violated their rights. Our country will dive faster into the kingdom of the evils if we allow them to push through with their bullying activities. Some police officers have become stupid and do not know they are supposed to be the guardian of peace and order and not cohorts of crimes. The media will help you. Come to us anytime of day.  See a lawyer.  BEN EMATA  Bennex News Service

Sitting at Jesus' Feet

But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." Luke 10:40

Martha loved Jesus dearly and would have done anything for Him. Her struggle came in being still! Martha spent so much time serving Jesus that she had no time to enjoy His company or to get to know Him better. The harder Martha worked, the more frustrated she became with her sister Mary. Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet while Martha scurried around the house to make sure everything was in perfect order for Jesus. Martha’s service, though it started out with gladness, deteriorated into resentment and envy.

It is good to want to serve Christ as an expression of love for what He has done for you. Yet when your activity consumes your time and energies so that you have no time for Him, you have become too busy! You may think, as Martha did, that if you don’t do the work, it won’t get done. That may be true, but Jesus taught that your highest priority must be your relationship with Him. If anything detracts you from that relationship, that activity is not from God. God will not ask you to do something that hinders your relationship with Christ. At times, serving God and carrying out His mission is the best way to know and experience God. At other times, it is more important to sit quietly at His feet and listen to what He is saying.

We are not called to continually sit at the feet of Jesus, otherwise our service for Him would cease. Neither are we called to serve Him incessantly, without taking time to find restoration in His presence. Have you been serving God so diligently that you have not had time to spend with Him?Henry and Richard Blackaby

-- How is jurisdiction over the subject matter conferred?

ANSwer: It is conferred by law, that is, B.P. Big. 129, otherwise known as the "Judiciary Reorganization Act." It does not depend on the objection or the acts or omissions of the parties or anyone of them. (Republic v. Sangalang, 159 SCRA 515 [1988]; PNB v. Florendo, 206 SCRA 582 [1992]).

TUBAGBOHOL.com can now be accessed on mobile phones via Tapatalk App both in Android and Apple OS.

State the elements of jurisdiction.

In civil cases, the following are the elements of jurisdiction:
1. jurisdiction over the subject matter or nature of the
case;
2. jurisdiction over the parties;
3. jurisdiction over the res.

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Q -- A final judgment was rendered by the RTC at a time that it still had jurisdiction. Thereafter, on March 11, 1973, P.D. No. 902-A took effect, transferring the jurisdiction of corporate controversies to the SEC. Can the judgment be still executed? Why?

ANSwer: Yes, because once jurisdiction is acquired or attached to a court over a case, it continues until the end of the case. However, under the circumstances, the execution of the RTC judgment should now be placed under the supervision and control of the SEC, even if the RTC judgment is already final and can no longer be modified or altered. (Aranas v. CA, G.R. No. 95607, July 23, 1992).

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-- In an adoption case, the wife alone filed the petition without joining the husband. It was granted, but that was under the Child and Youth Welfare Code (P.D. No. 603). When the Family Code took effect, they went to Court seeking for an annulment of the decree of adoption on the ground that under Article 185 of the Code, the husband and wife must jointly adopt. They contended that the law is a remedial statute and must be retroactive. Decide.

ANSwer: The contention is not correct. The wife's right to file the petition by herself already vested upon her filing thereof and cannot be prejudiced or impaired by the enactment of a new law. The trial court acquired jurisdiction over the petition. Jurisdiction is determined by the statute in force at the time of the commencement of the action. (Republic v. CA, G.R. No. 92326, January 24, 1992).


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 -- Are there limitations in the exercise of equity jurisdiction?

ANSwer: Yes, like:

1. equitable reasons will not control against any well-settled rule of law or public policy. In short, equity will validity to a void contract. (Arsenal v. IAC 143 SCRA 40 [1986]).

2. the court has no power to make contracts for the parties or extend the life of a contract. (Topweld v. ECED, 138 SCRA 133)

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mea culpa /ËŒmeɪə ˈkÊŠlpÉ™  , ËŒmiːə ˈkÊŒlpÉ™  /
â–¸ exclamation used as an acknowledgement of one's fault or error:
‘Well, whose fault was that?’ ‘Mea culpa!’ Frank said.
â€" ORIGIN Latin, ‘by my fault’.

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THINK YOU KNOW EVERYTHING

1. Rubber bands last longer when refrigerated.
2. Peanuts are one of the ingredients of dynamite.
3. There are 293 ways to make change for a dollar.
4. The average person's left hand does 56% of the typing.
5. A shark is the only fish that can blink with both eyes.
6. There are more chickens than people in the world.
7. Two-thirds of the world's eggplant is grown in New Jersey.
8. The longest one-syllable word in the English language is
"screeched."
9. On a Canadian two dollar bill, the flag flying over the
Parliament building is an American flag.
10. All of the clocks in the movie "Pulp Fiction" are stuck on 4:20.
11. No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange,
silver, or purple.
12. "Dreamt" is the only English word that ends in the letters "mt".
13. All 50 states are listed across the top of the Lincoln Memorial
on the back of the $5 bill.
14. Almonds are a member of the peach family.
15. Winston Churchill was born in a ladies' room during a dance.
16. Maine is the only state whose name is just one syllable.
17. There are only four words in the English language which end in
"dous": tremendous, horrendous, stupendous, and hazardous.
18. Los Angeles' full name is "El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina
de los Angeles de Porciuncula"
19. A cat has 32 muscles in each ear.
20. An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.
21. Tigers have striped skin, not just striped fur.
22. In most advertisements, the time displayed on a watch is 10:10.
23. Al Capone's business card said he was a used furniture dealer.
24. The characters Bert and Ernie on Sesame Street were named after
Bert the cop and Ernie the taxi driver in Frank Capra's "It's a
Wonderful Life."
25. A dragonfly has a life span of 24 hours.
26. A goldfish has a memory span of three seconds.
27. A dime has 118 ridges around the edge.
28. It's impossible to sneeze with your eyes open.
29. The giant squid has the largest eyes in the world.
30. In England, the Speaker of the House is not allowed to speak.
31. The microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar
tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket.
32. Mr. Rogers is an ordained minister.
33. The average person falls asleep in seven minutes.
34. There are 336 dimples on a regulation golf ball.
35. "Stewardesses" is the longest word that is typed with only the
left hand.

Judge Not

Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37

There is a significant difference between judgment and discernment. God sees people’s hearts and knows their motives (Prov. 16:2). Only God can accurately judge those who deserve punishment. Ultimately, Christ will sit in judgment upon us all in the day of judgment (2 Cor. 5:10). Our problem is that we like to sit in the judgment seat and pronounce condemnation upon those whom we think have sinned! Scripture commands us not to judge or condemn others, for we cannot be judgmental and redemptive at the same time. It is difficult to pray sincerely for someone while we are judging them. At times our judgmental attitude can seem to provide us an excuse not to become involved in God’s redemptive work in someone’s life. Scripture reminds us that God will treat us with the same grace or severity with which we treat others (Luke 6:38). God commands us not to judge others, but He does want us to be discerning. Jesus said we would know people’s spiritual condition by the fruit of their lives (Matt. 7:16). He said grapes are not produced by thorn bushes. If a person’s life produces thorns, we can assume that person is not a grapevine! Are we being judgmental? No, we are being discerning. Scripture commands us to avoid associating with scoffers or fools (Prov. 22:10; 17:12). Unless we are able to identify scoffers and fools, we cannot obey God’s command. That is not being judgmental, it is being discerning. As Christians, we have been instructed to observe the lives of others so that we can help them while avoiding any sinful influence. You will be helpful to others only if you see them as God does. If you have been judgmental of others, ask forgiveness and pledge yourself to let God use you as His minister of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18).         Henry and Richard Blackaby

What is the principle of the exercise of equity jurisdiction? Give an example.

ANSwer: It is a situation where the court is called upon to decide a particular situation and release the parties from their correlative obligations but if it would result in adverse consequences to the parties and the public, the court would go beyond its powers to avoid negative consequences in the release of the parties. (Agne, et al. v. Director of Lands, et al, 181 SCRA 793; Naga Telephone Co., et al. v. CA, et al., 48 SCAD 539, G.R. No. 107112, February 24, 1994

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Explain the rule that jurisdiction is conferred upon the court, not the judge.

ANSwer: The jurisdiction is vested in the court, not in the judges. When a case is filed in one branch, jurisdiction over the case does
not attach to the branch or judge alone to the exclusion of the other branches. Trial may be held or proceedings continue by and before another branch or judge. The apportionment
and distribution of cases do not involve a grant or limitation of jurisdiction; the jurisdiction attaches and continues to be
vested in the CFI (now RTC) of the province, and the trials may be held by any branch or judge of the court. (Bacalso v. Ramolete, 21 SCRA 519, October 26,1967; Bala v. Martinez, 181 SCRA 459; Hasegawa, et al. v. Kitamura, G.R. No. 149177

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pragmatic /pragˈmatɪk  /
â–¸ adjective dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations:
a pragmatic approach to politics.
â–ª relating to philosophical or political pragmatism.
â–ª Linguistics relating to pragmatics.
â€" DERIVATIVES pragmatically adverb.
â€" ORIGIN late 16th cent. (in the senses ‘busy, interfering, conceited’): via Latin from Greek pragmatikos ‘relating to fact’, from pragma ‘deed’ (from the stem of prattein ‘do’). The current senses date from the mid 19th cent.

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How is jurisdiction distinguished from exercise of jurisdiction?

ANSwer: Jurisdiction is the authority to hear and decide a case. It does not depend upon the regularity of the exercise of that power or upon the rightfulness of the decision made. (Lim , et al. v. Hon. Felipe Pacquing, et al., 55 SCAD 112, G.R. No. 115044, September 1, 1994, citing Century Ins. Co. v. Fuentes, 2 SCRA 1160 [1961]).

If there is jurisdiction over the person and the subject matter, the resolution of all other questions arising in the case is but an exercise of jurisdiction. (Herrera v. Baretto, 25 Phil. 245; Palma v. Q & S, Inc., L-20366, May 16, 1966; Heirs of So, et al. v. Obliosa, et al, G.R. No. 147082

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Question -- Distinguish jurisdiction from venue.

ANSwer:
1. Jurisdiction is the authority to hear and determine a case; venue is the place where the case is to be heard or tried;

2. Jurisdiction is a matter of substantive law; venue, of procedural law;

3. Jurisdiction establishes a relation between the court and the subject matter; venue, a relation between plaintiff and defendant, or petitioner and respondent; and

4. Jurisdiction is fixed by law and cannot be conferred by the parties; venue may be conferred by the act or agreement of the parties. (Nocum, et al. v. Lucio Tan, G.R. No. 145022, September 23, 2005).

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Question -- What is jurisdiction?

ANSwer: Jurisdiction is the power to hear and decide cases. (Herrera v. Baretto & Joaquin, 25 Phil. 245).

Jurisdiction is the power with which courts are invested with the power of administering justice, that is, for hearing and deciding cases. In order for the court to have authority to dispose of a case on the merits, it must acquire jurisdiction over the subject matter and the parties. (Republic Planters Bank v. Molina, 166 SCRA 39 [1988]; Lagunilla v. Velasco, et al., G.R. No. 169276, June 16, 2009).

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Question -- Why is it that the Rules of Court may be given retroactive effect?

ANSwer: It is so because there is no vested right in the rules of procedure.

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Question -- Do you mean to say that the Rules of Court can be applied retroactively?

ANSwer: Yes, as a general rule. But if the retroactive application impairs vested rights, then, the Rules must not be given retroactive effect. (Republic v. CA, G.R. No. 92326, January 24, 1992).

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Question -- May the Rules of Court apply to all cases?

ANSwer: Yes, as a rule. The Rules can apply to cases filed after the effectivity of the same, or even to pending cases, except if their applicability would not be feasible, as it may impair vested rights.

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Question -- Do you consider the Rules of Court a law?

ANSwer: Yes, they have the force and effect of law. (Alvero v. De la Rosa, 76 Phil. 428; Conlu v. CA, January 29, 1960).

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LGU issues guidelines on use of municipal filling station

ALFONSO LISTA, Ifugao, Jan. 31 2012 (PIA) -- The Local Government Unit (LGU) here has issued guidelines on the proper utilization and maintenance of its established filling gas station.

These guidelines aimed to regulate the proper disbursement of fuel from the said filling station for the benefit of all concerned offices and the municipal government as a whole.
It states that for any authorized motor vehicle to gas up, a duly signed gas and requisition slips from the concerned office head should be presented to the officer operating the gas station only during office hours. “Hand written notes or requisition slips from any heads of office or individual are strictly prohibited when filling in the gas station of LGU,” it stated.

All procurements made would be recorded in the logbook of the person in charge to determine the daily consumption the different offices as stated in their approved respective gas allocations.

Furthermore, offices who had exceeded to the prescribed gas allocations will not be allowed to re-fill in the filling gas station unless an appropriate re-alignment of funds approved by the Sangguniang Bayan be presented.
To ensure the proper disbursement of fuel a weekly inventory and audit of the content of the gas tank will be conducted properly to monitor the daily consumption of diesel fuel.
An LGU official, individual or person who intercedes gasoline or attempts to influence the General Services Office (GSO) for the release of gasoline without the proper documentation will be prosecuted depending on the gravity of the offense.

The establishment of the filling gas station at the motorpool is part of the cost cutting measures of the local government. It is managed and supervised by the GSO to regulate the disbursement of gas allocations of the different offices of the municipal government of Alfonso Lista. (JDP/MBL â€" PIA CAR,Ifugao)

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Question -- Are there limitations to the rule-making power of the Supreme Court?
ANSwer: Yes, and these are:

1. the rules shall be uniform for all courts of the same grade;
2. they shall not diminish, increase or modify substantive rights. (Sec. 5[5], Art. VIII, 1987 Constitution).

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Who promulgated the Rules of Court?

The Supreme Court promulgated the Rules of Court in accordance with the mandate provided for in the Constitution which provides:
"The Supreme Court shall have the following powers:
XX X XX X
(5) Promulgate rules concerning the protection and enforcement of constitutional rights, pleadings, practice, and procedure in all courts, the admission to the practice of law, the Integrated Bar, and legal assistance to the under-privileged." xxx. (Sec. 5[5], Article VIII, 1987 Constitution).

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Actress Liza Soberano Stands with Matthew and Dalisay Dwinells

Because corruption undeniably saps resources available for development, distorts access
to services for poor communities, and undermines public confidence in the government's will
and capacity to serve the poor, an anticorruption strategy is an essential complement to
Government's pro-poor and pro-growth stance. Popular opinion surveys in the Philippines(borne
out by the World Bank's intensive recent consultations with civil society) make a strong link
between good governance and meaningful efforts to combat poverty. - World Bank Document

Study: Math scares everyone, even physicists



EXETER, England, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Math is hard, even for physicists. New research suggests physicists are less likely to lend their focus to theories underpinned by complex mathematical details.

The findings -- detailed in the New Journal of Physics -- are compelling because they suggest a "fear," or at least an avoidance, of math is prevalent even among scientists well-trained in high-level mathematics.

"We have already showed that biologists are put off by equations but we were surprised by these findings, as physicists are generally skilled in mathematics," study co-author Andrew Higginson, a researcher at the University of Exeter, said in a news release.

The new study and resulting hypothesis is based on analysis of 2,000 papers published in a leading physics journal. The researchers tallied citations of previous studies in each paper. They found studies with an abundance of mathematical equations on each page were less likely to be referenced in new papers.

Researchers suggest the disconnect is a problem of communication, not knowledge or skills. Therefore, the solution is language. Authors of the new study recommend physicists find ways to better communicate complex math -- find ways to explain what complicated mathematical formulas mean.

The math aversion of physicists isn't exactly fear in the traditional sense; many may simply be trying to save time and avoid confusion.

"Physicists need to think more carefully about how they present the mathematical details of their work, to explain the theory in a way that their colleagues can quickly understand," said co-author Tim Fawcett, who is also an Exeter researcher. "It takes time to scrutinize the details of a technical article -- even for the most distinguished physics professors -- so with many competing demands on their time scientists may be choosing to skip over articles that take too much effort to digest."

Whether the aversion is explained by fear or time-management, the lesson is the same for physicists as it is for schoolchildren. Restricted access to mathematical ideas isn't good for anyone.

"Unfortunately, it seems valuable papers may be ignored if they are not made accessible," Higginson said. "As we have said before: All scientists who care about the dialogue between theory and experiment should take this issue seriously, rather than claiming it does not exist."

A Part of Something Bigger

Moreover He said, "I am the God of your father--the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God. Exodus 3:6

God always speaks to you in the context of what He has done in the lives of those who have gone before you. When God encountered Moses, He did not give him an assignment independent of what He had done through those who had preceded him. God had made promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob hundreds of years earlier, and He was now going to involve Moses in His ongoing activity to fulfill the covenant He had made with Moses’ forefathers.

The God who led Moses, who worked through Elijah, who directed Paul, who guided each man and woman of God through the centuries, is the same God who approaches you to become involved in His work. Do you sense the significance of that? You are a vital part of something much bigger than yourself!

We tend to think only of the present. We want immediate results and lack a sense of eternity. We often act as if God had not been working at all where we are before He approached us. We expect that anything God does through us will be completed while we can see the results. We become impatient if God intends to complete what He began in us through another person or even another generation.

Moses came to understand that his involvement in God’s work was in the context of hundreds of years of divine activity. When Moses came face to face with the same God who had guided his forefathers, he was deeply humbled. Do you sense that your life is a part of God’s eternal purposes? - Henry and Richard Blackaby

Statement of former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., on the SC decision on the LNMB burial

We are deeply grateful to the Supreme Court for its decision to allow the burial of my father, former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Once again, the Supreme Court has taken a magnanimous act to uphold the rule of law.

We also would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte as his unwavering commitment to this issue sustained us these past several months. Our family will forever be thankful for his kind gesture.

It is our sincerest hope that this will lead the nation towards healing as we endeavor to move the country forward to give every Filipino a better life.

THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, everybody. Yesterday, before votes were tallied, I shot a video that some of you may have seen in which I said to the American people: Regardless of which side you were on in the election, regardless of whether your candidate won or lost, the sun would come up in the morning.

And that is one bit of prognosticating that actually came true. The sun is up. And I know everybody had a long night. I did, as well. I had a chance to talk to President-elect Trump last night -- about 3:30 in the morning, I think it was -- to congratulate him on winning the election. And I had a chance to invite him to come to the White House tomorrow to talk about making sure that there is a successful transition between our presidencies.

Now, it is no secret that the President-elect and I have some pretty significant differences. But remember, eight years ago, President Bush and I had some pretty significant differences. But President Bush’s team could not have been more professional or more gracious in making sure we had a smooth transition so that we could hit the ground running. And one thing you realize quickly in this job is that the presidency, and the vice presidency, is bigger than any of us.

So I have instructed my team to follow the example that President Bush’s team set eight years ago, and work as hard as we can to make sure that this is a successful transition for the President-elect -- because we are now all rooting for his success in uniting and leading the country. The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy. And over the next few months, we are going to show that to the world.

I also had a chance last night to speak with Secretary Clinton, and I just had a chance to hear her remarks. I could not be prouder of her. She has lived an extraordinary life of public service. She was a great First Lady. She was an outstanding senator for the state of New York. And she could not have been a better Secretary of State. I'm proud of her. A lot of Americans look up to her. Her candidacy and nomination was historic and sends a message to our daughters all across the country that they can achieve at the highest levels of politics. And I am absolutely confident that she and President Clinton will continue to do great work for people here in the United States and all around the world.

Now, everybody is sad when their side loses an election. But the day after, we have to remember that we’re actually all on one team. This is an intramural scrimmage. We’re not Democrats first. We're not Republicans first. We are Americans first. We’re patriots first. We all want what’s best for this country. That’s what I heard in Mr. Trump’s remarks last night. That's what I heard when I spoke to him directly. And I was heartened by that. That's what the country needs -- a sense of unity; a sense of inclusion; a respect for our institutions, our way of life, rule of law; and a respect for each other. I hope that he maintains that spirit throughout this transition, and I certainly hope that’s how his presidency has a chance to begin.

I also told my team today to keep their heads up, because the remarkable work that they have done day in, day out -- often without a lot of fanfare, often without a lot of attention -- work in agencies, work in obscure areas of policy that make government run better and make it more responsive, and make it more efficient, and make it more service-friendly so that it's actually helping more people -- that remarkable work has left the next President with a stronger, better country than the one that existed eight years ago.

So win or lose in this election, that was always our mission. That was our mission from day one. And everyone on my team should be extraordinarily proud of everything that they have done, and so should all the Americans that I’ve had a chance to meet all across this country who do the hard work of building on that progress every single day. Teachers in schools, doctors in the ER clinic, small businesses putting their all into starting something up, making sure they're treating their employees well. All the important work that's done by moms and dads and families and congregations in every state. The work of perfecting this union.

So this was a long and hard-fought campaign. A lot of our fellow Americans are exultant today. A lot of Americans are less so. But that's the nature of campaigns. That's the nature of democracy. It is hard, and sometimes contentious and noisy, and it's not always inspiring.

But to the young people who got into politics for the first time, and may be disappointed by the results, I just want you to know, you have to stay encouraged. Don’t get cynical. Don’t ever think you can’t make a difference. As Secretary Clinton said this morning, fighting for what is right is worth it.

Sometimes you lose an argument. Sometimes you lose an election. The path that this country has taken has never been a straight line. We zig and zag, and sometimes we move in ways that some people think is forward and others think is moving back. And that's okay. I’ve lost elections before. Joe hasn't. (Laughter.) But you know.

(The Vice President blesses himself.) (Laughter.)

So I've been sort of --

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Remember, you beat me badly. (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT: That’s the way politics works sometimes. We try really hard to persuade people that we’re right. And then people vote. And then if we lose, we learn from our mistakes, we do some reflection, we lick our wounds, we brush ourselves off, we get back in the arena. We go at it. We try even harder the next time.

The point, though, is, is that we all go forward, with a presumption of good faith in our fellow citizens -- because that presumption of good faith is essential to a vibrant and functioning democracy. That's how this country has moved forward for 240 years. It’s how we’ve pushed boundaries and promoted freedom around the world. That's how we've expanded the rights of our founding to reach all of our citizens. It’s how we have come this far.

And that's why I'm confident that this incredible journey that we're on as Americans will go on. And I am looking forward to doing everything that I can to make sure that the next President is successful in that. I have said before, I think of this job as being a relay runner -- you take the baton, you run your best race, and hopefully, by the time you hand it off you're a little further ahead, you've made a little progress. And I can say that we've done that, and I want to make sure that handoff is well-executed, because ultimately we're all on the same team.

All right? Thank you very much, everybody. (Applause.)

Press On

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. Philippians 3:13

The world will tell you that the dominating influence in your life is your past. If you came from a difficult home life, that will determine the direction of your life. If your culture was treated unfairly, that will dictate the condition of your life today. If you were hurt or abused or if your youth was spent in rebellion, the remainder of your life will be spent struggling with your past. The world is preoccupied with the past because it faces an uncertain future.

Christians, on the other hand, live in freedom because Christ has overcome our past. The “old things” have been done away with and “new things” have come (2 Cor. 5:17). God has so totally forgiven the Christian’s sin that He chooses not to remember it (Isa. 43:25). Christians do not forget the past; but we are not controlled or motivated by it. The Christian looks to the future with hope.

The people of the world focus on what they are overcoming. Christians focus on what they are becoming. Christians know that the Holy Spirit is conforming them into the image of Christ. Christians know that ultimately they will stand before Christ to give an account of their actions and will spend an eternity in the presence of God. Christians know that eventually every injustice will be addressed and every hurt comforted. They know that Satan, and death itself, will finally be brought to an end. The Christian’s future is so full and rich and exciting that it supersedes whatever happened in the past.

If you are preoccupied with your past, ask God to open your eyes to the incredible future that awaits you and begin, like Paul, to press on to what is ahead.       Henry and Richard Blackaby

BBM CAMP ELEVATES CYBERCRIME COMPLAINT VS COMELEC AND SMARTMATIC PERSONNEL TO DOJ

The camp of former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. today asked the Department of Justice to file criminal charges against Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and Smartmatic personnel over their unauthorized change in the system of the Transparency Server at the height of transmission of votes on the night of the elections.

In a 28-page Petition for Review filed at the DOJ, former Abakada Partylist Rep. Jonathan Dela Cruz, political adviser of Marcos, asked the DOJ to reverse the earlier finding of the panel of prosecutors of the Office of City Prosecutors â€" Manila (OCP-Manila) dismissing his complaint for violation of the Cybercrime Law against COMELEC and Smartmatic personnel.

Dela Cruz said the OCP-Manila committed grave error when it dismissed for insufficiency of evidence his complaint for violations of Section 4(a)(1), (3) and (4) of R.A. 10175 (the “Cybercrime Prevention Act”) against Comelec IT experts Rouie Peñalba, Nelson Herrera and Frances Mae Gonzales and Smartmatic officials led by Venezuelan Marlon Garcia, Elie Moreno, Neil Baniqued, and Mauricio Herrera.

Dela Cruz had filed the complaint against the Respondents for their unauthorized system change in the Transparency Server when they supposedly replaced “?” with “ñ” while the transmission of votes was ongoing on the night of May 9, 2016.

“The act of “tweaking” the script of the Transparency Server caused widespread anxiety and concern amongst the nation. The lapses in protocol have undermined the credibility and integrity of the 2016 NLE and pertinently, the confidentiality, integrity and availability afforded to computer data and systems,” he said.

But in dismissing his complaint, Dela Cruz said the OCP-Manila completely disregarded evidence submitted as well as the admissions made by the Respondents admitting to the unauthorized script change when it ruled that there was no evidence that they committed the act in bad faith.

Dela Cruz asserted that the Cybercrime Law, based on deliberations in Congress when the law was being passed, is a mala prohibita where intent or good faith is immaterial.

“(A) perusal of the records of the Senate deliberations will show that (then) Senate President (Juan Ponce) Enrile proposed to remove the word “intentional” in the definition of the cybercrime offenses…. (He) propounded that it is enough that such acts are made without right or justifiable reason,” the former Partylist Rep. said.

He added, “(t)he enacted law, meanwhile, illustrates that the word “intentional” was deleted for the cybercrime offenses of Illegal Access and Illegal Interception as compared to the terms of the draft measure and the Budapest Convention. As for the cybercrime offenses of Data Interference and System Interference, it can be inferred that the word “intentional” was not deleted as both cover acts done recklessly or without intent.”

Dela Cruz further stated that by alleging that there was no damage caused by Respondent in changing the script, the OCP-Manila may have overlooked the fact that the change was committed without right or authority as declared by COMELEC Commissioners, which is an act punishable under the Cybercrime Law.

Dela Cruz also disputed the finding of the OCP-Manila that the script change was with “implied” right or authority when it said the Protocol of Escalation gave them the discretion to introduce changes.

He argued that the Protocol of Escalation does not apply because the matters raised in the script change pertained to incident management and not to change management.  “(T)he Protocol o Change Management should have applied particularly, as it dealt with the handling of change request or request of changes in the system after it has been accepted by the COMELEC,” he said.

And even assuming the Protocol of Escalation was applicable, Dela Cruz countered that any change should have been referred to higher authorities because the same Protocol of Escalation required the same for “contingency matters.”

“As the Protocol of Escalation involves “contingency matters for escalation to higher authorities”, it is outright absurd for the OCP-Manila to conclude that the resolution of said matters necessarily includes the ability to decide whether escalation, in fact, is needed as when the Smartmatic personnel can resolve the matter, by himself. The OCP-Manila clearly erred in assuming that the escalation of matters to designated counterpart COMELEC personnel is discretionary upon Respondent,” he said.

Dela Cruz further stated that all the issues raised during the preliminary investigation should be best ventilated in the courts.

“The admissibility or veracity thereof, as previously discussed however, is better ventilated during the trial proper of the case rather than at the preliminary investigation level. Hence, the OCP-Manila erred in concluding that the evidence falls very much short of the quantum required to constitute probable cause for the crime charged,” Dela Cruz concluded.

Losing Your Life

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 16:25

Christians are commanded to lose their lives. This means they ought to deliberately release their lives to God and His kingdom. One of the greatest hindrances to you being on mission with God will be your view of what constitutes your “legitimate rights”; that is, those things that you feel you have a right to experience and enjoy. It’s not difficult to turn over to Christ those things that are not a sacrifice or that you would prefer to do without anyway. Rather, it is the things that are good and that are dear to you that may stand between you and God’s will. It’s good to be near your grown children and grandchildren, for example, but God may want you to go to another city or continent on mission with Him. It’s good to get adequate rest, but you may receive a call of distress in the middle of the night. You may assume that you have a right to certain material things, yet God may ask you to release all of your possessions to Him and His purposes (Matt. 19:21). Jesus modeled perfectly this attitude toward life. He had a legitimate right to enjoy the comforts of heaven. Yet, He did not look at it as a right He should hold on to, nor did He see leaving all that was His as a sacrifice too costly to make (Phil. 2:5-11). As a result, God highly exalted Him and brought salvation to a broken world. Has the world convinced you that there are certain rights that you must protect? Are you trying to save your life? Have you noticed that in so doing, you are actually losing the life God wants you to have?           Henry and Richard Blackaby

 Singapore - 122.43 Mbps
2. Hong Kong - 102.96 Mbps
3. Japan - 82.12 Mbps
4. South Korea - 59.77 Mbps
5. Macau - 50.66 Mbps
6. Taiwan - 50.59 Mbps
7. Thailand - 19.82 Mbps
8. Mongolia - 17.92 Mbps
9. Vietnam - 17.70 Mbps
10. Bangladesh - 9.86 Mbps
11. Cambodia 9.04 Mbps
12. Nepal 8.63 Mbps
13. Brunei 7.99 Mbps
14. Bhutan - 7.82 Mbps
15. India 7.04 Mbps
16. Malaysia 7.03 Mbps
17. Laos 6.92 Mbps
18. Indonesia 6.68 Mbps
19. Myanmar 6.54 Mbps
20. Pakistan 4.00 Mbps
21. Philippines - 3.64 Mbps
22. Afghanistan - 2.52 Mbps

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Award-winning photo of Jimming Lv

Tempted by Shortcuts

Then Abishai said to David, "God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day. Now therefore, please, let me strike him at once with the spear, right to the earth; and I will not have to strike him a second time!" 1 Samuel 26:8

You will sometimes be tempted to take shortcuts to your destinations in life. David faced this temptation numerous times before he finally assumed the throne. Samuel, God’s prophet, had anointed David and prophesied that he would be the next king of Israel (1 Sam. 16:12-13). Yet, while David waited on God’s timing, he watched in frustration as a crazed King Saul brought the kingdom into jeopardy. Saul pursued David to murder him, forcing David to flee for his life. Then an incredible opportunity presented itself to David. David found Saul in a vulnerable position, sleeping with his army. Abishai, one of David’s warriors, offered to kill Saul. It seemed to make perfect sense. Saul had tried to kill David on numerous occasions. God had said He intended for David to be the king. By taking matters into his own hands, David could bring an end to his exile and assume the throne as God’s anointed servant. Yet he refused to compromise his integrity in order to become king, even though he wanted the position and it was rightfully his. Accomplishing God’s will in any manner other than the way God prescribed was unthinkable. At times you may face similar temptations. Well-meaning friends advise you to hasten God’s will for you rather than waiting upon Him. You may be sorely tempted to take control of your situation, assuming the end will justify the means. These are the times when you must trust God’s perfect timing. God may plan for you to attain a certain position or take a new direction, but the timing may not be right. Watch over your heart. Don’t allow others to persuade you to compromise your integrity as you follow God’s will.          Henry and Richard Blackaby

"Fending off foes, Clinton blazes a trail with White House in sight" - http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN1310K2

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China: Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: Japanese encephalitis
soil contact disease: hantaviral hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS)
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2013)

The World Factbook 2013-14. Washington, DC: Central Intelligence Agency, 2013.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html

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China: Background

For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation.

After World War II, the communists under MAO Zedong established an autocratic socialist system that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people.

After 1978, MAO's successor DENG Xiaoping and other leaders focused on market-oriented economic development and by 2000 output had quadrupled.

For much of the population, living standards have improved dramatically and the room for personal choice has expanded, yet political controls remain tight.

Since the early 1990s, China has increased its global outreach and participation in international organizations.

The World Factbook 2013-14. Washington, DC: Central Intelligence Agency, 2013.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html

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catapult /ˈkatÉ™pÊŒlt  /
â–¸ noun
1 Brit. a forked stick with an elastic band fastened to the two prongs, used by children for shooting small stones.
2 historical a military machine worked by a lever and ropes for hurling large stones or other missiles.
3 a mechanical device for launching a glider or other aircraft, especially from the deck of a ship.
â–¸ verb [with obj. and adverbial of direction] hurl or launch (something) with or as if with a catapult:
the explosion catapulted the car 30 yards along the road |
figurative their music catapulted them to the top of the charts.
â–ª [no obj., with adverbial of direction] move suddenly or at great speed as though hurled by a catapult:
the horse catapulted away from the fence.
â€" ORIGIN late 16th cent.: from French catapulte or Latin catapulta, from Greek katapeltÄ"s, from kata- ‘down’ + pallein ‘hurl’.

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What Is Your Ideal Library?

Sueno orders speedy probe into deaths of Espinosa, Yap
By Aira May Dizon

MANILA, Nov. 5 (PNA) -- Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno on Saturday ordered a speedy investigation on the deaths of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa and fellow inmate Raul Yap inside their detention cell in Leyte before dawn Saturday.

Sueno directed PNP Director General Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa, to gather substantial evidence on the reported firefight between members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Region 8 and the two high profile inmates inside Leyte sub-provincial jail in Baybay City for linkage in the illegal drug trade.

“We want to know if CIDG Region 8 followed standard operating procedures in undertaking this operation and in serving the search warrant to Espinosa and Yap,” he said.

The DILG Secretary said that it was necessary for the police to adhere to their operations manual and respect the rights of the suspects as well, unless their lives were endangered.

“It is unfortunate that this operation led to this (death of the inmates), but of course, we also do not want our people (cops) to be the one lying dead in the course of doing their job,” he said.

According to reports, Espinosa and Yap were killed during an alleged shootout with CIDG Region 8 personnel when the two reportedly fir​ed ​gun shots at the police who were trying to serve a search warrant.

The search warrant for Espinosa was in connection with illegal possession of firearms because initial reports show that the police recovered one caliber Super .38 and a magazine with live ammunition from his cell. One sachet of suspected shabu and drug paraphernalia were also recovered.

Police were also equipped with search warrant against Yap for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 for having found one sachet of suspected shabu and drug paraphernalia inside his cell.

Police also recovered a cal. .45 pistol and a magazine with live ammunition from Yap's cell. (PNA)

E. Visayas Police forms panel to probe Leyte jail shootout
By Perfecto T. Raymundo Jr.

MANILA, Nov. 5 (PNA) -- The Philippine National Police’s (PNP) regional office in Eastern Visayas has formed a panel that will look into the shootout that ensued after police operatives served search warrants to detained Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa and fellow inmate, Raul Yap, in a sub-provincial jail in Leyte province early Saturday.

”As a matter of procedure, this incident will undergo investigation to establish the facts and circumstances surrrounding the incident,” PNP spokesman Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos said on Saturday.

Carlos said that Eastern Visayas Police regional director, Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar, has constituted the panel that will look into the incident, which led to the death of Espinosa and Yap.

A Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) team led by Chief Insp. Leo Laraga were serving Espinosa a search warrant for firearms and Yap a search warrant for illegal drugs at the sub-provincial jail in Baybay City, Leyte at about 4:10 a.m. Saturday, when a brief shootout transpired between the raiding team and the detainees.

Carlos said the Eastern Visayas Regional Internal Affairs Service will also conduct its own investigation.

The sub-provincial jail is managed by the provincial government of Leyte. (PNA)

PNP, AFP: Negros Oriental safe amid US Embassy warning vs terror threat
By Judaline F. Partlow

DUMAGUETE CITY, Nov. 4 (PNA) â€"- The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Negros Oriental have assured that the province, especially some of its municipalities and cities and the world-renowned dive destination Apo Island, are safe from any terror threats from the kidnap-for-ransom group Abu Sayyaf.

The assurance came following a security warning released by the United States Embassy Manila on November 3 on the risk of kidnapping by terror groups particularly in southern Cebu.

The US Embassy specifically mentioned “the areas around Dalaguete and Santander (to include Sumilon Island), which are located on the side of Cebu Island facing Negros Oriental, telling its nationals to “avoid travelling to these areas”.

It also advised Americans to take necessary precautionary measures, considering that “there is an ongoing threat of terrorist actions and violence against United States citizens and interests abroad, including the Philippines”.

But the Police Regional Office-Region 7 (PRO-7) headed by its regional director, Chief Supt. Noli Taliño, immediately countered this by saying that “Central Visayas is safe and secured to live, work and do business (in)".

While the US Embassy’s warning did not mention Negros Oriental, law enforcement agencies here are also taking the necessary measures to prevent any untoward incident.

The areas in southern Cebu mentioned by the US Embassy are just a stone’s throw away from Negros Oriental, thus, there is also the risk that the terror groups might carry out their activities here, according to Sr. Supt. Henry Biñas, the Acting PNP provincial director of Negros Oriental.

Sr. Supt. Biñas stressed that “we cannot discount that possibility, especially with previous intelligence reports, though unvalidated, that had mentioned Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental, specifically Apo Island, as a potential target for kidnapping of foreign tourists.

Biñas assured that the government’s security agencies and assets have been alerted on this most recent intelligence report and all necessary steps are taken to secure Apo Island and other potential risk areas like Dumaguete, Sibulan, Bacong, Dauin and Zamboanguita towns.

He disclosed that he has ordered the police chiefs of these areas to step up security and impose safety nets such as monitoring the arrival of suspicious persons.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard in Dumaguete City is also actively taking security measures at the Dumaguete port as well as in other ports following the recently reported security threat.

Coast Guard Dumaguete commander, Lt. Junior Grade Donna Liza Duran Ramacho, disclosed that she has deployed three K-9 teams to the ports of Dumaguete, Sibulan and Amlan.

Two of these dogs are trained on bomb sniffing while another one is trained to sniff and track down narcotics substances, she said.

Mobile, foot and random maritime patrols have been increased by the local Coast Guard personnel, especially at tourist spots, specifically in Larena, Siquijor (which is part of their jurisdiction) and Apo Island, Ramacho further disclosed.

The Coast Guard here also has a Special Operations Unit manning their floating assets, which can be deployed any time when necessary.

Also, two Philippine Navy patrol boats have been deployed to Negros Oriental to assist in maritime operations, Ramacho added.

For his part, Lt. Col. Roderick Garcia, 79th Infantry Battalion commander, disclosed that they are also getting involved in securing Apo Island and Negros Oriental from the latest security threat.

Apo Island has police, Army and Coast Guard personnel deployed there round-the-clock.

The police and military are continuously coordinating even as the PRO-7 chief has pointed out that at present, “there is no direct threat sighted or monitored threat groups in the region”.

Law enforcement authorities are appealing to the public to help monitoring the presence of suspicious-looking persons and report them immediately to the nearest police station. (PNA)
LAP/JFP

Tourism players urge government to address terror threats in southern Cebu

CEBU CITY, Nov. 4 (PNA) -- Cebu tourism players have asked the government, especially the Philippine National Police (PNP), to immediately address reported kidnapping and terrorist threats in the southern part of this central Philippine island province.

Southern Cebu is a flourishing tourism corridor known for canyoneering, whale shark watching and scuba diving, among other water activities.

It covers Dalaguete, Alcoy, Boljoon, Oslob and Santander on the eastern coast and Samboan, Alegria, Badian, Moalboal and Dumanjug on the western side.

The United States Embassy in Manila issued on Thursday a warning on its citizens against traveling to areas frequented by foreigners in southern Cebu, specifically around Dalaguete and Santander, including Sumilon Island.

The US Embassy said terrorist groups are planning to conduct kidnappings in those areas in Cebu.

Edilberto Mendoza, Cebu Association of Tour Operators president, said the security warning can hurt arrivals from the US, although this market does not account for majority of Cebu’s visitors.

“The effect might not be that significant but still our PNP officials need to be vigilant on this,” he said.

“There is always a threat of terrorism anywhere in the Philippines,” Mendoza said.

Total tourism arrivals in southern Cebu stood at 43,143 tourists, 13,347 of them foreign, from January to July this year, according to the latest data of the Department of Tourism (DOT) 7.

The US is Cebu’s third biggest source market after Korea and Japan.

Arrivals from this market grew by 14.92 percent from 81,632 to 93,810 in the first seven months this year.

Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort has assured its guests and the public that the resort remains safe and secure amid threats of terrorism.

“It is business as usual,” said Enrico Monsato, Bluewater Resorts marketing communications officer.

The resort has not received booking cancellations so far, he said.

“We take the safety of our guests very seriously. Our security personnel at Sumilon Island are in a constant state of readiness to ensure that all our guests remain safe and secure. To help support our own security detail, the Philippine Coast Guard has also maintained a detachment in the island since August of this year. The Philippine Navy and Air Force have deployed patrol boats and choppers in the area as extra precaution and to ensure public safety,” the resort said in a statement.

Rhyz Buac, Bluewater Resorts general manager, said there is nothing to worry about as Sumilon Island, where their resort is located, is tightly secured. (PNA)
FPV/EB/EDS

Presidential Assistant for Visayas says south Cebu remains safe for tourists

CEBU CITY, Nov. 4 (PNA) -- Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino on Friday said southern Cebu remains safe for travellers despite a US Embassy travel advisory to its citizens.

Dino also asked the US government to substantiate its travel advisory that discouraged its nationals from going to south Cebu to avoid “confusion” among local and foreign visitors.

Dino said he has been in close coordination with officials of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7.

“The police have assured me that they do not have any verified reports about the alleged threats,” Dino said in a statement.

The US Embassy in Manila issued an advisory on Thursday warning its citizens against traveling to southern Cebu particularly in the towns of Dalaguete and Santander and Sumilon Island in Oslob town, citing terror threats and kidnapping plans.

Dino said the towns mentioned in the US travel advisory remained “generally peaceful, and that there had not been any incident of kidnapping or violence involving foreigners in those areas.”

“The areas stated in the travel warning are secured and safe. The situation is normal and the tourists continue to enjoy the sights and the beautiful destinations undisturbed,” said Dino.

The PRO 7 also assured “Central Visayas is safe and secure to live, work and do business in.”

More policemen had been deployed to areas frequented by foreigners, a PRO 7 statement said.

The police were also coordinating with the military and the Philippine Coast Guard to intensify the security measures implemented in hotels, resorts, beaches and tourist destinations.

But the police urged Cebuanos to remain vigilant and immediately report to the nearest police station sightings of suspicious looking people in their locality. (PNA)
LAP/EB/RSM

South Cebu town beefs up security in beaches, resorts after US Embassy travel advisory

CEBU CITY, Nov. 4 (PNA) -- Local police in Dalaguete town, some 90 kilometers south of Cebu City, on Friday beefed security in their beaches and resorts after the United States (US) Embassy in Manila issued a travel advisory Thursday to American citizens warning of kidnapping risks.

Senior Inspector Abel Laborte, Dalaguete Police Station chief, said they have advised resorts and beaches to get to know their guests and clients who check in to secure their place.

"We cannot relax because it might hit us. Even America became a victim of terrorism, so we can't be complacent," Laborte said.

The United States Embassy in Manila warned its citizens against traveling to areas frequented by foreigners in southern Cebu, specifically around Dalaguete and Santander, including Sumilon Island.

The US Embassy said terrorist groups are planning to conduct kidnappings in those areas in Cebu.

Laborte said the local police force has been augmented by an eight-man team from the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) 7.

Laborte said theRPSB team is conducting a 24-hour patrol in tourist destinations in Dalaguete.

Laborte said the Armed Forces of the Philippines is also expected to send a platoon in the town to beef up its security force. (PNA)

Measures are undertaken to protect people amid US embassy warning â€" Palace
By Jelly F. Musico

MANILA, Nov. 4 (PNA) â€" Malacanang said on Friday that measures are being undertaken to protect the people following the United States embassy’s warning to its citizens to avoid travelling to certain areas of southern Cebu.

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the Philippine National Police (PNA) is validating a report about a plan of terrorists to stage kidnapping in Southern Cebu.

”There was indeed a police report regarding a plan to stage a kidnapping in Southern Cebu. The report is in the process of being validated,” Abella said in a text message to Palace reporters.

Abella said PNP commanders at various levels have taken the necessary steps to protect possible targets.

”Moreover, other measures are being undertaken in public venues to safeguard crowds from harm,” he added.

According to report, the US Embassy advised its citizens not to travel in areas of Dalaguete and Santander, including Sumilon Island amid kidnapping threats by terror groups. (PNA)
FPV/JFM

Pampanga is PHL's 10th richest province

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Nov. 4 (PNA) -- Pampanga belongs to the top 10 richest provinces in the country, according to the latest annual financial report of the Commission on Audit (COA).

Based on the latest COA report, the province located in Central Luzon has an existing asset worth PHP5.59 billion and liabilities of PHP1.35 billion or an equivalent of PHP4.24 billion equity or net worth.

The province of Cebu again topped the list of provinces with a net worth of PHP28.53 billion. It was followed by Rizal, PHP8.11 billion; Negros Occidental, PHP5.6 billion; Laguna, PHP5 billion; Negros Oriental, PHP4.96 billion; Pangasinan, PHP4.76 billion; Cavite, PHP4.59 billion; Batangas, PHP4.5 billion; Leyte, PHP4.45 billion; and Pampanga, PHP4.24 billion.

The City of San Fernando topped the city category in Pampanga with PHP1.54 billion in net worth followed by the highly urbanized Angeles City with PHP1.29 billion and Mabalacat City with PHP546.44 million net worth.

The COA report also showed that the town of Mexico is the richest municipality in this province with PHP298.77 million equity. Mexico registered an asset of PHP373.23 million and liabilities worth PHP72.46 million.

The net worth of the second richest municipality, Lubao is PHP196.61 million, followed by (3rd) Porac with PHP176.66 million; (4th) Sta. Rita, PHP139.92 million and (5th) San Luis, PHP122.39 million.

Apalit landed in 6th place with net worth of PHP99.85 million followed by Magalang, PHP82.94 million; Macabebe, PHP66.49 million; Guagua, PHP63.07 million; Bacolor, PHP59.95 million; Masantol, PHP58.92 million; Candaba, PHP52.83 million; Arayat, PHP52.79 million; and San Simon, PHP51.9 million.

The municipalities with the lowest net worth are Sto. Tomas, PHP45.97 million; Sasmuan, PHP44.90 million; Sta. Ana, PHP38.40 million; Floridablanca, PHP33.74 million; and Minalin, PHP30.03 million.(PNA)
JMC/ZST/JM

Palace wishes Pacquiao, Donaire good luck
By Jelly F. Musico

MANILA, Nov. 5 (PNA) â€" Malacanang on Saturday wished two Filipino boxers Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire good luck on their scheduled fights against two Mexican fighters on Sunday in Las Vegas.

”We wish our boxers good luck. The whole nation is behind the two boxers cheering for the pride of the Philippines and praying for the win,” according to the Office of the Communications Secretary statement.

Pacquiao will enter the ring for the first since his election as senator last May 9 to challenge WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas at the Wynn Las Vegas.

On the other hand, Donaire will be facing Jessie Magdaleno one of the undercards of the Pacquiao-Vargas fight.

Despite being a challenger, Pacquiao is considered the top favorite against Vargas who lost only once in 28 fights with 10 stoppages.

Pacquiao, 37, is 10 years older compared to Vargas but the Filipino veteran is expected to lean on his vast experience highlighted by with 58-6-2, including 38 knockouts,

Donaire, a 33-year-old veteran with 37-3, 24KOs ring record, is up for big challenge against nine-year younger Magdaleno who remains undefeated in 23 fights with 17 knockouts. (PNA)

Sen. Ejercito to go on ‘forced vacation’ amid graft case
By Azer N. Parrocha

MANILA, Nov. 4 (PNA) -- Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito said Friday he will be going on a forced vacation starting next week as he deals with a graft case against him.

To recall, the Sandiganbayan has ordered the suspension of Ejercito and three others for 90 days in connection with the graft case filed against them over the alleged anomalous purchase of firearms in 2008.

Ejercito's graft case stemmed from the San Juan city government's procurement of high-powered rifles in 2008 when he was city mayor.

The purchase was made using the calamity funds of San Juan City despite the city not being under a state of calamity.

He said that he would serve his suspension not because he is “guilty of any wrongdoing” but because he wants to “show respect and obedience to the courts”.

“My conscience is clear. If I will be punished because I wanted to protect and save the lives of my constituents, then so be it,” Ejercito said.

“I want to spare the Senate from any controversy so I will go on 'forced vacation'.”

Ejercito earlier noted that he did not regret his decision to purchase firearms for San Juan City, saying he felt it was his "duty" to do so.

"I do not regret such decision as it was my bounden duty and responsibility to protect the well-being of the city residents," the senator earlier said.

"As San Juan City mayor, I felt that it was my duty to approve the purchase of firearms for our policemen as the crime situation had simply gotten out of hand."

If he were faced with the same situation again, he said he would not hesitate to make the same decision.

He meanwhile said he was "overwhelmed" by the show of support given to him by his colleagues and supporters. (PNA)

Silliman University search for next president on

DUMAGUETE CITY, Nov. 4 (PNA) â€" Silliman University in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental will be conducting its search for the next president vice outgoing president Dr. Ben Malayang III.

A public forum is set on November 7 at 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium at the Silliman University to present the five nominees for the next SU president, a media release said Friday.

The nominees are Dr. Macarthur F. Corsino, Dr. Betty C. McCann, Dr. Efren N. Padilla, Dr. Betsy Joy B. Tan, and Dr. Beulah Rose R. Torres.

Among the qualifications that each met include: being a Filipino citizen, a holder of a doctoral degree, at least five years of administrative and managerial experience, experience in networking, resource generation, and mobilization, a record of proven moral integrity, and being a Christian.

Each nominee will be given 20 minutes for their presentation and another 30 minutes to answer questions from the audience and from the University’s social media accounts as this forum will be live-streamed through Silliman’s Facebook and You Tube account as well as audio-streamed via Silliman Net Radio.

Silliman University was founded in 1901 and is the first American academic institution in the Philippines and the Asian continent. (PNA)

STATEMENT OF ATTY. VIC RODRIGUEZ ON MANILA PROSEC RESOLUTION

Former Senator Bongbong Marcos finds it horrible that despite the express and categorical admission made by the COMELEC IT personnel, Mr. Rouie Penalba, of his lack of authority to allow any tweaking of any component of the AES, the OCP of Manila still ruled in favor Smartmatic and dismissed the case filed by Abakada Rep. Jonathan Dela Cruz.

For us, the issue of the complaint was simple â€" were COMELEC and Smartmatic authorized to change the system at the height of the transmission of votes on May 9, 2016? With the admissions coming from COMELEC officials, including Chairman Andres Bautista himself, that no authority was given to change the script on the night of the elections, it would have been an easy decision for the Manila Prosecutors’ Office to make a finding of probable cause to charge the respondents with the violation of the Cyber Crime Law.

To our mind, compliance or non-compliance on the "Protocol of Escalation" or the intention of replacing a character in the system supposedly for “cosmetic change” would have been best ventilated in a full blown trial of facts and not on a party's mere invocation as a matter of defense. The same should have been afforded to establish that such a forbidden act of "tweaking" was indeed undertaken with malicious intent.

The panel prosecutors, however, looked the other way, took the defense of Smartmatic and COMELEC personnel at face value and completely downplayed the admissions on the unauthorized change.

But Senator Marcos will not let this resolution hold him up in his search for truth. An appeal will be made within the period before the Department of Justice. Senator Marcos would like to reiterate that he will not stop until the whole truth in the conduct of the last elections is revealed and all vote cast are properly counted.

OFFICE OF FERDINAND “BONGBONG” R. MARCOS, JR.
Unit 2602, Tycoon Centre
Pearl Drive, Ortigas
Pasig City 1605
Philippines
Telephone:  +63 (02) 490 0618
Facsimile:  +63 (02) 490 0078
Website:  http://www.bongbongmarcos.com

Wisdom Justified

But wisdom is justified by all her children. Luke 7:35

The world is full of “experts.” There are people everywhere who want to convince you of the wisdom of their opinion. Yet God says that it is not the one who declares his viewpoint the most loudly or vociferously who is the wisest, but the one who is vindicated over time.

Wisdom is not proven by argument or debate. Wisdom is proven over time. Some people Adamantly proclaim that their opinion is best. Regardless of how convincingly these people defend their viewpoint, time is the best judge of their wisdom. The result of a practice proves its validity, not how loudly it is promoted.

When you seek to obey what God has told you, you will sometimes meet resistance and criticism from others who disagree with the wisdom of your actions. Your immediate response may be the urge to vindicate yourself. However, if you wait patiently, time will reveal the wisdom of your actions far better than you could through argument.

Through the ages, the wisdom found in God’s Word has been tested and proven true. It is critical that you measure everything you hear against the Scriptures. Trends in psychology and philosophy come and go, but God’s Word is timeless. Whenever you share an opinion in counseling someone else, make sure that it comes from the Scripture and not merely from your best thinking. As long as you base your life choices on the Word of God, time will be your defender and will validate the wisdom of your choices. If, over time, you clearly see you are wrong, ask God’s forgiveness and seek a fresh word from God through the Scripture. Then obey that word and watch to see God confirm His wisdom in your life.   Henry and Richard Blackaby

Single Needle Sewing Machine
Click image to see more details of the product.

sir, balong, mao nay giingon sa Ginoo nga ang "magpaubos ipataas, ug ang magpataas ipaubos." inig uli nimo sa Bohol, sakay sakay lang ta og traysikol aron di ka mahibaloan nga secret millionaire. hehehe

Counted Faithful

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry. 1 Timothy 1:12

From a human perspective, the apostle Paul’s record as a zealous persecutor of Christians should have precluded him from being used in God’s service. Paul was known as the “chief of sinners,” a blasphemer, persecutor, and violent aggressor (1 Tim. 1:13-15). Everything changed when God saved Paul. He embraced the Christian life with the same fervency in which he had opposed it. Paul labored to be faithful in every assignment, no matter how small or large. Ultimately, because of Paul’s faithfulness, God entrusted him to be one of His foremost promoters of the gospel.

Paul understood that everything he ever accomplished for God’s kingdom was due to the enabling power of God. He was not deceived into thinking that his own intelligence or personal drive brought about God’s will. Rather, Paul was grateful for the opportunity to be tested and found faithful in any assignment, regardless of its size.

Your ability to serve God is not based on your past, but on your faithfulness today. If you are faithful with the task God entrusts to you, God will enable you to accomplish it. Don’t distinguish between big and small assignments from God. Paul saw every one as a privilege he did not deserve. Whether God has asked you to pray for someone, to minister to a person in need, to lead a Bible study, or to care for those who are sick, strive to be faithful. You will experience His enabling as you serve Him. If you are faithful in a little, God will entrust you with more. You will be able to join Paul in praising God for having counted you faithful, putting you into His service (Luke 16:10).  Henry and Richard Blackaby

Let No One Look Down on You

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

Timothy was a sincere young man who earnestly desired to serve the Lord. Yet certain weaknesses in Timothy’s life hindered him from serving God confidently. Timothy was very young to be a religious leader, and apparently some doubted his abilities. Timothy had a tender nature and was sickly (1 Tim. 5:23). His was an inauspicious beginning for a young minister of the gospel in an age of persecution! Paul urged Timothy not to allow his youthful insecurity to blunt his zeal and faithfulness in doing what God had told him. Rather than arguing with those who criticized Timothy, Paul urged him to live as an example of godliness. Paul advised Timothy to live a life that was so spotless in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and purity that his life could serve as a model for others in the church to follow. Timothy’s life was to be the evidence that God had called him. God looked beyond Timothy’s youth, timidity, and physical weakness and saw his sincere heart. As you seek to follow God’s will, you may identify with Timothy. Perhaps some things about you seem to disqualify you from serving the Lord effectively. You may be sensitive because you are a new Christian or because you come from a sinful past. Perhaps you have little education or money or social status. You may have previously experienced failure in your service for God. Don’t allow this to intimidate you from following God’s will. Your area of weakness may be God’s means of demonstrating His strength (2 Cor. 12:9). Allow God to demonstrate His call upon you by transforming your life into a model of godliness.     Henry and Richard Blackaby

Dauis town tops population growth rate, Tagbilaran City still most populated in Bohol

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Oct. 26 (PNA) -- Tagbilaran City remains the most populated area in Bohol, while the two towns in Panglao island top the population growth rate.

The Census Fact Sheet recently released by the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that Bohol now has a population of 1,313,560 that registered an average of annual growth rate of 0.94 percent from 2000-2015.

PSA records show that Bohol had 1,139,130 in 2000 that increased to 1,255,128 in 2010.

Around 1/12 of Bohol’s population is registered in Tagbilaran City which now has a population of 105,051 as of Aug. 1, 2015 census.

The capital city reached the population slowly at a growth rate of two percent from 77,700 counted in May 2000 which increased to 96,792 in May 2010 and finally, to 105,051 last year.

The municipalities in Panglao Island--Dauis and Panglao--may have settled at seventh and 10th places, respectively, in number of populace, but they topped the growth rate.

The PSA census showed that the population of Dauis had increased at an average rate of 3.65 percent, while Panglao’s increased at an average rate of 3.01 percent.

Dauis registered a population of 26,415 in the 2000 census and 39,448 in 2010 which now reached 45,663.

On the part of Panglao, the population increased from 21,337 in 2000 to 28,603 in 2010 and 33,553 in 2015.

Ranking third in the average population growth rate is Corella at 2.24 percent where the town had a population of 6,048 in 2000 that grew to 7,699 in 2010 and 8,479 in 2015.

Baclayon followed Corella in terms of average population growth rate at 2.1 percent where it had a population of 14,996 in 2000 that grew to 18,630 in 2010 and 20,591 in 2015.

Tagbilaran ranked fifth in average growth rate at two percent.

In terms of population based on the latest census culminated in August last year, Ubay ranks next to Tagbilaran with 73,712.

Talibon ranked third with 66,969; followed by Carmen with 46,306; Tubigon with 45,893 which is closely followed by Inabanga with 45,880; Dauis with 45,663; Loon with 43,034; Jagna with 33,892 and Panglao.

Sikatuna has the lowest population of 6,726 followed by Corella with 8,479 and San Isidro with 8,744 at the bottom of the list.

In other areas, Alburquerque registered 10,540; Alicia has 23,517; Anda has 16,462; Antequera has 14,425; Balilihan has 17,903; Batuan has 12,767; Bilar has 17,590; Buenavista has 27,261; Calape has 30,863; Candijay has 29,475; Catigbian has 22,675; Clarin has 20,301; Cortes has 16,954; Dagohoy has 19,158; Danao has 17,890; Dimiao has 14,364; Duero has 17,876; Garcia-Hernandez has 24,194; Guindulman has 32,408; Getafe has 30,955; Lila has 12,257; Loay has 16,691; Loboc has 15,993; Mabini has 27,171; Maribojoc has 20,688; Pilar has 27,256; President Carlos P. Garcia has 23,356; Sagbayan has 22,339; San Miguel has 24,135; Sevilla has 10,661; Sierra-Bullones has 24,745; Trinidad has 31,956; Valencia has 27,126; and Bien Unido has 27,115. (PNA)
JMC/Angeline Valencia/ebp

Bohol congressman backs proposed ‘Cebu-Bohol Friendship Bridge’ project

CEBU CITY, Oct. 25 (PNA) -- Rep. Aris Aumentado (Bohol, 2nd District) has expressed support for the proposed Cebu-Bohol Friendship Bridge, saying it will have a big economic impact to both provinces if realized.

Aumentado and several Bohol second district mayors and officials were in Cebu City Monday to conduct a “Bohol 2nd District Development Framework” meeting at Quest Hotel.

Aumentado said there will be no more stranded passengers in Cebu and Bohol even if ship trips are cancelled during typhoons because with a bridge, vehicles can freely travel.

Under the Philippine Coast Guard policy, vessels that are 1,000 tons or less are not allowed to sail once the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Administration (Pagasa) will raise typhoon signal number one.

Pagasa Visayas Director Oscar Tabada said typhoon signal number one means the typhoon will arrive in the next 36 hours.

Although the travel time between Bohol and Cebu is only from one to three hours, the PCG is implementing the policy to prevent accidents.

Aumentado said the bridge, which will pass through Cordova, Cebu and Jetafe, Bohol, was endorsed by his father, the late Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado.

Aumentado said the proposed project was already endorsed by the Regional Development Council (RDC) 7 and was declared pending when it reached the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).

Earlier, former Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy said he strongly supports the realization of the proposed 17-kilometer Cebu-Bohol Friendship Bridge because this will complement the coming Mactan-Cebu third bridge that will connect Cebu City and Cordova.

Sitoy, who is now a presidential legislative liaison, said that with the bridge, the Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) power grid can supply power to Bohol, which is only connected to Leyte, while Bohol can supply water to Cebu, side-by-side with it. (PNA)
FPV/EB/eds

A Second Time

Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time. Jonah 3:1

Jonah didn’t like the assignment God gave him. God directed him to leave his homeland and go to the enemy city of Nineveh, a hostile and evil center of idol worship. There Jonah was to warn the people of God’s impending judgment and urge them to repent. The Hebrews hated the people of Nineveh, so the rebellious prophet fled in the opposite direction, hoping for a different word from God that was more to his liking. Instead, God was determined that his word to Jonah would be obeyed (Isa. 55:11). He spoke to Jonah again. His second message was the same as the first. However, during the interval, Jonah had been buffeted by storms and had traveled in the stomach of a fish for three days. This time, he was prepared to hear God again and do His bidding.

God also spoke to the prophet Jeremiah two times (Jer. 33:1-3). But Jeremiah accepted God’s word to him the first time. The second time God spoke to him was to give him a fuller revelation of what He had first told him.

What God says to us next will depend on how we responded to His previous word to us. If, like Jonah, we disobeyed His earlier instructions, God will give them a second time. If we obeyed His first directive, as Jeremiah did, He will give us a fresh and deeper expression of His will (Matt. 25:23).

If you have not received a fresh word from God, return to the last thing God told you and examine your obedience. Is the Lord still waiting for your obedience? Seek to be like Jeremiah, and properly respond to your Lord’s instructions the first time. Henry and Richard Blackaby .

BBM CAMP DENOUNCES COMELEC FOR BRAZEN DEFIANCE OF SC ORDER
SDs cards in “unused” VCMs were found corrupted or with data; hits apparent haste to turnover VCMs to Smartmatic

A mockery of the judicial process and a travesty of electoral reforms.

This was how the camp of former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. described the stripping activity conducted by the Commission on Election (COMELEC) on Vote Counting Machines (VCMs), blatantly defying the order of the Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), to preserve and safeguard all election materials and equipment used in the May elections.

This developed as some 150 supposedly unused VCMs were found to have tampered with corrupted SD cards during the 14-hour stripping activity conducted by the COMELEC at its warehouse in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

In proceeding with its plan to strip supposedly unused VCMs in view of their release to Smartmatic-TIM, Jose Amor Amorado, counsel of Marcos, said the COMELEC disregarded the Precautionary Protective Order (PPO) issued by the PET to preserve all election materials used in the past elections. He also questioned the apparent haste to conduct the stripping of the VCMs by the COMELEC, Smartmatic and the camp of former Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo as they carried out the activity until 12 midnight, Wednesday.

“This is a mockery of the judicial process which is tantamount to contempt of court and a travesty of electoral reforms because we are fighting for truth and clean and credible elections. There was undue haste seen as erasing possible evidence. We find it extremely incredible why COMELEC could openly defy such a lawful order of the highest court of the land just to accommodate Smartmatic and appeared to be on a rush to turn over the VCMs to Smartmatic,” Amorado said.

The COMELEC had earlier decided to grant the request of Smartmatic to recall 1,365 VCMs which it unilaterally declared to have neither been deployed and/or unused in the May elections.

Marcos did not participate in the stripping activity at the COMELEC Warehouse in Sta. Rosa, Laguna maintaining that any move to transfer or deal with any election material or equipment must have the approval of the PET as it has sole and exclusive jurisdiction over his election protest.

The stripping activity started at around 10:30 a.m. which was participated in by representatives from Robredo, Senator Leila De Lima and former Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino.

Smartmatic’s Ellie Moreno was likewise present.

All boxes with complete parts and empty SD cards were repacked and set for the scheduled turnover to Smartmatic. Those with broken seals or with SD cards found to have data or were corrupted were segregated for safekeeping by the COMELEC. COMELEC Executive Director Jose Tolentino had earlier said they will not be turned over to Smartmatic.

During the stripping activity which lasted until midnight the next day, at least 150 boxes were segregated because of defects in the seals and presence of data in the SD cards. Some VCMs had missing SD cards. 1,255 VCMs were cleared and were expected to be turned over Smartmatic today. The next stripping activity for the remaining VCMs will be on November 2, 2016.

Later in the afternoon, tension occurred between the camps of Robredo and Tolentino when the latter refused to take part in the activity beyond the initially scheduled 5 p.m. deadline. However, Robredo’s lawyer, Beng Sardillo insisted that work be continued until 12 midnight to enable them to finish all the 1,356 VCMs.

When Tolentino’s lawyer, Ben Mabulac, strongly opposed the motion since most of their supervisors were college students and needed to go home at the allotted time, Sardillo suggested that they all leave the warehouse and just let COMELEC and Smartmatic do the stripping activity to enable them to finish all VCMs in one day.

This was again strongly opposed by Mabulac saying her suggestion is highly irregular.

The issue was settled, COMELEC Commissioner Christian Robert Lim called to them proceed with the stripping until 12 midnight to “maximize the time.”

Amorado said the presence of corrupted SD cards when they are supposedly not have been deployed or used is proof that the COMELEC should not have decided to release the VCMs in the first place.

“Prudence would have dictated COMELEC to wait for the PET resolution on our motion but they did the exact opposite and even conducted the stripping activity in haste with so many violations and irregularities. We really find it highly irregular if not criminal,” Amorado stated.

O LORD, I have heard your speech and was afraid; O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy. Habakkuk 3:2

Only God can restore life to something that has died. If you find that your heart has grown cold to God, that the spiritual life of your family or church has waned, call out to God to revive you, for only He can give life. It is not your activity but your relationship with God that brings life!

Spiritual fervor can ebb if left unattended. We all begin our walk with the Lord enthusiastically, with an excited sense of anticipation. But over time, busyness creeps in. We become distracted and let our sin go unchallenged. We may take our relationship with God for granted and not notice the gradual decline until we find ourselves drained of spiritual vitality.

This descent can happen in your church just as it does in your personal life. Do you remember a time when the Holy Spirit was moving mightily in your church, and the members sensed God leading in an exciting direction? Are the services now lifeless and the power of God only a memory?

At a time like this it is futile to try to bring back life yourself. You can organize many activities and exhort those around you, but only God can resurrect what is dead. If God has initiated something in your life, or family, or church, only He can sustain it or revive it. If you sense that the spiritual vigor has gone out of your life or the life of your church, this is God’s invitation to pray. He wants you to intercede with Him so that He might revive His work. Jesus said that He is Life. It is unnecessary to remain spiritually lifeless when He has promised vibrant, abundant life if you will claim it. - Henry and Richard Blackaby

BBM CAMP STANDS ITS GROUND VS COMELEC ON RELEASE OF VCMs TO SMARTMATIC

Resolves not to have further participation in the release of VCMs unless the same is with PET approval.

The camp of former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. is standing its ground against the decision of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to release Vote Counting Machines (VCMs) to Smartmatic maintaining that the same must be with the approval of the Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET).

In a letter sent to COMELEC Executive Director Jose Tolentino, Jose Amor Amorado, counsel of Marcos, reiterated their stand that any decision of the COMELEC in the disposition of election materials used in the May elections should have the approval of the PET as it has sole and exclusive jurisdiction over the election protest of the former Senator.

The COMELEC had earlier decided to grant the request of Smartmatic to recall 1,365 VCMs which it unilaterally declared to have neither been deployed and/or unused in the May elections.

Amorado told Tolentino that they have already filed their Urgent Manifestation and Motion to the PET seeking to stop the release of the VCMs for being violative of the Precautionary Protective Order issued by the Tribunal. They have also asked the PET to oversee the technical evaluation to determine whether or not the machines had been unused.

It for this reason, according to Amorado, that they have decided not to take part in the scheduled examination of the VCMs today, Wednesday, October 26, 2016.

“Hence, unless and until, the PET approves the release of the subject VCMs, protestant Marcos will not be sending any representative or any supervisor/lawyer to the 26 October 2016 meeting at Sta. Rosa City to witness your proposed release of the 1,356 VCMs to Smartmatic-TIM,” Amorado said.

The parties in the vice presidential and senatorial electoral protests were scheduled to examine the VCMs today at the COMELEC Warehouse in Sta. Rosa, Laguna to determine if they were indeed not used in the last elections as a prelude to their release.

Amorado also protested how today’s examination has turned out to be not an inspection of the VCMs but a “stripping activity” as declared by Tolentino in his letter addressed to the parties. He said they never agreed to any stripping activity.

“Please be informed that during the 19 October 2016 briefing at the COMELEC’s Training Room in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, protestant Marcos’ representatives did not agree to any ‘stripping’ activity. To clarify, what was discussed in the said briefing was only the plan of COMELEC to release the 1,356 units of contingency machines to Smartmatic-TIM,” he stressed.

Amorado was referring to the 21 October 2016 letter of Tolentino addressed to Marcos’ lawyers asking them to furnish the names of those who will attend today’s “stripping activity” at the Sta. Rosa warehouse.

This is not the first time the COMELEC has initiated a stripping activity.

Last August, Marcos’ lawyers asked the COMELEC to explain why it approved the stripping of data contained in the SD cards and CCS laptop units used during the last elections.  The poll body issued the assailed Order on July 12, 2016 â€" on the very same day that the PET resolved to issue a protection order to preserve the integrity of all election paraphernalia used in the May elections.

According to the COMELEC, the stripping activity was needed because the SD cards and VCMs were going to be used for the November 2016 barangay elections.  However, the barangay elections have been postponed to next year.

Despite this, the COMELEC intends to return the VCMs to Smartmatic â€" a move which, according to Marcos’ counsels, clearly contravenes both the spirit and the letter of the PPO issued by the PET.

Marcos, in his 11-page Urgent Manifestation and Motion filed last Friday, October 21, 2016, asked the PET to stop the COMELEC from releasing the supposedly “unused” VCMs to Smartmatic on the ground that doing so would be violative of the PPO it earlier issued to preserve all election materials and equipment used in the May elections.

He questioned the poll body’s act to unilaterally declare the VCMs as “unused” saying the determination of whether they were used or not lies solely with the PET which has jurisdiction over all issues relating to the election protest of the former Senator.

“Protestant respectfully submits however that COMELEC cannot release the subject VCMs as the determination of whether they were used in the 9 May 2016 elections and are thus, covered by the PPO, is solely within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Tribunal. As can be inferred from its letter dated 27 September 2016, the COMELEC made a unilateral determination that the subject VCMs are not within the scope of the PPO,” he said.

Cayetano to Goldberg: what’s your business in monitoring, criticizing PH officials’ affairs
Says nothing suspicious about China trip

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano shot back at outgoing US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg over the latter’s recent remark that he and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade made an "unpublicized" trip to China prior to President Rodrigo Duterte's state visit to Beijing.

Cayetano on Friday (October 28) was invited as a resource person in a press briefing at Malacañang, wherein he was asked about his reaction to Goldberg’s claims. In response, the senator confirmed his trip to China earlier this year, but clarified that it was at his own discretion and not that of the President.

Cayetano emphasized that there was nothing suspicious about the trip being “unpublicized” because unlike the president, public officials are not obligated to issue departure and arrival statements every time they leave the country.

“First of all, Sec. Tugade and myself, we’re not the President. We don’t have departure or arrival statements so what does he mean by unpublicized trips? The reality is that it is only the president’s trips that are publicized,” Cayetano said.

“I’m a senator. I don’t need the President to tell me to do something. If he tells me to do something, I will follow. But as a senator, I can meet my counterparts, I can travel. There is such a thing as inter-parliamentary relations,” he explained.

Cayetano further questioned what the US Ambassador’s business was in monitoring his and Sec. Tugade’s affairs. He also called out Goldberg for engaging in “rumor-mongering” and for giving false information when he made an unverified remark about Tugade’s visit to China.

“Sec. Tugade had a lot of invitations. Any DOTr Secretary is invited by China and Japan, automatically. But Secretary Tugade… I heard him a lot of times saying, ‘I will not go abroad until I form my team. And my priority is forming the DOTr team’,” Cayetano said.

“That’s why hindi siya sumama sa mga trips until matapos ang kanyang team. And may sarili siyang plano because Secretary Tugade doesn’t want to be supply-driven… Gusto niya munang pag-aralan muna kung ano bang kailangan natin,” he added. 

The senator also echoed the remarks of foreign relations personalities whom he talked to and claimed that Goldberg’s action was considered as a breach of protocol, as it was something that “a professional diplomat would not do unless you want to do something with that country.”

“It was a surprise to us because they [the US] were angry a few years ago and they put some people in jail and they took US visas from a lot of Filipinos because we were spying on them. So is this an admission now that they are spying on us?" Cayetano asked.

"Was there anything wrong, malicious of me going anywhere… to China?… I did not publicize but I also met with him. Did he talk about my talk with him? Is there anything fishy, suspicious? Wala. But the way he threw it in the interview was like his parting shot."

US messenger a big part of the problem

“One of the problems is the US and Ambassador Goldberg refuse to admit that he is part of the problem,” Cayetano said as he described how the Philippines’ relationship with its long-time ally is significantly being affected by the United States’ interference in the country’s policies and political affairs.

The senator revealed that during the national elections last May, Goldberg took the time to personally meet the candidates and reported updates to the US government afterwards. But Goldberg was not able to meet with Duterte because the Ambassador apparently kept on changing the schedule.

The senator also pointed out how Goldberg interfered with the country’s national polls by making a comment about a highly politically charged issue, which could have affected the discretion of the 3.5 million Filipino-American voters in the US.

"[Ambassador Goldberg] continued to treat Malacañang as if he can tell the Philippine President what to do... The messenger was part of the problem… He’s interfering with our local politics, with how things are being run here,” he stressed.

Cayetano said he plans to issue a full report regarding the issue at the right time and that he would write a letter to Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay to complain and protest Goldberg’s actions.

I Will Rejoice!

Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail,And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls--Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:17-18

At times it seems that everything around you is collapsing. Endeavors you invested in may fail. People to whom you minister may disappoint you. The business or career you worked hard to build may crumble. These times, as difficult as they are, are opportunities to stop and examine what is truly important to you. Habakkuk witnessed the collapse of most of what mattered to him. Yet through the loss, failure, and disappointment, he was able to distinguish between what was precious to him and what was transitory and empty. He came to the point where he could sincerely say that even if everything around him failed, he still would rejoice in God. If the fig tree bore no fruit; if the vine produced no grapes; if the flocks and herds stopped reproducing; he would still praise God. His praise might not come easily, as he watched everything fall short of his expectations, but he would praise God nonetheless. Habakkuk could not make fig trees produce figs. He could not control the productivity of the flocks and herds, but he could control his own response to God. He chose to praise the Lord. Do things seem to be falling apart around you? You can still praise God. Your praise for Him does not depend on the success of your endeavors but on God’s nature and His love and faithfulness to you. Ask God to help you look past worldly concerns to understand the reasons you have to praise Him.     Henry and Richard Blackaby

The very first time I saw a 3D printer was on a trip to the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore when I was 8 years old. It was printing a phone case from scratch. I was so impressed that my parents enrolled me in a summer camp at a local makerspace where I could learn more about it.

I loved 3D printing and I could not wait to get a printer of my own. So I wrote to several companies that make them asking if they’d donate one for me to use at home. In return, I’d provide customer feedback. One company made my wish come true and sent me a printer.

That brought me to the annual White House Science Fair. That’s where I met President Obama. I told him he should have a kid science advisor, because we kids should have input into what we learn about in science class. And he thought that was a pretty good idea!

My wish has once again come true! The President announced he would have kid science advisors, and thousands of kids across the country -- including my little sister and me -- submitted ideas on what we think is important to explore today in science, tech, and innovation.

On Friday, I was happy to be back at the White House as one of the President’s kid science advisors, sharing my ideas with other official advisors to the President and students interested in STEM like myself -- it was so inspiring! Check out some photos of our day.

President Obama and Kid Science Advisors

Because we are the future innovators in America, we know that we can change the world for the better. It’s really incredible to know that President Obama not only took my suggestion seriously, but that he is considering all of our suggestions, even though we are kids. It shows he believes that, no matter how old we are, we can solve the tough problems we’ll face in the future.

Thanks,

Jacob L.
Kid Science Advisor

Are You Coming to the Celebration?

So he answered and said to his father, "Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends." Luke 15:29

God is concerned with bringing people from death to life. His heart rejoices over each person who returns to Him from a time of rebellion. If your heart is like God’s, you, too, will rejoice when a sinner returns to the Father. Jesus’ parable about the prodigal son is as much about the older son who remained as it is about the wayward son or the father. Year after year the older son labored for his father, waiting for a future reward. He had seen the brokenness his brother’s rebellion had caused his father. Yet when his brother returned, the older son did not rejoice with his father. He felt no pleasure in seeing his father happy. His concern was for himself and the injustice he perceived he’d been dealt. He felt like a martyr and totally missed the blessing of celebrating with his father. It is possible to serve God year after year and yet have a heart that is far from Him. You might be one of the hardest workers in your church and yet be filled with bitterness because others do not share your load. You can become so preoccupied with your spiritual labors that when God works miracles in the lives of those around you, you cannot rejoice. If you serve the Lord out of duty or habit, but not out of joy and gratitude, you will feel like a martyr. You will envy those who are experiencing joy in the Lord while you feel weighed down by the work you are doing. This is not the abundant life your Father has planned for you. Come to the celebration, spend time with the Father, and share in His joy! - Henry and Richard Blackaby.

History

Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness, You who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were hewn, And to the hole of the pit from which you were dug. Isaiah 51:1

As Christians, we ought never to overlook our heritage. An awareness of our Christian heritage helps us to understand our identity, and it gives us a sense of where God is leading us.

The Israelites had a rich heritage. Their nation began as a result of Abraham and Sarah’s faithfulness. The generations that followed included Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph as their faithful leaders. God richly blessed His people and made them prosper. God continued to show favor on the Israelites by leading them out of Egypt into a prosperous land of their own. God established His nation through some of the most awesome miracles in history. God continued to provide strong leaders, such as Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Deborah, Samuel, David, and Solomon. He sent mighty prophets such as Elijah, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. Unfortunately, in Isaiah’s day, God’s people had reached a point where they had forgotten their heritage. They lived as spiritual paupers rather than as heirs to a rich heritage and members of a royal priesthood.

Your spiritual heritage is even richer than that of Isaiah’s generation. Your spiritual ancestors include Mary the mother of Jesus, John the Baptist, the disciples, the apostle Paul, and a host of saints down through the ages. Even more important, you look to Jesus as the author and finisher of your faith (Heb. 12:2). You may have a family history of faithfulness that goes back several generations.

Do you see the full picture of God’s redemptive work? God’s plan involves you, just as it has included each Christian throughout the centuries. God wants you to participate in His continuing work to redeem a lost world. Your obedience today will provide a legacy of faithfulness to the generations that follow.        Henry and Richard Blackaby.

God Speaks through His Activity

Look among the nations and watch--Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days Which you would not believe, though it were told you. Habakkuk 1:5

Christians habitually seek God’s voice through prayer, through His word, or through His messengers. Yet sometimes we fail to hear God speak through His activity, even though He is working all around us. Unbelievers see God’s activity without understanding what they see. God encourages His people to watch for His activity so they will know how they should respond and adjust their lives.

The disciples discovered much about God’s power by witnessing Jesus calming a raging storm with a command. Seeing Jesus dine with the notorious sinner, Zacchaeus, taught them a poignant message about God’s love for sinners. Watching Jesus hang upon the cross communicated a compelling message of what God was willing to do to free people from sin. Discovering the empty tomb revealed an astounding truth of God’s victory over death. To those with spiritual discernment, God’s activity is a significant revelation about His heart and His will.

If you are sensitive to what God is doing around you, He will clearly speak to you through His activity. You will know that God is at work, because what you see will astound you, and human power and wisdom will not explain it. If things happen that are direct answers to your prayers, God is speaking to you. When you experience events that surpass your understanding and ability, it may be that God is communicating a critical message to you.

If you want to hear God’s voice, look around you to see what He is doing. When you are watching for God at work, what you see will reveal His character, and you will have a fresh understanding of how to respond to Him.Henry and Richard Blackaby

ROBERTO LACEA SALINAS
A TRUE CAPTAIN OF HIS SHIP
By Loy Palapos - Published on Oct 29, 2006 - Bohol Standard



A man who did not rest on his laurels after serving 29 years as dedicated, honest, dependable and respectable Officer of the Philippine Navy, Capt. Roberto L. Salinas, PN (Ret) is now sailing his own ship, being the indefatigable Mayor of the town of Catigbian, in the province of Bohol.

A once politically divided and sleeping town some 35 kilometers away from Tagbilaran City, Catigbian is a fast-developing municipality, now at par with the best, in an unprecedented turn of events that can only happen with the formidable leadership style of a man whose commitment for service is unquestionable. Mayor Salinas, even as a neophyte in the political arena, proved himself capable of doing his tasks in bringing unity among local government officials as well as in showcasing the town’s progress and development in just a couple of years after his election in 2004.

He is a pure Catigbianon born on May 29, 1959 to his parents: the late Juan Paraguya Salinas, a former school Principal, and Maxima Lacea Salinas, a former School Division Supervisor in Bohol. He has four brothers and two sisters who are also professionals in the fields of education, medicine and engineering. His parents, believing in his intellectual capacity, wanted him to be a doctor.

He took up his pre-medical course at Southwestern University in the nearby province of Cebu from 1968 to 1972. He finished his Masters in Business Administration at the Philippine Christian University in Manila in 1985-1986. He was convinced that it is not in the field of medicine where he can serve the people best. He has another calling: to serve the country as a Naval Officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Indeed, he proved he was right.

Prior to his retirement, he already gained the heart of his constituents because of his socio-economic standing and support to the development of Catigbian. He is a consistent donor for the church, chapels, schools, hospitals and even sponsor in various town activities like fiestas, sports and variety shows, among others. His wife Ma. Nerissa Yap Salinas, and their three children, Mrs. Noreen S. Privandos, a graduate of Masters in Business Administration, Nitzie Belle, a Certified Public Accountant, and Robert Ray, still a student, equally support his undertakings even to the extent of installing power lighting of almost 30 households in the remote barangays. The family was also able to send three students to school until they finished their college education.

Created by virtue of Executive Order No. 229, dated June 17, 1949, issued by then President Elpidio Quirino, Catigbian got its name from a seed-bearing plant called Katigbi that flourished in all parts of the locality. The seeds can be made into rosary beads, garland and other decorative paraphernalia.

After years in the doldrums, the town now sails smoothly. Mayor Salinas has a motto, “All for one; one for all” and his leadership is guided by the theme “Unity and Cooperation: The Key to Progress and Development.” His Liberal Arts exposure and MBA capabilities came in handy as an administrative expert. His military training instilled in him the value of discipline and fortitude. Consequently, he gained everybody’s trust and all municipal officials, regardless of political affiliations, support his administration by attending all major events, or even short programs. It was at the start of his administration when the first “KATIGBAWAN” festival was conceptualized and celebrated. It is a feast for human and spiritual satisfaction done every third week of June, in time for the Foundation Day of Catigbian. The second Katigbawan celebration last June 18, 2006 was so successful, with the full participation of all officials, department heads and the town folks.

Mayor Salinas and his council work hand-in-hand to welcome foreign interventions in order to carry out their mission to pursue sustainable development and improve the living conditions of their constituents through well-defined executive and legislative agenda. They too recognize the importance of partnerships and linkages with other government and private agencies. One of the foreign contributions to the physical improvement of the place is from the Government of Belgium under the Belgium Integrated Agrarian Reform Support Program or BIARSP, through the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

In the town proper, one can see a Savings and Credit Center or Members Savings Operation (MSO), a quasi-banking system. It is the Mantacida United Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative (MUFAMPUCO). From an initial capital build-up deposit of P33, 850.00 upon launching of the project in year 2002, it has now a total capitalization of P5.5 million. The banking system, assisted by BIARSP, has now a total of 953 members. They cater loan services such as business, honorarium, agricultural, salary, instant and emergency loan.

With the MSO scheme, farmers have now a capital to start economic activity other than farming. Housewives are doing entrepreneurial activities, like vending dried fish, spices, gasoline, and dry goods during market days. Some are occupied with hog raising and fattening and tending sari-sari stores. Needless to say, with the continuous support and guidance from the LGU and DAR municipal staff, MUFAMPUCO, with its dedicated officers and members, was adjudged as the Best Performing People’s Organization, in the entire Region VII for this year.

On the other hand, BIARSP also finances the water sanitation (WATSAN) system benefiting 60 agrarian reform beneficiaries. The operation is being managed by the farmers themselves. Marichel M. Rulida, the manager and one of the beneficiaries of WATSAN project, said that the ready and available water supply that flows from the reservoir and then distributed to the different pump stands, give ease to the household beneficiaries, that used to fetch water from distant sources. Secondly, residents are now more secure because of the scheduled water treatment that can assure safe and clean potable drinking water.

Other major developments funded by BIARSP are the rehabilitation of .920-kilometer farm-to-farm market road in Sitio Tuog, Causwagan, worth P952, 000.00, still within the Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) in Mantacida. Punong barangay Danilo Ambaic said that the road repair greatly help the farmers to have an easy transport of their farm products to the market. The said road repair benefits 150 ARBs and 25 non-ARB households, including the adjacent residents in ARC Buenos Aires of the nearby town of Tubigon.

In all BIARSP and other trainings conducted, Mayor Salinas is always at hand to welcome the participants. He always extends support in terms of snacks, vehicles and equipment and in whatever capacity he can muster in order to make every undertaking of DAR and other agencies successful.

During the recent visit of the Belgian Ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Gregoire Vardakes, held at the Municipal Hall of Catigbian, the Mayor warmly welcomed the valued guest and his party and confidently said that “I am very thankful to the Belgian government for its generosity in giving financial assistance to the Filipinos and I am glad that the Catigbianons in particular are one of the beneficiaries. It is my pleasure, as the Chief Executive, to support with all my heart all undertakings of DAR in my town for the development of the countryside.” It does not come as a surprise that Mayor Salinas always reiterates his appreciation and gratitude to the Belgian government and the DAR family during interviews.

The captain of the ship now is the captain of the Catigbianons. He welcomes every major development that comes along his way, with a wish that all his constituents will be able to sail on smoothly like a ship in an ocean, with all of its systems in operational condition onward and towards happy and comfortable lives.

A Triumph of Justice
Editorial of the Bohol Standard - Oct 29, 2006

The decision of the Supreme Court throwing out the petition of the Sigaw ng Bayan and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) is definitely a triumph of justice.

So much is being made out of the close 8-7 count and many in fact note that this can be interpreted to mean that the decision was not decisive. The close count has its own story to tell but what matters is that the verdict has been reached.

Until this time, the petitioners have shown no sign of giving up. Judging by their reactions, lawyer Raul Lambino of Sigaw and Gov. Erico Aumentado who heads ULAP are looking beyond the motion for reconsideration that they are entitled to file.

As Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago pointed out however, the people’s initiative is a closed casket. It is dead. Which means reviving the petition is liking bringing it up from the grave.

This is not to say that the justices who voted to dismiss the petition are right. All the justices, whether voting affirmatively or negatively, have their own reasons for doing so. It would be unfair to pass judgment on either side simply because we disagree with their positions.

Looking at the issue from a cold and impartial viewpoint, there is no denying the need to change the constitution. No human document is perfect and that the 1987 Constitution is no exception.

To admit this however is not to say that the petition is correct. From the beginning, it is flawed in the sense that the signatures were initiated not be people who are solely motivated by the desire for change but by politicians who are at the very least eyeing continued hold on to power.

The arguments raised by petitioners as to the legitimacy of the signatures wilt in the face of the active and direct involvement of government officials using government resources during government time. Only a brazen lie will dispute this fact given the widespread and massive effort of the administration during the signature campaign.

If the charter will have to be changed, it should be done in a lawful, proper and democratic manner. It should not be in the shameless exercise that the country witnessed during the signature campaign.

More importantly, the charter change must come in its season. It should not be forced upon our people simply because time is running out for the politicians.

The verdict made sure it won’t be. That is why it is a triumph of justice.

Local governments may now extend tax incentives
Oct. 29, 2006

BEING cited as the most business-friendly province in the Visayas has its privileges.

FOR business-friendly Bohol, investors opening up investments here need not go to the Board of Investments (BOI) to get their applications for business related incentives, the latest development in Bohol’s efforts to beckon investors to its countless opportunities.

The good news is, the BOI is pilot testing its devolution of functions to Bohol and selected Regional Operations Groups for three months before full-blown devolution in January of next year.

In lieu to this, the Bohol Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is in the thick of preparations along with six other provinces where the BOI pilots the devolved registration functions, local DTI sources said. In Bohol the implementation of the devolution of functions started in October and runs until December of 2006. Then, it operates on a full-scale devolved registration in 2007 onwards.

The Bohol good news came over the fact that the devolutions do not happen for the National Capital Region(NCR), Cebu, Metro Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Region IV-A.

There is a need to bring down to the provincial level the processing of Executive Order No. 226 applications for registration in order to make available to micro and small enterprises the incentives granted to BOI-registered enterprises, BOI authorities shared to the local DTI.

When the devolution will be fully implemented, the DTI Provincial Offices shall handle the registration and evaluation of projects for BOI application and also the supervision and monitoring of BOI-registered projects.

Among the incentives available to BOI-registered firms are income tax holidays, duty-free or duty-reduced importation of capital equipment and unrestricted use of consigned equipment. (rachiu/PIA)

Karapatan lawyer reveals AFP neutralization drive
Oct. 26, 2006 - Bohol Standard

What is the motive and who are responsible of the spate of militant leaders’ killings?


THESE questions surfaced as the “extra-judicial or political killings” in the country worsen in a very alarming trend.

In military jargon, to neutralize the “enemies of the state” includes physical, (killing), intimidation, harassment and threats, said Karapatan lawyer Poch Cinco during a forum on extra-judicial killings held last week at AV Hall, Holy Name University.

This was found out from documents of the Department of National Defense (DND). Karapatan, a human rights group, revealed the military’s plan “to neutralize” militant legal organizations whom they branded as communist fronts, including party-lists personalities.

Cinco said DND, which has readily prepared “an order of battle,” a list of perceived enemies of the government, has shifted its program “to neutralize” the above-ground but legal revolutionary movement, also known as “fronts” of the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front-New People’s Army (CPP-NDF-NPA).

Cinco said that based on DND’s document, the military hatched “Oplan Bantay Laya” whose objective is to “destroy the political structure” of the insurgency movement. It made no distinction whether the said leftist movements are using armed struggle to topple the government or those legal organizations participating in the democratic struggle as in the street parliamentary and in electoral fight.

Part of the neutralization scheme is the so-called “research target” concept. If a legal but left-inclined organization start to tackle issues beyond its concern, it becomes a target for neutralization, said Cinco. A concrete example of this is the plight of the Philippine Independent Church (PIC), whose bishop was killed recently.

If one actively participates in the activities critical to the government, he or she or the organization concerned is candidate for neutralization. It’s “stupid,” he said.

Cinco also disclosed that sometime in February 2004, AFP’s intelligence agency (ISAFP) issued a memorandum requiring all departments to submit every Thursday a progress report of their respective “neutralization” report. It is also the year (2004) that extra-judicial killings escalated. Most of these killings numbering more than 700 were perpetrated against the leftists and party-list members.

In a separate interview, Akbayan party-list Congresswoman Rizza Hontiveros-Baraquel said, “At the very least, gross negligence and ginagawa ng administration,” saying that these (killings) is allegedly perpetrated by the state.

“It could be that the perpetrators are from the inside (of the military) and maybe outsiders in a “systematic pattern” targeting GMA’s critics,” she said.

She opined that because these perpetrators remained at large and had operated with impugnity, it had emboldened and encourage these groups to go on with the killing spree.(RVO)

BWUI alarmed over stolen water meters
Oct. 29, 2006 - Bohol Standard

FOR THE past few weeks, Bohol Water Utilities, Inc. has received several complaints from their consumers on stolen water meters.

In the last 2 weeks alone, 7 units of water meters of consumers were stolen from different parts of Tagbilaran City particularly at CPG North, Mabuhay Village in Dao and in Poblacion 3. Since August, 2006 18 units of water meter were stolen and about 42 units since January, 2005 which replacement cost worth about P60,000. This kind of criminal act is reaching its alarming level and is persistently continuing. The management clarified that it will not tolerate this bad practice.

Arrested theft will be charged in court with violation to the National Water Crisis Act of 1995. While BWUI authorities are doing their best to address this problem, water consumers who are victims and victims-to-be are requested to report the incidence to BWUI, to their respective Barangay Chairperson and the Police Station for appropriate action. The public is also cautioned to be vigilant to help in curbing such act.

BWUI appealed to the owners of junkshops not to buy stolen water meters and sought the help of other waterworks system in the Province of Bohol not to accept second hand water meters of those applying for water service connections in their respective area.

ULAP, Sigaw officials to face 'plunder' case
Oct. 29, 2006 - Bohol Standard

For allegedly spending millions in pushing the failed people’s initiative, backers of the movement are to face plunder cases.

A legal team from the camp of ousted former president Joseph Estrada is to file tomorrow graft charges at the Office of the Ombudsman against Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) officials and private individuals like Sigaw ng Bayan leader Atty. Raul Lambino for allegedly spending public funds amounting to millions of pesos for the signature campaign that was to pave the way for the government-backed charter change.

“They have spent so much since February (when the information campaign and signature gathering drivefor people’s initiative started),” Atty. Rufus Rodriguez, legal counsel of Estrada said.

The former president will ask the special division of the Sandiganbayan trying his own plunder case to allow him to personally file the graft complaint before the Ombudsman office tomorrow.

Rodriguez said ULAP had spent P181,000 each for one page ad in newspapers while at least P261,865 was paid for a 30-second television or radio advertisements.

“Who spent for all these? Being public officials they knew from the start that people’s initiative is illegal, ass the Supreme Court ruled that there is no implementing law or it,” Rodriguez said.

Cooperatives and POs receive financial assistance
Oct. 29, 2006 - Bohol Standard

A TOTAL of P 872,000 worth of checks was distributed by the Provincial Government of Bohol under the leadership of Gov. Erico Aumentado through the Bohol Poverty Reduction Management Office (BPRMO) to 11 cooperatives and People’s Organization (PO) last October 26, 2006 in time of the opening program of the 1st Bohol Provincial Cooperative Congress at the Bohol Cultural Center.

The checks with amounts ranging from P 27,000 to P 100,000 were given to beneficiaries by Board Members Dionisio Balite, Felix Uy, Ma. Fe Lejos and Carisso Camacho with the BPRMO head Boy Pernia.

The beneficiaries were Cambagui Women’s Organization of Sevilla, San Vicente Farmer’s Association of Trinidad, Nueva Montaña People’s Organization of Buenavista, Borromeo Estate Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries and Hagbuaya Multi-Purpose Cooperative both from Catigbian, Untaga Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Alicia, San Jose Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Trinidad, Toril Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Basacdaku Muliti-Purpose Cooperative both from Albur, Cambane Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Candijay and PUMAS-Kauswagan of Trinidad.

This financial assistance which is set to support the livelihood programs of the respective cooperatives and POs is part of the poverty reduction initiatives which is the primary thrust of the provincial government.(Jhaz/PGMA)

Gov’t eases requisites for small enterprises
Oct. 29, 2006 - Bohol Standard

THE step also runs consistent with the drive that the country has engaged in to come out with strong while neighboring Asian economies bear the brunt of the global oil crisis.

Entrepreneurs have earlier complained that getting their Certificate of Authority to operate as a Barangay Micro-Business Enterprise from the local government units is restrictive, tedious and often discouraging.

From a perceived list of nine requirements before SMEs could get their Certificates of Authority, the government through the Department Of Finance (DOF) has cut down the list into two.

The certificate allows the holder enterprise the eligibility for government-packaged incentives

The DOF acted favorably on the request from SMED Councils in 2004, requesting them to simplify the requirements.

A DOF order now needs only two requirements: a registration as a business entity and a municipal permit.

Stipulated in DOF’s Department Order No. 31-05 is the order to simplify the documentation requirements for registration of BMBEs with P300T or less assets.

It may be recalled that in November of 2002, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed into law Republic Act 9178 which facilitated the establishment of Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs) and provided ways for incentives and benefits for them.

Many entrepreneurs initially saw the move as brilliant, but retracted when the requirements were stringent.

The Department of Trade and Industry issued the Act’s Implementing Rules and Regulations as DTI DAO No. 01, series of 2003.

The DOF consequently issued its own implementing rules and regulations in Department order No. 17-04, dealing with specific portions of the Law. Section 3 of the Order says BMBE registrants need at least nine documents.

Such include registration as business entity, Tax Identification Number, Bureau of Internal Revenue Certificate, municipal business permit, sworn affidavit that the barangay enterprise is barangay-based and micro-business in nature, sworn statement of assets and liabilities, pictures of the place of business, copy of loan contracts and Income Tax Returns.

The stringent requirements make it hard for most registrants to register or obtain a Certificate of Authority.

With the problem, the SME Development Council in September 2004 asked the Department of Finance (DOF) to ease the requirements for BMBE registrations.(rachiu/PIA)

LGUs deserve bigger share from excise tax
Oct. 29, 2006 - Bohol Standard

LOCAL government units (LGUs), who are miserably dependent on the national government controlled internal revenue allotment (IRA), can ask their fair share of excise tax and even the so-called occupation tax derived from sand and gravel and quarry operations.

This was stressed by the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau (MGB) during the capability building seminar last week as a response to clamor that LGUs are left with no choice and inequitable share in the extraction operations in the province. The Bohol Environment Management Office (BEMO) and MGB led by BEMO officer Angr. Rene Villaber and Engr. Raul de Dios, respectively, organized the activity participated in by law enforcers of the provincial government to provide them know-how in enforcing the environmental laws. It was held at Jjs Dimsum House along CPG avenue in this city.

The existing scenario is that LGUs can only have their fair share from the extraction tax derived from sand and gravel and small-scale mining operations in public lands but they receive none from those conducted in private lands.

Based on this, the barangay and municipality where the quarry operation is located have 40% and 30% share of extraction tax, respectively. The province gets the remaining30% share pursuant to section 138 of the Local Government Code (LGC) or RA 7160.

But still LGUs are dissatisfied with this. They still wanted to claim of their tax share from those in private lands.

Despite this predicament, MGB pointed out that LGUs may still assert to claim their share of excise tax from quarry operations based on sections 289, 290 of the LGC so that they may have additional incomes.

It was learned however that most of the LGUs are doubtful if they can do so or may not be aware that there is such excise tax share for them and some failed to ask for it.

Aside from this, LGUs may also insist for their occupation tax share also based on LGC and DENR Department Administrative Order No. 96-40. “Thirty percent (30%) of the occupation fees collected from permittees/contractors in onshore mining areas shall accrue to the province and 70% to the municipality where the onshore mining areas are located. In a chartered (independent) city, the full amount (100%) accrued to the city concerned.” (RVO)

Youth willing to dance Cha-cha but “not now”
Oct. 29, 2006 Bohol Standard

IN their 9-campus sorties gathering youth feedbacks on the government-pushed charter change (cha-cha), majority of the youth are willing to take to the dance floor, to do the Cha-cha, National Youth Commissioner Richard Alvin Nalupta said; “but not now.”

The same opinion was shared by about 5,000 youths in their Youth Voice sorties. This also collaborated with the results of the Pre-National Youth Parliament Konsultahan Kabataan.

However, while the youth are for amending the Constitution, they would rather delay the move, Nalupta reports in his state of the youth address during the opening of the 6th National Youth Parliament at the Bohol Tropics.

Nalupta also admitted that there are several youth leaders who are now pushing for charter change, especially with the bias for the federal form of government.

In the midst of realizing that they are a formidable force and voice in the country, National Youth Commission has embarked on a media plan by tying up with national television to educate the youth on vital issues especially on the charter reforms.

The Youth Voice Television debate, Nalupta said, has been a venue to inform the youth of the most pressing issues concerning charter change. Given in a quite interesting format, the one-hour debate program gives equal airtime for pro and anti charter change, he told the media gathered during the rites.

The NYP opened at the Bohol Tropics Resort Sunday with 226 participant delegates registering as of opening rites.

Organizers said more attended, especially that the venue, Bohol has jacked up so much attention. (rachiu/PIA)

Aspirants start preparing warship for coming May elections
Published on Oct 29 2006 - Bohol Standard

“Those aspiring for any position should prepare for the worst-case scenario, and that is to prepare for the May 2007 elections.”

The word came from Malacañang itself following the defeat of a petition for a shift to a parliamentary system of government. Candidates for the House and the Senate are now scrambling to start preparing for next year’s elections after the Supreme Court turned it down on Wednesday the people’s initiative that would have paved the change to parliamentary system of government.

A victory could have meant there would be no elections next year.

The Commission on Elections had set March 29, 2006 as day to file certificate of candidacy for local elective officials. Campaign period starts on March 30 and is allowed up to midnight of May 12, 2006. Election day will be on May 14, 2006. (SEE related story)

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the candidates should prepare for the elections despite a group’s plan to ask the Supreme Court to reconsider its ruling.

“Politics is a practical science,” he said.

But President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said that should there be another congressional election, the final senatorial slate would not be drawn until the eve of the deadline for filing the certificates of candidacy.

She said the administration had paid no attention to the coming elections because “we were focused on the economy.”

She recalled that during the May 2004 elections, the administration’s 12-man senatorial lineup was not finalized until December 2003.

“I made the final choice a day before the deadline for filing the certificate of candidacy,” she said.

“We did not want to be engaged in politicking the whole year round. We attend to politics during the election campaign but during the time of peace, we attend to the economy.”

Cha-cha is “dead”
“People’s initiative has already become a closed casket that does not even deserve a visit on All Saints’ Day.”

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, a staunch defender of the President, said it would be futile for the administration’s allies to seek a reconsideration of the high court’s 8-7 vote junking the initiative petition.

“My view is: the issue of a people’s initiative has already become a closed casket that does not even deserve a visit on All Saints’ Day,” Santiago said.

“It’s as dead as a doornail. Its worshippers can bring candles and funeral wreaths, but these will not resurrect [it],” said Santiago, who in 1997 opposed in the high court a petition filed by the People’s Initiative for Reform, Modernization and Action (PIRMA), which was supposedly aimed at extending the term of then President Fidel Ramos.

Santiago, a constitutional law expert, earlier aired her “fearless forecast” that the high court would not grant any motion for reconsideration.

She cited these grounds:

The general rule in trial practice is that a court does not reconsider its decision unless substantial new evidence is presented to render the crux of the decision erroneous and inadequate.

“In other words, the cards are always stacked against [the one who seeks a reconsideration. At the outset he already has a disadvantage,” she said.

The 8-7 vote showed that only one justice was needed to reverse the decision.

“However, because the voting was so close, the public will immediately condemn the somersaulting justice as a party to a quid pro quo with the administration. Whether that would be factual or not will not matter,” she said, adding that the justice who would change his/her side on this case would be committing “professional suicide.”

Santiago said this was the lesson learned by some justices who changed their vote in her 1997 case: “The public roundly booed [them] although in the end the original decision was upheld.”

The decision written by Associate Justice Antonio Carpio carried “extremely strong and condemnatory language.”

“Usually, opinions are factual and narrative instead of opinionated and condemnatory. Hence, the justices who concurred with it will not be able to explain why they concurred with such a violently judgmental decision and then changed their minds at the last minute,” Santiago said.

Not the end
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo urged proponents and supporters of the people’s initiative petition to accept its defeat in the Supreme Court but also stressed the need to “keep the fire” of Charter change “burning.”

Ms Arroyo dwelled on these points twice in separate venues as her allies in the House of Representatives and the initiative proponents pondered their next moves, including a motion for reconsideration and the so-called “Plan B” -- amending the Constitution through a constituent assembly to pave the way for a shift to a unicameral-parliamentary system.

Despite the tribunal’s condemnation of the people’s initiative, Ms Arroyo said its proponents were patriots: “I extol those who fought for the people’s initiative for their patriotism, perseverance and courage.”

“The great idea of Charter reform lives on, and we must keep the fire burning,” she said, and reiterated that a modern Philippines could only happen through a new Constitution and a new system of government.

“We have a vision of having the Philippines join the ranks of First World nations by 2020, and a modern, more cohesive and more accountable political structure is key to achieving that goal,” she said.

But she added that she would leave it to “the concerned institutions as to how we can keep the dreams of the people ascendant and heed the imperatives of change.”

Over dzRH radio, when asked why she continued to push for Charter change, Ms Arroyo said there was a need to “fix the problem of our politics because this is weakening the economy.”

Nevertheless, Sigaw ng Bayan leader Raul Lambino decried the high court’s labeling of the initiative as “a likely deception and gigantic fraud,” saying the latter had no right to make that judgment because it was “not a trier of facts” and “should only decide on issues of laws and jurisdiction.”

Lambino said this would be the main argument that Sigaw and its fellow Charter change proponent, the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), would raise in the motion for reconsideration that they would soon lodge.

Close but firm decision
Former Senate President Jovito Salonga also doubts that the high court will reverse itself in the event that a motion for reconsideration is filed.

“It’s a close but firm decision. I don’t think there will be any substantial change in the way the justices voted,” he told the Inquirer, adding:

“They’ve studied the matter thoroughly. They discussed the issues every day. So when they voted, they already knew how to vote.”

Salonga is a former professor of law with a master’s degree from Harvard University and a doctorate from Yale University.

“This is a good day for the country,” he said when the high court threw out the initiative petition on Wednesday.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) also praised the tribunal for its decision.

“Congratulations to the Supreme Court for standing free and independent despite external and expensive pressures,” the CBCP president, Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, said in a statement.

The CBCP also warned against plans to convene a constituent assembly: “Please pardon the term, but Charter change by Congress converted into a constituent assembly will have all the appearance of ‘self-service’ and ‘lutong makao.’ We will pray against that.”

If indeed Charter change is needed, along with a shift to the unilateral-parliamentary system, the CBCP reiterated its recommendation for a constitutional convention “whose members shall be elected democratically.” (INQ7)

PRESIDENT RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE ADDRESSES PNP OFFICERS, STAFFS

POLICE REGIONAL OFFICE 9, CAMP COL. ABENDAN, ZAMBOANGA CITY
Oct 10, 2016

Police Deputy Director Gen. Francisco Uyami, Police Chief Supt. Billy Beltran, Lt. Gen. Mayoralgo dela Cruz, Maj. Gen. Gerardo Barrientos, [inaudible] men of the Regional Office 9, my beloved countrymen. Could somebody give a tikas pahinga or--?
Police Deputy Director Gen. Francisco Uyami, Police Chief Supt. Billy Beltran, Lt. Gen. Mayoralgo dela Cruz, Maj. Gen. Gerardo Barrientos, [inaudible] men of the Regional Office 9, my beloved countrymen. Could somebody give a tikas pahinga or--?
[police officer commands police]
Ma’am init , pwede ka muduol diri-a ganahan ko magtan-aw nimo. Hi-hindi [points at something in hisupper-right] ma-ma-ano ma-ano sa, it’s---it’s a very unsettling thing yung--yung kuan ba, sun. Kita pa ko ninyo close-up on personal.
Ma’am it’s hot, you can go nearer, I like looking at you. It cannot---it’s a very unsettling thing, the sun. So, I can also see up close in person.
Uhh can I…The unit awardees uhh, Molave Municipal Police Station, Zamboanga City  Police Station, Kabasalan Municipal Police Station, Ayala Police Station. Uhh can you come back here? I---tinuod mo, mao ni inyong kuan? W--wala’y kuan ni, wala’y tikas? Di ko katuo ba. Ahh bitaw, ahh I’m giving you a minimum 250,000 each. Unit man mo.
The unit awardees uhh, Molave Municipal Police Station, Zamboanga City  Police Station, Kabasalan Municipal Police Station, Ayala Police Station. Can you come back here? Is this true, is this really yours? Does this not have any tricks? I cannot believe this. Really, I’m giving you a minimum 250,000 each since you are a unit.
[Applause]
Kuhaa sa PMS, Presidential Management Staff. Where are you? Where’s the money? Mga pulis ni, pusilon ‘ta diri. [Laughter]
Get it from sa PMS, Presidential Management Staff. Where are you? Where’s the money? These are policemen; they can shoot us here. [Laughter]
Kasi, dito ako. I said that uhh, kasi it’s not good to hear about policemen dying. [inaudible] lang ako but the check is processed now. Tumawag kami sa--- may tag-250 kayo. [Applause] Ang katunga imo, ang katunga bahin-bahinon sa imung girlfriends ug ang pulis imong--- [Laughter]
As I said, it’s not good good to hear about policemen dying. I’m just [Inaudible] but the check is processed now. We called and each one of you will have 250(thousand). Half of it will be yours, the other half will be shared among your girlfriends and the pulis’ll--- [Laughter]
Sige, thank you. Ahh, you’ll receive it tomorrow. Wala ning Zamboanga, wa’y labot ning because I said naa diay patay nga pulis. Ka-init sa ulo. Ka-bwisit, really. Init akong ulo. Bakit mamatay ‘yung pulis? Anyway ganito ‘yan. I’m really appalled by so many groups and individuals,including priest and bishops, complaining about the number of persons killed itong dito sa operation against the drug problem. You know, in average I lose 2 policemen a day all over the country; and I take time to go there not only to condole with the family but also to show my solidarity with you; because the expectations ng tao sa atin is really we can stop this problem on time.
Okay, thank you. You’ll receive it tomorrow, aside from Zamboanga, they are not included since a police died. It makes me hot-headed. It’s a pain in the neck, really. My head is really hot. Why should the police die? Anyway, it’s like this. I’m really appalled by so many groups and individuals,including priest and bishops, complaining about the number of persons killed in  this operation against drugs. You know in average I lose 2 policemen a day all over the country, and I take time to go there not only to condole with the family but also to show my solidarity with you; because the people’s expectations of us is that we can really stop this problem on time.
Ladies and gentlemen, may I tell you know: this is an ongoing and recurring problem which will never be stopped by anyâ€"Di talaga ito, we can only slow it down but by the next generation, kung yung sino yung presidente ulit tapos ang kung tignan mo lang diyan sa harap mo kung sino, apat man kaming tumakbo, isipin lang ninyo kung hindi ako ang naging presidente kung anong nangyari. It was not until after I became president. I was the favorite ‘weeping boy’ of the uhhm, itong human rights sa Davao. But, I never really bothered to think about them. I just-- hardliner kasi ako so I just did what I had to do. But little did I know of the magnitude of the contamination.
Ladies and gentlemen, may I tell you know: this is an ongoing and recurring problem which will never be stopped by anyone. This can’t really be [stopped], we can only slow it down but by the next generation, whoever the next president will be and if you just saw in front of you, there were 4 of us who ran for the presidency, just think of what would happen if it wasn’t me who became the president. It was not until after I became president. I was the favorite ‘weeping boy’ of the uhhm, of these human rights [advocates] in Davao. But, I never really bothered to think about them. Since I am a hardliner, I just did what I had to do. But little did I know of the magnitude of the contamination.
Pati kayo, pati kayo alam ko natulala kayo. Everyday sa TV nakita mo na it was evolving like hell. Makita mo lahat ng mga tattoo na payat sa barangay naglabasan. Bata, matanda, babae, lalaki, di lang nila alam talaga. Di nila madala ng itong culture of violence, putang--. ‘Pag huminto ako dito, walang magâ€"The next generation would be lost. Wala na, compromised sila. Yung mga anak ninyo, pati yung apo mo. And to think that we are breaching the 4 million mark.
Even you, even you, I knew that you were shocked. Everyday, you see in the television that it was evolving like hell. You can see those skinny [people] with tattoos emerging from your barangays. The youth, the old ones, women,and men alike, they do not really know. They don’t really get this culture of violence, motherf---. If I stop here, the next generation  would be lost. They will be compromised. Your children, even your grandchildren, and to we are breaching the 4 million mark.
During the Laos Summit, I was talking to Pres. Widodo and I asked him pila mag---pila kabuok ang iya. He said there were about 4 million. So I was thinking of my country. Sinabi ko 3, di ko sinali yung sa akin na yung bago. It was Gen. Santiago, yung sa PDEA pa siya who gave us the figure of 3 million. Itong akin, everday magbibilang ka, maraming lumalabas, at the end of the year mag-abot ito ng 1 million. So, 4 million na rin ako. And, Indonesia is a very huge country. It has 3 separate big island sconstituting the republic, and the population is something like 240 million. So ako, kaliit-litt nitong Pilipinas, with 104 million, pareha ako ng Indonesia. Mas marami sila, mas malaki, pareho kaming may tama. Pareho ang numero namin.
During the Laos Summit, I was talking to Pres. Widodo and I asked him how many he got [referring to the number of addicts]. He said there were about 4 million, so I was thinking of my country. I said 3 [million] and I did not include there those I had recently. When he was still in PDEA, it was Gen. Santiago who gave us the figure of 3 million. This I have now, if you count everyday, there are a lot who come out and at the end of the year they can reach to 1 million. So, I will have 4 million, too. And, [to think that] Indonesia is a very huge country. It has 3 separate big islands constituting the republic, and the population is something like 240 million.I was thinking, the Philippines which is smaller with [a population of] 104 million, has the same count [of addicts] as Indonesia. There are more of them than us and even bigger but we both have the same hit. We have the same number [of addicts].
Ngayon, mahinto natin ito, unya lumalaban eh. Alam niyan ng pulis, alam ninyo ‘yan, na everytime you operate. Kasi, away magkinig ‘tong mga putanginang ‘to na itong mga, may armas eh otherwise, eh di wala akong problema. Di na ako magpunta-punta kung ano pang probinsya. And because talagang hindi kaya ito na harap-harapan na sabihing mo ibaba mo ‘yan. Because, about 6-1 yr of constant use of shabu shrinks the brain of the person kaya bantay kayo. Talagaang loko-loko yan tsaka may armas yan. Kayo, nakatikim naman kayo makaharap, ano ang sabihin? May humahabol sa kanya, may gusto siyang patayin. It’s paranoia. That’s why invariably they are armed and, they will kill.
We can actually stop this but [there are those who] fight back. The police know that, you know that everytime you go on an operation. These motherfuckers wouldn’t listen and they even take with them firearms, otherwise, I won’t have problems [about policemen getting killed]. I wouldn’t need to go from province to province. This cannot be handled just by saying in front of the faces of these criminals to drop their weapons. Be cautious [of these people] because after about 6 [months] to 1 year of use of shabu shrinks the brain of the person. They really are out of their minds and they have weapons with them, too. You, if you get to experience with one of them being in front of you, [do you know] what they’d say? [They would say] that someon is chasing them, that they want to kill somebody. It’s paranoia. That’s why invariably they are armed and, they will kill.
Kaya kung hindi pa, sabihin mo na--na akin ito abuso ko lang ito, what for, why should I care my countrymen? Kaya itong mga sila Capalla, bishop naming doonâ€"kung mag, pareho man kami may ka-brethren, sila obispo ako mayor noon. Mga pari, putangina, bwesit.
Pa moral-moral pa. Paano ko pih=gilan yan, magpigil ako ngayon ,apatay ang Pilipinas. [drinks water] Sabi ko sa kanila, “somebody has to go to prison.”  Ako magkulong. Wag kayong mag-alaala ako magpakulong myself. As commander-in-chief, ako ang magsabi , ako ang may kasalanan, ako ang nag-utos. Akin ‘yun, hindi kanya.
[Applause]
Kung hindi ko ganunin,. Kawawa ang pulis. Kaya sabi ko , nasa constitiution, powers of the president. Meron diyan number 7, kung abogado kayo, “the president shall have the power to grant pardon, conditional or absolute; or grant amnesty with the concurrence of Congress.” Hala sige anong gusto ninyo? Laban tayo sa court. Ehh nandiyan sa constitution. [clicks paper] Bukas, itong linya na ito pardon. Tomorrow may isang linya, pardon, pardon. Restored to full civil and political rights. Plus may promotion: 1 rank higher. Ohh ‘di mukugi gyud ug patay.
If I don’t do this, the police will be miserable. That’s why I reiterated, as in the constitution, the powers of the president. It is there in number 7, if you are lawyers, “the president shall have the power to grant pardon, conditional or absolute; or grant amnesty with the concurrence of Congress.” Go on, what do you want? Let’s fight in the courtroom. It’s there in the constitution [clicks paper]. Tomorrow, this line will be [for those who will be granted] a pardon. The next day after tomorrow, there will be another line for pardon, pardon. Restored to full civil and political rights and a promotion of 1 rank higher. Who would even hesitate to kill?
[Applause]
Ehh ang problema, kung yan nga mag-ano ‘pag kung ako ang matamaan. Magturiring ang ulo ko, maawa ako. To solve a problem na sinisira na ang Pilipinas, ako pa mawalaan ng pulis. Kaya nagdidingoy yung utok ko, putinginang mga animal na to bantay ka. Sisihin, sinira talaga ang Pilipinas. Bakit hindi ako magmura? Sinong presidente kagaya ng sa akin may problema? Eh si Widodo, nakita mo si Widodo magsalita. [rolls eyes]
The problem is if that will do that, if I will be the one to get hit. My head will go round, and I will get merciful. To solve a problem that destroys the Philippines, I get lose my men.That’s why my head goes ding-aling, f*** these beasts, watch out. They will really be blames, they really get the Philippines destroyed. Why won’t I curse? Is there any other president who has the same problem as me? Widodo. You saw how Widodo spoke. [rolls eyes]
Kaya ako dumaan dito, just to show my camaraderie with you and uhh, hopefully di na ako magsalita masyado kay magtake-off na ako for Manila. Pero doon sa bahay ko, ako lang mag-isa doon baka gusto niyo may sumama [chuckles]. You will---bitaw, ako lang usa.
The reason I went here is to just show my camaraderie with you and hopefully, I won’t speak much anymore because I need to take-off for Manila. However, there in my house, I live alone. Maybe anyone of you wants to come? [chuckles]. Really, I am the only one there.
Noynoy was not really, but that building there was built by Arroyo during the time Clinton visited the Philippines. Paralang chalet ‘yan but it has 2 big function rooms. Pero, yung bahay lang yung sa ano, akin. Dalawang kwarto lang: isang maliit, isang tamang-tama lang. It’s modest. But if you want to visit Malacanang, you go there, visit me then sasakay ka ng barge, you go to Malacanang. Di ako natutulog doon kasi ang multo doon harap-harapan, hindi naghintay ng gabi. Umaga pa lang. [chuckles] Hala sige, inyo na lang yan diyan. Ang mga multo daw walang pasensiya, oo. Hindi yan maghintay yan ng dark. Darkness? Wala. Alas diyes sa buntag, kita ko unsa man ning galingkod ngari? Tag-iya ni? [chuckles]
Noynoy did not really [live there], but that building there was built by Arroyo during the time Clinton visited the Philippines. It looks like a chalet, but it has 2 big function rooms. However, the house is the one that’s mine. There are only 2 rooms: one that’s small and another which has just enough [space]. . It’s modest. But if you want to visit Malacanang, you go there, visit me, ride a barge and go to Malacanang. I don’t actually sleep there because the ghosts [scare] you face-to-face, and don’t wait for the night to come. Even in the morning [chuckles[. Go on, the place is all yours. Ghosts, they day, do not have patience. They don’t wait for the dark. Darkness? No. Even at 10 in the morning, I saw someone sitting somewhere? What, was he[she] the owner? [chuckles]
Well anyway, I have to go because I have to work tomorrow. Line-up so many things. I’m just happy to have visited you here, and to sige lang. Basta ganito, for the benefit of the media, if you order your troops, tao o tropa, hanapin ninyo, arestuhin ninyo. ‘Pag magsurrender, okay lang. ‘Pag ayaw magsurrender, then you have to overcome the resistance. ‘Pag ang surrender nya may baril and you feel that you will die today, tonight, eh bakit maghintay ka pa? Eh di barilin mo na.
Well anyway, I have to go because I have to work tomorrow. Many things have lined up. I’m just happy to have visited you here, and to just go on. As long as it’s like this, for the the media, if you order your troops or your people, find them and arrest them. If they surrender, it’s okay. If they don’t, then you have to overcome the resistance. If he(she) has a gun and you feel that you will die today, tonight, why wait? Go on and shoot him(her).
Because, ganito yan.Kriminal. Pulis. [holds up fingers as representations] May kriminal, ang trabaho ng pulis is to arrest. So ang aresto is to announce that you are the law ug may panahon pa, you’re the law implementing the law. Then,you have to bring him to the police station or bring him to the court \pag ka warrant of arrest. Ngayon kung ito magresist, pag suntuk-suntukan lang, talagang mabugbog mo o mabato mo o mapalo mo because you have to overcome the resistance para madala mo siya. Otherwise, kung hindi mo madala you are a failure. Kaya sabihin mo, “Padre, kung sumama ka sa akin ng buhay okay. ‘Pag sumama ka sa akin ng patay, patayin kita”.
Because it’s like this. A criminal and a pulis [holds up fingers as representations]. There’s a criminal and a police’s job is to arrest [that criminal]. The arrest is done by announcing that you are the law and if there is still time, you’re the law implementing the law. Then, you have to bring him to the police station or bring him to the court in the case with a warrant of arrest. Now if the person resists, if just by punches, it can’t be avoided that you’ll box him or hit him or slap him because you have to overcome the resistance so you can bring him with you. Otherwise, you are a failure. That’s why you have to say, “Bro, if you go with me alive, okay. If you go with me dead, I will kill you.”
Eh,wala akong magawa you are resisiting. Lalo na kung may baril, ehh. Ngayon kung wala baril, manghiram ka diyan sa mananggiti ng sundang. [chuckles] Hindi wag yan kay luma na ‘yan. Yung mga, ano na lang yan. Yan ang gusto nilang mangyari. Ibig sabihin, tingnan mo ‘to, kaya gusto nila, nilagay lang daw yung baril tapos gibalot daw ng plaster. Sabi ko, “hindi trabaho ng pulis yan magbalot. Hindi kami gumagawa ng mummy para sa pulis.” Wala ka nang pakialam diyan. Why would you waste your time? Doon yan sa kabila.
I can’t do anything about since you resisted especially if there’s a gun. Now if you don’t have a gun, borrow a bolo from a coconut climber [chuckles]. No, not that because that’s very ancient. Those are only [for coconut climbing]. That’s what they want to happen. That means, look at this, that is why they want it like that, they’ll say that the gun was just planted and wrapped with plaster. I said, “it’s not the work of the police to wrap. We don’t make mummies for the police.” You have no business whatsoever. Why would you waste your time? That’s from the other side.
You must remember na, [does actions with fingers]. And there were policemen, members of the [inaudible]. Tsaka yang ninja nandiyan pa sa labas. I hope walang ninja dito. Paninja-ninja kayo, tuli-on ta mo’g usab.
You must remember that [does actions with fingers]. And there were policemen, members of the [inaudible], and the ninja is stil out there. I hope there are no ninjas here. If you become a ninja, I’ll circumcise you again.
I’m putting up an award. Kukunin niyo ang listahan kay Bato. Two million per head ako. Special yan. Special prize dahil kay pulis. Tangina, imagine pulis magawa ka ng---that’s treason. Kaya 2 million sila. Walang ano yan. Mag under-the-table ako, basta ninja. Wala nang general kay gipahawa naman.
I’m putting up an award. Get the list from Bato. It’s 2 million per head, for me. It’s special, it’s a special prize because he’s a police. Motherfucker, imagine a police doing that, that’s treason. That’s why it’s 2 million for them. There are no (questions) for that. I’ll even do under-the-table for ninjas. There are no generals anymore since they were removed already.
Pero ang importante man dito, nakuha niyo ang message ko. Nakuha niyo yung message ko na [does actions with fingers]? Basta ‘wag kayo ang mamatay. Kung mamatay, ang anak, ang asawa? Ana lang sa---‘wag kayong kumpyansa.
What’s important here is that you got my message. Did you get my message [does actions with fingers]? As long as you don’t get killed. If you die, [what will happen to] your children,your wife? Just don’t let your guard down.
Karon kadto, sabi ko, kadtong gusto muuban sa Manila naa pa’y lingkuranan ang kuan. Wa ma’y daga ani siguro. Walang dalaga diyan, no? Murag wa, ikaw Ma’am? Pagkuha’g damit ngadto Ma’am, good for 2 days. [chuckles]
Now as I said, those who want to go with me in Manila, there are still available seats. I believe there are no single ladies here. There aren’t any single lady, are there? It lloks like there are none, how about you Ma’am? Go ahead Ma’am, and get your clothes good for 2 day. [chuckles]
Di na ko magdugay, daghang salamat ninyo.
I won’t stay longer, thank you very much.

you're welcome, boss balong. tambal pud sa kamingaw sa pinalanggang probinsya sa bohol. murag taud taud naman ka wa kauli sa bohol.

PERSONAL NGA PAGPADALA NISAKA SA US$19.5 BILYONES SA UNANG WALO KA BUWAN SA 2016

Ang personal nga pagpadala sa mga Overseas Filipinos (OFs) sa Agosto 2016 kay nisaka ug 16 ka porsyento year-on-year ug niabot ug US$2.6 bilyones, niana karung adlawa ang Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Officer-in-Charge Nestor A. Espenilla. Kung basihan sa year-to-date, ang personal nga pagpadala sa unang walong buwan sa 2016 kay nidako ug 4.4 porsyento kumpara sa niaging tuig ug karun kay US$19.5 bilyones na. Ang kadakan sa personal nga pagpadala kay gilangkoban sa pagbalhin sa mga land-based nga trabahante nga nay contrata ug isa ka tuig ug labaw pa (US$15.1 bilyones) ug sa mga pagpadala pud nga gikan sa mga sea-based ug land-based nga trabahante nga naay contrata nga di mulapas ug isa ka tuig (US$4.1 bilyones).

Ang kwarta nga pagpadala sa mga OFs nga gipaagi sa bangko kay nirehistro ug pagsaka ug 16.3 porsyento sa Agosto 2016. Ang nagdugangdugang nga pagpadala sa unang walong buwan sa 2016 kay nisaka ug 4.6 porsyento nga mutotal sa US$17.6 bilyones. Sa particular, ang kwarta nga pagpadala sa mga land-based nga trabahante kay nisaka ug 6.5 porsyento sa US$13.1 bilyones samtnag ang sa mga sea-based nga trabahante kay niubos ug 1.9 porsyento ug niabot sa US$3.8 bilyones. Mga 80 porsyento sa mga kwarta nga pagpadala kay gika sa United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Japan, Qatar, Hong Kong, ug Germany.

SPEECH OF PRESIDENT RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE
DURING HIS VISIT TO BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
October 16, 2016
Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex, Brunei Darussalam


O-okay uhh maupo kayong lahat. Salamat po. [applause]
Okay, panglingkod na kamong tanan. Salamat. [pamalakpak]

Uhh it is not because I want to impress you their presence but rather I will just introduce them para malaman po ninyo ang mga opisyal ninyo kaming taga-gobyerno na binabayaran ninyo to serve the Filipino people. [applause] [coughs]
Uh, dili kay ganahan nako ipasigarbo nga naa sila diri karon kung dili gusto nako sila ipaila-ila para makahibalo pud mo sa mga opisyales namong mga taga-gobyerno nga gibayran ninyo para alagaran ang katawhan sa Pilipinas. [pamalakpak]

I’d like to just, of course si Jun Yasay. Then we have the Secretary Carlos Dominguez III sa finance. [applause]
Gusto ra nako, siyempre si Jun Yasay. Unya naa pud si Secretary Carlos Dominguez III sa Finance. [pamalakpak]

Then we have Secretary Delfin Lorenzana sa national defense [applause], used to be a general uhh in the service of his nation in Mindanao many years ago nagkakilala kami.
Unya dia pud si Secretary Delfin Lorenzana sa National Defense [pamalakpak], kanhing general sa, uh, nag-alagad sa nasud didto sa Mindanao pila na ka tuig ang nilabay kung asa mi nag-kaila.

Yung mga proponents at nakakatulong sa ating mga kababayan sila si Secretary Ramon Lopez [applause] yung Go Negosyo.
Katong mga nagpasimuno ug nakatabang sa atong mga kanasuran sila si Secretary Ramon-Lopez [pamalakpak], anang Go Negosyo.

Then uhh we have Secretary Jesus Dureza [applause] who’s working very hard uhh is uhh the lead party talking to our uhh brothers and sisters who are uhh nasa left but uhh there’s a talk going on between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines.
Unya dia pud si Jesus Dureza [pamalakpak] nga kinsa nagtrabaho gayud ug maayo, siya ang nag-una sa pakigi-istorya sa atong mga kaisugoonan nga naa sa wala. Adunay pakighisgot tunga sa gobyerno ug sa Communist Party of the Philippines.

Uhh si Jesus Dureza is one of the sa panel ng mga sa gobyerno at hopefully uhh you know this war on sa ideology. This has been going on for the last 45 years. So, I ask the Communist Party, total halos magkapareho tayo ng balahibo, [laugh] uhh I belong to the left uhh, I’m the first left president ninyo po. Pero hindi po ako komunista. I am not a member of the Communist Party but I share the same horizons because anak lang po ako… it’s not because I am poor but because uhh I am a son of uhh migrant doon sa Mindanao and we started… well, it was a long hard sacrifice. It was then I had frontier down.
Uhh si Jesus Dureza kay usa sa mga panel sa gobyerno ug unta, kahibalo na mo, kaning giyera sa mga ideya. Kani nagpadayon na sa katapusang 45 ka tuig. Busa, ako nanghanyo sa Communist Party, total halos pareho ra man ta ug balhibo, [katawa] uhh ako uban sa mga wala, ako ang una ninyong Presidente. Pero dili ko komunista. Dili ko miyembro sa Communist Party pero ako inyong kabahin sa parehong paglantaw tungod kay anak ra man ko… dili kay tungod sa pobre ko pero tungod kay, uh, ako us aka anak sa migrante sa Davao ug kami nagsugod nga…hinuon, usa man to ka taas ug lisod nga sakripisyo. Mao pa tong nga ako pa ang nagkubot sa utlanan.

Then we have Secretary Yasmin Busran-Lao, the National Commission of Muslim Filipino. [applause] At uhh ang tatay ko po ay Cebuano but my, on the mother side, ang lolo ko Chinese, ang lola ko Maranao, a Muslim. [applause]
Unya dia pud si Secretary Yasmin Busran-Lao, sa National Commission of Muslim Filipino. [pamalakpak. Ug, uh, akong amahan kay Cebuano, pero ang akong, sa tuod sa akong inahan, akong lolo Chineses, ang akong lola kay Maranao, usa ka Muslim.

Then we have uhh Secretary Abul Khayr Alonto of the Mindanao Development Authority. [applause] Then we have the favorite of uhhm ‘yung babae na madaldal… [laugh] paborito ‘tas Senator Cayetano. [applause]
Unya dia pud si Secretary Abul Khayr Alonto sa Mindanao Development Authority. [pamalakpak. Di pud ang paboritong babaye nga tabian…paborito ‘tas Senador Cayetano.

And, uhh ito yung… the next is… uhh ito yung mga abogado na mga… celebrity… mga mga artista kung naghiwalayan, nagkademandahan. Dito siya medyo perfect uhh Attorney Panelo, the Presidential Adviser. [applause]
Ug, uhhh kaning…kaning sunod…kanang mga abogado sa mga sikat…mga mga artista kung mabuwagan, magkakihaan. Diri mura siyag medyo perpekto uhh Attorney Panelo, and Presidential Adviser.

Then we have uhh a guy whose uhh kilala niyo ‘to by by name but uhh he’s a music man actually. He sings so pakantahin aba kung… kung may panahon pa. [laugh] He’s really a rock and roll guy of the [inaudible] years… Ramon Jacinto of the Economic Affairs and Information and Technology [inaudible] [applause]
unya di pud tay mga tawo nga kaila mo sa pangalan pero sa tinuoray usa siya ka tawo sa musika. Maayo siya mukanta busa ato nalang siyang pakantahon â€" kung naa pay oras. [pamalakpak]. Siya hilig gayud sa rock and roll sa pilila ka yug. Ramos Jacinto sa Econimoc Affairs and Infromation and Technology,

And of course uhh we have here the beautiful wife of Senator Cayetano… si Ma’am [applause] Laarni, the mayor of Taguig City. Eh uhh yung si Ma’am talaga is gusto niya background lang [laugh] Uhh then of course Mr. Ambassador. Thank you for the warm welcome mga kababayan kong Pilipino [applause]. You have you have a very limited time that’s why I think I’m the only one who’s allowed to talk to you uhh sa aming entourage.
Ug siyempre naa pud diri ang matahum nga asawa ni Senator Cayetano… si Ma’am [pamalakpak] Laarni, ang mayor sa Taguig City. Eh uhh si Ma’am gayud gusto lang niya nga naa siya sa likod. Ug siyempre dia pud si Mr. Ambassador. Salamat sa mainit nga pagtagbo akong mga kababayan kong mga Pilipino. [pamalakpak]. Naa tay gamay lamang nga oras maong murag ako ra ang gitugutan nga muistorya aning among pundok.

But let me start by just saying uhh marami pong salamat kay uhh Sultan sa Brunei [applause] for his uhh. He’s a good friend. Uhh your majesty, thank you for uhh hosting a lot of Filipinos in your state and for being kind to them. [applause]
Pero pasagdi ko nga sugdan ni sa pag-ingon nga daghan kaayog salamat sa Sultan sa Brunei [pamalakpak] para sa iyang uh. Usa siya ka maayo nga amigo. Uh your majesty, salamat sa pagdawat sa daghang mga Pilipino sa imong estado ug sa imong pagkamaayohon kanila. [pamalakpak]

Please accept, you and your family and to the people of Brunei, our gratitude and we will not forget that. [applause] Maraming salamat po.
Palihog dawata, ikaw ug imong pamilya ug sa tanang katawhan sa Brunei, among pagpasalamat ug kami dili makalimot niini. [pamalakpak]. Daghan kaayog salamat.

[stutters] Sa inyo nanaman, maraming salamat na nanalo ako rito… [applause] Well, tell you something, I am not a member of the national persona. Hindi ninyo ako kilala, mayor lang po ako ng isang siyudad sa Mindanao. I was an outsider really from the political elite. Hindi ako elilista, [inaudible] yan ang problema natin sa Pilipinas. I am not a member of the elite, I cannot be one, and I will never be one. [applause]
Sa inyo na pud, daghan kaayog salamat kay nakadaog ko diri…[pamalakpak]. Bus, ingon ko, dili ko miyembro sa nasyunal nga persona. Wala mo kalia nako, mayor lang ko sa us aka siyudad sa Mindanao. Usa gayud ko ka tagagawas sa mga uyok sa pulitika. Dili ko elitist, [dili masabtan] mao na ang problema sa Pilipinas. Dili ko miyembro sa mga uyok, dili ko pwede mahimong usa, ug dili gayud ko mahimong usa.

But you know…  sa… nung election from the outside uhh anywhere uhh I had a landslide victory. That’s the reason why umabot ng 6 million ung lamang ko sa the nearest rival is because of uhh what was the message about. Ang problema sa Pilipinas… matagal na tayong, just a little uhh give you an analogy, ang Pilipinas tumitake off, nakaposisyon patakbo. ‘Bat hanggang ngayon hindi talaga naglift. There is no lift to bring it to the air of just even a comfortable life or a peaceful life for everybody. Tumatakbo lang tayo sa runway ng…
Pero kahibalo mo…sa… niadtong eleksyon gikan sa gawas, uh, bisan asa, dako kaayo ang kadaugan nako. Mao nay rason nga niabot sa 6 milyon ang akong labaw sa akong pinakaduol nga kalaban tungod kay, uh, unsa gani to bahin ang mensahe. Ag problema sa Pilipinas…dugay na tang, gamay lang, hatagan lang ta mo ug pagkapareha, ang Pilipinas padung na mutakeoff, nakaposisyon na sa pagdagan. Pero nganong hangtud karon dili ta musaka. Wala ta musaka kay para dal-on ta sa kahanginan para maabot man lang nato ang komportable nga kinabuhi o kalinawan para sa tanan. Nagdagan ra man ta sa runway sa…

And uhh ako po’y… I’ve been the mayor of Davao City for 23 years. Uhmm, naging congressman ako. I was, once a funny time, the vice-mayor of my daughter, yung nanuntok ng [laugh] sheriff… si Inday, she is now back to being mayor but she’s uhh uhmm hindi masyado siyang mobile because she she lost two of her… yung sa nang triplets. Uhh it’s a very sad uhh for uhh expectant grandfather. So much expectations na… inuuna mo na kasi na laruin mo ganun then uhh just na sabihin sayo there was a [inaudible].
Ug ako…ako nahimong mayor sa siyudad sa Davao sa 23 ka tuig. Nahimo kong kongresman. Ako sauna, muot ni nga mga panahon, ang bise-mayor sa akong anak nga babaye, katong nanumbag ug sheriff…si Inday, nibalik na siya sa pagkamayor pero dili kaayo siya nagalihok kay bag-o pa siya nawad-an sa iyang duha…tulo niya ka anak. Usa gayud kini ka masubo nga higayon para sa usa ka nagdahum nga lolo. Daghan kaayo ko ug gidahom nga…giuna man gud nimo ang duwa nimo maong unha akong iingon nimo nga naay [dili masabtan].

Well anyway uhmm… ang mensahe kasi lang lahat, sinabi ko hindi ninyo ako kilala. Hindi naman ako sikat. Ayaw ko namang sumikat. At noon pa, during the time of Ramos, eh they would like to see me in the Cabinet and uhh kay Arroyo pati kay Estrada na I’ve always refused a Cabinet position because I just wanted to be … You know, yung simple na buhay lang, walang yabang walang… eh probinsiyano eh. But you know what, it’s destiny. I mean I’m I’m not saying that uhh I’m not belittling the the party. My party, PDP. But it was almost a [inaudible]. Uhh it was not moving except the father, Senator Pimentel, and the son, si Koko, who’s now the Senate President. Yun lang ho ang ano… wala ho akong except [inaudible] ni Marcos and Governor Abet of uhh… Garcia sa Bataan… wala ho akong governor. Dalawa lang. Yung isa sa Mindanao. Uhh I would not [inaudible; audio stops] [applause]
Busa, sa laing higayon…ang mensahe lang nako sa tanan, ingon ko wala kamo nakaila kanako. Dili man ko sikat. Dili man ko gahanan musikat. Ug sa niadto pa, niadtong panahon ni Ramos, sila gusto na makakita nako nga parte sa Cabinet, uhh kay Arroyo ug kay Estrada, pero kalingaw ra ko magdumili sa us aka posisyon sa gabinete. Gusto ra ko, kahibaw na mo, simple nga kinabuhi, walay kahambugan, eh probinsiyano eh. Pero kahibaw mo, apil na kini sa kapalaran. Akong pasabot, wala ko nag-ingon, wala nako gipagamay ang partido. Ang akong partido, PDP. Pero kadto hapit, dili man to makalihok pwera sa amahan, Senador Pimentel, ug ang anak, si Koko nga karon mao na ang Senate President. Mao ra na ang kuan, wala koy, pwera ni Marcos ug Gobernador Abet sa uh, Garcia sa Bataan…wala koy gobernador. Duha ra. Ang usa naa sa Mindanao. Uh dili nako….[pamalakpak]

Hindi man niyo kilala rin yun. [Heyohoho; teases] [laugh] You don’t know her, so but of course, you guys from there, alam ninyo yan. Uhh it’s it was an open secret by [inaudible] affair with uhh uhh pero ngayon wala. Balik tayo doon sa tamang istorya. [laugh] Uhh eh pupunta na tayo sa babae, yan ang mahirap diyan. [laugh] Well yeah sometimes uhh I’m like that. Pagka.. just [inaudible] of ano mga babae… wala… you… para akong carabao na pwede mong hilain na ung story of puro babae [laugh]
Wala man pud mo kaila. Wala man mo kaila niya, pero siyempre, kamong mga taga diri, kahibalo na mo ani. Usa man ni ka bulgar nga sekreto nga affair pero karon wala na. balik ta didto sa saktong istorya. [katawa]. Eh muadto ta sa mga babaye, mao nay lisod ana. [katawa]. Oo usahay mura ko ug ingana. Pagka [dili masabtan] ang kuan sa mga babaye…wala…kamo…mura ko ug kabaw nga pwede ra bira-birahon sa mga istorya nga puros mga babaye.

Well anyway uhh, I won and I really trying to figure out why… why? Wala akong pera, wala namang nagbibigay. And uhh, as I have promised you, and you can confirm this with everybody, wala akong tinanggap na pera sa mga malaking negosyante. [applause] Sabi ko, wala akong tinanggap diyan sa mga… the usual [stutters] gusto ko sabihin pero… nandiyan na yan eh. Uhh kasi ayaw kong macompromise, so why?
Busa sa laing bahin, nakadaog ko ug ako gayud nga gisulayan sa masabtan ngano…ngano? Wala man koy kuwarta, wala may nagahatah kanako. Ug uh, akong saad kaninyo, ug pwede ni ninyo ipangutana sa tanan, wala koy gidawat nga kuwarta sa mga dagko nga mga negosyante. [pamalakpak]. Ingon ko, wala koy gidawat anang mga kalingaw nga mga [dili masabtan] gusto nako iingon…naa na man na eh. Kay dili man ko ganahan muareglo, busa ngano?

Anyway, ganito yan, ang Pilipinas, matagal na sanang nasa itaas. It have could have been soaring the skies of progress and development.Maybe hindi kasing altitude ng umabot ka doon ng almost the edge of the universe, but maka-take off lang sana, an administration after an administration. Mayor ako, I was a living spectator to what was really unfolding in our live(s). Election after election puro binobola mo. Nagbolahan, kaya no’ng nakita ko, nobody was talking about the conflict in Mindanao. (mumbles) We might really lose a piece of real estate here. Nobody was talking about drugs and almost all of them except... Pa’no, how can they talk about righteousness in government? Ngano? How do you explain a graft-free enterprise? Mahirap, yung mga doon, sila mismo siguro, but yung military nila mismo yung aid kasama doon sa droga. Papaano, saan na pupunta ang Pilipino?
Sa laing bahin, ingani na, ang Pilipinas, dugay na untang naa sa taas. Nakalupad na unta ni sa kalangitan sa paglambo ng pagbag-o. Basin dili pud pareho katas nga muabot na ka sa kilid sa universe, pero bisan mutake-off man lang unta, administrasyon human sa laing administrasyon. Mayor ako, ako usa pud ka buhi nga nagalantaw kung unsa mga nga panghitabo sa atong mga kinabuhi. Eleksyon human eleksyon pero pagpangilad. Nangilad ra mo sa akong nakita, wala may nagahisgut sa bikil sa Mindanao. Basin mawad-an gayud na ug bahin sa yuta ani. Wala may nagahisgut bahin sa droga ug halos tanan pwera…unsaon man, giunsa man nila paghisgot sa katarong sa gobyerno? Ngano? Unsaon man nimo pagpasabot anang mga patigayon nga walay korapsiyon. Lisod, kanan mga tua didto, sila mismo siguro, pero ang military ang tabag kauban man sa droga. Unsaon man, asa man muadto ang mga Pipino?

You must remember that there are 6000 (mumbles) 6000 policemen contaminated with drugs in the Philippines. Kaya the last, ang listahan ko na nilabas, kasi it it will just shutter the dream of the Filipinos. I-cocontain ko na lang ito in whatever manner you’d want me to do it, basta alam ko. Pati ang problema, ang mga mayor, pati barangay captains, almost 6000 of them and for the first time, a senator was elected to the national opening the portals of the government to narco-politics. (audience applaud)
Kahinumdom mo nga naay 6000, 6000 ka pulis nga nadahigan sa droga sa Pilipinas. Maong sa niagi, ang listahan nga akong gipagawas, kay mao man toy mupatay sa pangandoy sa mga Pilipino. Ako ning undagon sa bisan unsang paagi nga gusto ninyo, basta kahibalo ko. Apil sa problema, ang mga mayor, mga kapitan sa barangay, halos 6000 sa ila ug sa unang higayon, usa ka senador ang napili sa nasyunal nga pag-abri sa pultahan sa gobyerno padung sa narco-politics.
O tingnan mo. Uh I was said in a mahira.. ang bunganga ni Duterte madumi. What? Kasi nagmumura ako (mumbles) six generals in the police, into drugs! The first ones has to be fired. Na ito ngayong iba, yung malalaki, and most of the itong mayors, they play, ang problema kasi ‘pag kaila... (mumbles)
O tan-awa. Ako giingnan, ang baba ni Duterte hugaw. Unsa? Kay mamalikas man ko, unom ka heneral apil sa droga! Ang mga unang mga natanggal. Unya kani karong lain, kanang mga dagko, ug kadaghanan ani mga mayor, sila nagaduwa, ang problema man gud basta nakaila…

Maswerte talaga ako ang pinili n’yo. Hindi kasi ganito eh, sa Davao, nung naging mayor ako, dati akong prosecutor fiscal so araw-araw nasa korte ako trying to secure a conviction just to send to prison itong mga durugista. Kaya galit ako everytime a case is fixed or everytime the (mumbles) piece of evidence changes hands, ang dumadating sa akin tawas, an alum. Hindi na yung, pareha lang yan sila eh crystals. So these were the triumph times of my life, kaya kung walang mag-uusap nito walang bubunggo nitong mga animal na ‘to kawawa ang bayan (stuttters) Why am I here? I am here, because I love my country and I love the Filipino people. (crowd cheers)
Suwerte ra jud nga ako ang inyong gipili. Dili man gud ingani, eh sa Davao, niadtong nahimo kong mayor, sauna usa ko ka prosecutor fiscal, maong adlaw adlaw naa ko sa korte nagasulay nga makakuha ug silot para mapadala na sa prisohan kining mga durugista. Maong suko ko kada naay kaso nga luto o kada higayon nga naay ebidensya nga mabalhin, ang muabot sa ako ang tawas, ang alum. Dili na ang, pareha man gud sila nga krystal. Mao ni ang mga kadaugan as akong kinabuhi, mao kung walay muhisgot niini, walay mubangga aning mga mananapa, luoy ang nasud. Nganong naa ko diri? Dia ko diri, tungod kay gimahal ko ang akong nasud ang akong gimahal ang katawhan sa Pilipinas. [nalipay ang mga tawo]

Kaya gano’n.  Ngayon, what droves me to the present here, patriotism. Small town lang, small town mayor for the love of his country, no big deal. Wala akong pakialam kung mahal ninyo ang bayan ninyo basta sa akin [inaudible] country. (crowd cheers) Kaya sinabi ko, what is wrong in the statement “Do not destroy my country because I will kill you”? (crowd cheers) Simple lang yan, do not destroy the youth of the land and deprive us of the brighter tomorrow for the next generation. What is wrong then? Human rights, aynako. Kaya ako nagmumura kasi napakabobo naman nila. (crowd cheers) Hindi ako galit sa kanila, what I am trying to say, I am totally ex..exasperated, that’s the word na hindi nila alam ang batas that it is not a crime even for a civilian Filipino walking the streets to say “I hate the criminals. I hope they would die. I will kill them if I catch them.” Perfectly alright.
Maong ingana. Karon, unsay nagtulod kanako sa karon, ang patriyotismo. Gamay lang nga lungsodm gamay lang mga mayor para sa gugma sa iyang nasud, walay dako nga butang. Wala koy labot kung gihigugma ninyo ang inyong nasud basta sa ako [dili masabtan] nasud. Maong ingon ko, unsa man ang sayop sa pulong nga “Ayaw gub-a ang akong nasud kay patyon ta kamo.”? Simple ra man na, ayaw gub-a ang kabatan-onan sa akong nasud ug tanggala ang mahayag nga kaugmaon sa sumusonod nga mga henerasyon. Unsa may sayop ana? Wala ko nasuko sa ilaha, akong akong gusto ipasabot, ako gikapoy, mao ang pulong nga dili sila kahibalo sa balaod nga dili us aka krimen bisan sa usa nga sibilyan nga Pilipino nga nagalakaw sa kadalanan nga muingon “Suko gayud ko sa mga kriminal. Maayo unta nga mamatay na sila. Ako silang patyon kung makakita ko nila.” Sakto ra man na.
That’s in defence, me, that statement is in defence of my country and people. Alam mo kasi, ayaw nilang makinig. We are devastated, that is why instead of just taking the usual punitive action for arrest, mga ano dyan, sabi ko I will declare war. Why? Again, three million and that was two years ago, that figure was given by General Santiago when he was the head of the PDEA, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. Tatlong ah dalawang taon na, almost three. Itong akin ngayon, I’m still counting. So aabot ito, by the looks of it from the number of surrenderees you saw on TV, it would reach kasi 700 then 800, by the end of the year I would have to deal with another one million. So (hand gesture showing number four) Imagine, that four million is not contained in a room or a municipality provin.. it’s, nakasabog yung four million all throughout the country.
Mao na ang depensa, mao na ang akong pulong nga nagdepensa sa nasud ug sa akong katawhan. Kahibalo man gud mo, dili sila maminaw. Kami nasubo pag-ayo, maong imbes nga kasgaran nga silot sa pagdakop , mga kuan diha, ingon ko, ako magsugod ug giyera. Ngano? Usab, tulo ka milyon ug kana duha ka tuig na ang nilabay, ug kana gihatag ra ni Heneral Santiago niadtong siya pa ang ulohan sa PDEA, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. Tulo, ah, dug aka tuig. Kaning ako karon, ako nagsigi pa ug ihap. Maong muabot pa ni ug, sa ihap sa mga nisurender nga inyong nakita sa TV, muabot pa man gud ni ug 700 unya 800, inig abot sa katapusan sa tuig, muatubang na pud ko sa laing usa ka milyon. Maong, huna-hunaa, kanang upat ka milyon dili na sila sulod sa usa ka kwarto o usa ka munisipyo, nagakalat nang 4 milyon sa tibuok nasud.

So anong gusto nilang gawin ko sa bayan ko? They keep on threatening me about going, sending me to the international court of (law). Sinabi ko na nga eh. I am willing to rot in jail for the Filipino. Hindi ba ninyo maintindihan? (crowds cheer) So do not keep on threatening or intimidating may cult, calling my attention. Napaka-corny mo naman. (auience laughs) ....This ridiculous, how can you send to prison a president declaring war against the drug? Look what happened to Latin America, almost failed states. Basahin n’yo yung narcoses kung nakita n’yo yung tape and read “ion grillo”, i-o-n g-r-i-l-l-o. Alright, it’s there, it’s the South American experience of how the drugs resulted in so many failed states. Hindi mangyari sa akin yan. My God, hindi talaga ako papayag, sorry na lang. Kaya kung sabihin nila na 3000 ang namatay well, alam mo kasi wag tayong magbolahan. Yung iba talaga dyan pinatay talaga salvage, yan ang tinatawag na salvage, extrajudicial killing. I will not say there was none, meron. Pero kung sabihin mong state-sponsored killing, order ko na patayin, kalokohan yan. (crowd cheers)
Moang unsa man ang ilang gusto nako buhaton sa nasud nako? Kalingaw ra ko nila hulgaan bahin sa, ipaadto daw ko sa International Court of Law. Ingon gani ko nila, sugot ko nga ako muadto sa presohan para sa mga Pilipino. Wala ba kamo nakasabot ana? Maong ayaw ko hulgai o hadloka. Tawaga ang akong attensiyon. Korny ra pud kaayo ka. Binuang man ni, unsaon man ninyo pagbutang sa presohan ang usa ka presidente nga nagsugod ug giyera batok sa droga? Tanawa unsay nahitabo sa Latin America, halos mga palpak nga mga estado. Basaha ninyo nang mga narco kung nakita ninyo ang tape ug basaha ang “Ion Grillo”, “i-o-n g-r-i-l-l-o”. Tua didto, naagian sa South Amerika kung giunsa sa druga ang pagkapalpak aning daghang mga nasud. Dili na mahitabo sa akoa. Ginoo ko, dili gayud ko musugot, pasayloa nalang ko. Mao kung muingon sila 3000 na ang namatay, kahibalo mong dili ta tapad mag-inilaray. Kanang uban diha gipatay gayud tungod sa salvagem mga extrajudicial killings. Dili ko muingon nga wala, kay naa man. Pero kung ingon mo ug state-sponsored killings, sugo nako nga pamatyon, binuan kana.

Ang nangyari dyan, hinayaan namin, nag-intriga kami, maghuli ka dyan pero hayaan mo lang sabihin mo ang nag(mumbles) ano sa kanya nagsabi (mumbles). So we had to create the intrigues. But remember that there were so many policemen na tinatawag nilang ninja. As a matter of fact, 2000 a piece ako sa ulo nila. Because they are out of the service, they are now dead. And magwarning ako, abuot ito ng Pilipinas, pu(ta) (audience laughs)
Ang mahitabo ana, among gipasagdaan, nag-intriga mi, manakop ka diha pero imo rang gipasagdan, ingnan nimo sila nag [dili masabtan] kuan as iyaha mag-ingon [dili masabtan]. Maong kingahanlan ta muhimo sa mga intriga. Pero hinumdumi nga daghan kaayo ug mga pulis nga ilang gitawag ug ninja. Sa tinuoray lang, 2000 kada ulo nila. Tungod kay wala na man na sila sa serbisyo, patay na na sila. Maong magabiso ko, bahin aning Pilipinas, pu(ta).

Padre, ah wag tayong magkasalubong. ‘Pag nagkasalubong tayo sorry na lang talaga, totoo, either patayin mo ako o putangina mo. (crowd cheers) Hindi ko mapigil ang galit ko. Di naman ah, si Duterte hindi naman (unclear) “but my countrymen...to the problems”, no such thing. Eh walang ah ang ang pagkaalam ko all that I know is that I ran for president and I won. I never applied to be statesman. Hindi ko kaya ang prim and proper, hindi ko kaya yang magbarong magmaong-maong(mumbles) (crowd laughs) Uhh barong makati (crowd laughs and cheers) Ah ako talagang maong you know why, sasabihin ko na sa inyo. Bakit si Duterte cannot dress properly? Well, if you are looking for a sartorial elegance, all you have to do is look at Atty. Panelo. (crowd laughs) Tingnan mong sapatos, pati yung langaw ma-slide sa ka-shine ng sapatos nya. (crowd laughs) Tingnan mo. O sa’kin o walang shine, walang brush-brush (crowd laughs) tissue lang yan sa banyo (brushing gesture), ok na. ‘Lam mo, tinanggap ninyo ako na ganito eh di ganito ako. Bakit, why do (crowd cheers).
Padre, dili unta ta magkahinagbo. Kung magkahinagbo ta pasayloa nalang jud ko, tinuod, patya nalang ko o putanina nimo. Dili nako mapug-ngan ang akong kasuko. Dili man pud ah, si Duterte dili man pud (dili klaro) “pero ang katawhan sa akong nasud…para sa mga problema”, wala may ingani nga butang. Eh wala man, sa akong nahibaloan, nidagan ko isip pagkapresidente unya ako nakadaog. Wala gayud ko nagdahum nga mahimong politiko. Dili nako kaya nang angayan ug tarong, dili nako kaya magbarong, magmaong-maong. Uhhh, barong kay katol. Ah ako gayud kay magmaong kahibaw mo ngano, ako iingon sa inyo. Nganong si Duterte kay dili man makasinina ug tarong? Kung nangita mo ug maanyag nga pagtahi, tanawa lang ninyo si Atty. Panelo. Tanawa ang sapatos, bisan ang langaw maslide sa kasinaw sa iyang sapatos. Tanawa. O ako, walay pasinaw, walay limpyo limpyo. Tisyu ra sa banyo, sakto na. kahibaw mo gidawat ko ninyo nga ingani, unya ingani man ko. Ngano man?
And for me, sabi nila ‘yang mga Manila guys hindi nila alam, ‘yang elitista talaga. You might want to tone down your curses, your (unclear) well, depende sa crowd. If I am before yung ganitong uh mga durugista kayong nandyan, ay putang. Siguro ngayon mga singkwenta na ka putangina ang natanggap n’yo sa’kin. Pero, dahil nandito ako, magpasalamat nga yung mama sa inyo eh dahil sa tulong ninyo. And I like to tell you frankly, it has to stop because it is destroying my country. At ang una talaga bakit hindi tayo nag tatake-off ang corruption. (crowd cheers)
Ug para sa akoa, ingon sila, kanang mga lalaki sa Manila wala sila kahibalo, kang mga elitist gayud. Basin gusto nimo kuhaan nang imong pamalikas, imong (dili klaro), depende sa tawo. Kung ako nagaatubang sa inganing mga durugista nga naa diha, ay putang. Siguro karon mga singkwenta na ka putanina inyong nadawat gikan sa akoa. Pero tungod kay naa man ko diri, magpasalamat gani ang tawo sa inyo sa inyong tabang. Eh gusto nako mo ingnan sa tinuoray nga, kinahanglan na ni iundang kay nagguba na ni sa akong nasud. Ug ang una gayud nga rason nganong dili ta kalupad kay korapsiyon.

So, sa panahong ‘to, 8-8-8, bukas na yan. Tapos sabi ko sa RTM, si Sec. Andanar, after the news sa PTV-4 I think, it’s government channel, i-post na doon i-text mo lang, opisina, the agency, Rodrigo Duterte, Office of the President, humihingi ng singkwenta mil sa.... lalabas ‘yan doon. I will also give them the right to be heard.They can also text back, “Bakit nagtagal?”
Sa panahon karon, 8-8-8, abli na na. human ingon ko sa RTM,si Sec. Andanar, human sa news sa PTV-4, akong gihunahuna, usa n aka channel sa gobyerno, ipakita didto nga itext ra nimo, opisina, agency, Rodrigo Duterte, Office of the President, ngangayo ug singkwenta mil sa…mugawas na didto. Ako maghatag pud ug kanila ug katungod para madunggan. Pwede pud sila maka text usab, “nganong natanggal?”

Pero sa lahat ng gobyerno ngayon, except those without or beyond my control, mga separate judiciary pati congress, it’s one month. One month ang papel mo. It’s a uh(mumbles) approve or disapprove, palabasin mo one month. Sa syudad ko noon sa Davao, three days- business clearance, electrical connections, ‘yang sa bombero na yan isa pa yan. Buti’t naka(points at camera) kayo isa din kayo (crowd cheers). Kasi ‘yang business it has to pass by the, pagdating n’yan doon sa police doon sa PAR(?) Department yung building clearance mo, pagkata(pos), makinig kayo ah. Bwisit to. Pagbigay ng papel, pabilhan ka ng fire extinguisher. May contact yan sila eh, mga fire extinguisher, oo. Kaya mabuti pa ‘pag nandyan sila sunugin mo na ‘yang bahay mo. Tangina, buysit ka (crowd laughs). Sige, patayin mo na’ng extinguisher mo.
Pero sa tanan nga gobyerno karon, pwera atong mga dili na abot sa akoa, nga laing judiciary ug apil kongresso, usa na ka buwan. Usa ka buwan ang papel nimo. Kuan ra ni, tugutan o dili tugutan, pagawsa nga us aka buwan. Sa siyudad nako kaniadto sa Davao, tula ka adlaw, business clearance, electrical connections, kanang sa mga bombero usa pa na. Maayo gani (tudlo sa kamera), kamo usa pud mo. Kay kanang mga negosyo dapat na sila mupasar sa, inig abot ana didto sa mga pulis sa PAR (?) Department, ang building clearance nimo, pagkahuman, paminaw mo. Bwusit to. Paghatag sa papel, papaliton ka ug fire extinguisher. Naa na nay contact, mga fire extinguisher. Maong maayo kung naa na sila sunuga na nang imong balay. Tanina, buysit ka. Sige, patya na nang imong fire extinguisher.

Ganun ang raket dyan and everything doon sa LTO but replace General Galvante, he’s very good, Atty. Del Gras(?), basta yung regulation, yung nireregulate. Kaya sabi ko sa cabinet, the least intervention, the better. The least ang pakialam natin dayan sa pagpapatakbo ng gobyerno. So one month tayong lahat, pati ako. And down the line, sabi ko kay Sec.Sueno  ng DILG to establish an orderly procedure, three days. Yung mga mayors, pag ay di kayo makaano di bigay nyo ang authority sa doon sa sinong demonyong gusto nyong bigyan nyan basta, three days.
Ingana ang pamaagi diha ug asa pa didto sa LTO pero pulihi si Heneral Galvante, maayo kaayo siya, Atty. Del Gras (?), basta ang regulation, katong nireregulate. Maong ingon ko sa cabinet, gamay nga pag-apil apil, mas maayo. Gamyi ang pag-apil apil nato anang pagpadagan sa gobyerno. Maong us aka buwan para sa atong tanan, bisan ako. Ug human sa tanan, ingon k okay Sec. Sueno sa DILG nga maghimo ug maayong pamaagi , tulo ka adlaw. Kanang mga mayor, kung dili kamo makakuan, di ihatag ang awtoridad sa anhang mga demonyong gusto ninyo hatagan basta tulo ka adlaw.

Ngayon, ayaw kong makipag-away. I know na yung local officials are only under my supervision. I do not have the control gaya ng cabinet. The cabinet is under my control and supervision, meaning to say, you can change the decision. That is control. Kunyari may desisyon si Sec. Andanar hindi ko nagustuhan, I can change it. But sa mga local, he’s the elected, syempre, hindi ka makapaalam. But under, I see to it that everything is orderly and of course, correct. Pag hindi correct, ah dyan tayo hindi magkaintindihan.
Karon, dili ko gusto makig-away. Kahibaw ko nga ang mga lokal nga opisyales naa sa ilalom as akong pagbantay. Wala gayud koy kontrol pareho sa cabinet. And cabinet naa sa ilalow sa akong kontrol ug pagbantay, pasabot ana, pwede ninyo bag-ohon ang desisyon. Mao nay kontrol. Pananglitan naay desisyon si Sec. Andanar nga wala ninyo ganahi, pwede nako usabon. Pero sa mga lokal, siya ang napili, siyempre dili mi mangilabot. Pero sa ilalom nako, akong bantayan nga ang tanan maayo, ug siyempre, sakto. Kung dili gani na sakto, ah, anha na ta dili magkasinabot.
I do not want really to interfere. The least intervention sa amin, but I would like to urge, hinahamon ko ang local government because this piece of (unclear). Wag ninyo talagang masyadong pahirapan ang Pilipino otherwise, ako di na ako makatakbo at mayro’n silang sinasabi na hindi ko matapos ang six years ko. Yung iba sabi nila ma “coup de etat” ako, sabi ng ibang mga taga-Amerika, lahat ng Pilipino sa Amerika magpunta doon sa Manila kasi, sige. Mag-uwian lahat ng Pilipino, bagsak tayo doon sa ilalim ng Manila Bay, tingnan mo. (crowd laughs)
Dili gayud ko ganahan mangilabot. Ang gamay nga pakiglabot sa amoa, pero gusto pud ko muawhag, ginaawhag ko ang mga lokal nga gobyerno tungod ani (dili klaro). Ayaw gayud ninyo grabe nga palisuran ang katawhan sa Pilipinas, kung dilim ako dili na makadagan ug naay mga nagingon nga dili na nako mahuman ang unom ka tuig nako. Ang uban miingon “coup de etat” nako, ingon ang uban mga taga Amerika maunhi sa Manila, sige. Pauli mo tanan mga Pilipino, hagbong tang tanan sa ilalom sa Manila Bay.

Sa hangin nila, mga hangin ito they think that they can change, who are you to change the choice of the people? But pero ako, sabi ko wag n’yo akong takutin because I became president, by almost, a miracle to me. Atleast sabi niyo, “ay pera yan, terorismo”.  Ah, you’re entitled to your own opinion but you guys you would living (unclear) to what transpired during last election. That’s destiny.
Sa hangin nila, mga hangin nagahunahuna sila nga pwede sila magbago, pero kinsa man mo para bag-ohon ang gipili sa mga tawo? Pero ako, ingon ko ayaw ko hadloka tungod kay kung ako mahimong presidente, hapit mahimong milargo para sa ako. Labing menos ingon mo “ay kwarta na, terorismo”. Ah, pwede kamo makapagawas sa inyong mga kaugalingong mga opinion pero kamo buhi (dili klaro) sa mga nahitabo sa niaging piniliay.

So if God wants me to be there only two years, he will find a reason to oust me. Either He will kill me, babagsak ako, o ang military magsabi sila “ayaw na namin” edi sige. Pero wag na yang ‘coup de etat” madugo yan. Kasi hindi talaga ako lalabas ako sa opisina ko ng buhay. Patayin mo muna ako. Pero sige, two years, three years, sige halika dito linya. Wag na tayong magpatayan. Ah right hand (raises right hand as if reciting pledge) “I, General ....kami na...” edi sige babye (crowd laughs) edi kayo, you solve the problem of the Philippines. Eh, di pag ganon, so, what does that mean to me?
Maong kung gusto sa Ginoo nga duha ra ko ka tuig diri, mangita siya ug paagi para pahawaon ko. Basin iya kong patyon, matagak ko, o ang military muigon “dili na mi ganahan niya”. Pero ayaw na nang “coup de etat” madugo na. Kay dili man gayud ko mugawas sa opisina ng buhi. Patya sa ko. Pero sige, duh aka tuig, tulo ka tuig, dali diri paglinya. Dili na ta magpinatyanay. Ag tuong kamot (niisa sa tuong kamot) “I General …kami na…” edi sige, ba bye. Edi kamo, isulbad ang mga problema sa Pilipinas. Eh kung ingana, unsa man ang pasabot niana sa akoa?

That is part of my destiny. Wag ninyo akong takutin kasi para sa akin bigay ng Diyos yan, ang buhay ko pati ung trabaho. [applause] Ngayon, anytime, kunin nga sa akin yan. Then, that would be part of the history of my presidency. So, forget about ‘yang ouster-ouster. Kasi ‘pag mainit ang ulo ko na… [laugh] ang tingin ko sa inyo puro drug addict. Ha bang bang bang bang [laugh] [inaudible]
Parte ni sa akong kapalaran. Ayaw ko hadloka kay para sa ako hinatag ni sa Ginoo sa ako, ang akong kinabuhi ug akong trabaho. Karon, bisan unsang oras, kuhaon diay gayud ni sa ako. Mahimo na nang parte sa kasaysayan sa akong pagkapresidente. Maong kalimti na nang pagpahawa kanako. Kay kung init gani akong ulo, ang akong tan-aw kaninyo puros adik sa druga. Ha bang bang bang bang.

Kita niyo ung ganun? [laugh] Mamili bat kayo [stutters] Yung iba siguro takutin ninyo ng ganun. [Hmmph, Hmmph, Hmmph] [laugh] Mahirap yan. [inaudible] Sinasabi ko pa noon sa mga asawa ko [gesture] [laugh] Sagutin mo ako kasi ako ang matapang. [laugh] Gwapo uhh eh kwestiyonable yan. [laugh] Hindi naman tayo tisoy kagaya kay Senator Cayetano. [laugh] Uhh ordinaryo lang pero we have to do it right. But what I can really assure you is that until the last drug pusher, until, my god, criminal, uhh international crime would would have erased your name and the [inaudible]. Until the last drug pusher is out of the streets, until the last drug lord [slit throat gesture] [applause] Then do we stop. Then I will declare that the war has ended. When? Until the last day of my term if it needs be. Ganun ang istorya niya, hindi ninyo ako naintindihan eh. Kasi hindi niyo sinusunod ang utak ko kasi hindi ninyo ako kilala. That’s the problem. Hindi ako kilala ng mga elitist, mga oligarchs. Hindi naman ako kilala ng mga politiko. Do not threaten me, susmaryosep. [laugh] Ngayon kung sabihin mo tuloy na ang mga lahat ng magaganda sa Pilipinas hindi na makalapit sa akin, ay problema yan maam. [laugh]

Nakakita ba mo adto? Mamili, ngano man mo. Ang uban siguro maingon adto ninyo paghadlok. Lisod na. Ako pa ganeng isulti sa una sa akong mga asawa, “Tubaga ko kay ako man ang isog.” Gwapo gud, kwestiyonable na. Dili man ta tisoy parehas ni Sen. Cayetano. Ordinarya ra man ta apan kinahanglan pod nato buhaton kon unsa ang sakto. Pero ako gyu’ng mapasalig ninyo nga hantod sa kinaulihang pusher sa drogas, sus Ginoo, [ang usa ka] kriminal, ang internasyonal nga krimen ang mupala sa inyong ngalan. Hangtod sa kinatapusang pusher sa drogas galaroy-laroy sa mga kalsada, hangtod sa ang kinaulihang drug lord, usa pa kita muhunong. Unya akong ideklarar nga natapos na ang giyera. Kanus-a? Hangtod sa kinaulihang adlaw sa akong termino ug kon gikinahanglan. Mao na ang iyang istorya, wala man gud ko ninyo masabtan. Tungod kay wala man mo nakasunod sa akong utok kay wala man mo nakaila ka nako. Mao na ang problema. Wala ko ma-ilhi sa mga elitist ug mga oligarko. Wala man ko mailhi sa mga politiko. Ayaw ko hulgaa, susmaryosep. Karon, ug imong isulti nga tanang mga gwapa sa Pilipinas dili makaudlo nako, aw problema na, Ma’am.

So uhh gaganda ang buhay natin. In the fullness of God’s time, gaganda ang… By the grace of Allah, Salam Alaikum. [inaudible Arabic] kapatid. [applause] Gaganda yan, sigurado ako. I give you my word. I give you my honor. Talagang malinis itong gobyernong ‘to. [applause]

Busa munindot ang atong kinabuhi. Sa kahingpitan sa panahon sa Diyos, pinaagi sa grasya ni Allah, Salam Alaikum, munindot ang atong [kinabuhi] mga igsoon [gastorya ug Arabic]. Munindot na, sigurado ko. Akong isaad ka ninyo. Akong gihalad ninyo ang akong dungog. Limpyo gyud ning maong gobyerno.

And crime has to stop. So it will not bug the Filipino people of their… kung kung paano natin pagandahin ang bayan. I’m 71. I do not even expect I could complete this… the whole uhh… That’s too far away. Dalawang, tatlong buwan lang tayo, bakbakan na eh. So… but uhh no more of ‘yan umuwi kayo. Kaya kayo, kapag may manghingi sa inyo, sa airport palang sampalin niyo na agad. [laugh] Totoo totoo. I will authorize you to use uhh. Wag naman barilin. [laugh] ‘Sa bagay, galing man kayo sa labas. No more yung bala-bala. Pu-putâ€"kakainin mo yangâ€"leche.

Kinahanglang muundang na ning krimen, aron dili na masamok ang mga Pilipino kon unsaon nila pangpanindot ang ilahang nasod. Setente y uno anyos na ko. Dili nako ni makumpleto tanan. Layo ran a kaayo. Duha o tulo ka bulan pa gane kita, gagubat na gane dayon. Pero wala na ingon ana, uli namo. Mao nang kamo uug naa gane mo ipangayo gikan nako, sa airport nalang daan sagpaa na ninyo dayon. Tinoo, tinood.  Ako mong tugtutan nga mugamit ayaw lang mo pagpusilanay. ‘Sa bagay, gikan man pod hinoon mo sa gawas. Wala man pod moy [mapalusot] nga bala. Pu-put--kan-a nangâ€"leche.

Sabi ko, ‘pag sinabi kong huwag ninyo akong hiyain, mga kasama ko sa gobyerno, huwag ninyo akong hiyain. Do not put me to shame kasi talagang babanatan kita. Maniwala ka. Ay sus, magtanong ka ng taga-Davao. Taga-Davao nung na-eleksyon ako sabi ko, criminals go out of my city because if I find you here, I will kill you. That is a legitimate and valid statement. Sabi ko, mga durugista umalis kayo, ‘pag hindi kayo umalis, papatayin ko kayo. Yung hindi umalis, patay. [laugh] Yung iba, ewan ko karamihan ng problema nila sa Pilipino sa Malaysia. Kasi nandoon yung mga… pati sa Hong Kong. ‘Di naglipatan, edi doon kayo sa ibang lugar. Wag sa Davao City.

Ingon ko, ug ako ganeng isulti nga ayaw ko ninyo pakauwawi, akong mga kauban dinhi sa gobyerno, ayaw ko ninyo pakauwawi. Ayaw ko ibutang sa kaulaw kay bantan an gyud mo nako. Tuhu-i ko. Ay sus, pangutana anang mga taga-Davao. Sa mga taga-Davao atong nidaog ko sa eleksyon niingon ko, “Kamo mga kriminal, pahawa mo sa akong syudad kay kon makita mo nako diri, patyon mo nako.” Lehitimo ug balido na nga pahayag. Ingon ko, “Mga durugista, pahawa mo, kon dili mo muhawa patyon mo nako.” Kadtong wala manghawa, patay. Ang uban, ambot kadaghanan sa problema nila sa Pilipino, sa Malaysia. Kay naa man ngadto ang kadaghanan pati sa Hong Kong. Eh di namalhin, edi adto mo sa laing lugar, ayaw sa siyudad sa Davao.

So, look at Davao City. It was ahead of its time. I was just a… pumuputok pati ung simbahan natin, airport. But because talagang hinawakan ko na medyo magulo pero along the way… ehh it was almost, sabi ko nga during the speech ko, it will be a rough try. Come and join me. Diba sa inaugural speech ko, ang ibig sabihin madugo ‘to. Pero kung… [stutters] Then, stand by my side. Ubusin natin ‘yang bad boys. Kasi ako kasi bad boy noon, nag-graduate naman ko, good boy na ako ngayon. [laugh] Oo.

Busa tan-awa ang Davao City. Gauna na siya sa iyang  panahon. Kuan rako, nangabuto pati ang simbahang ug airport. Apan tungod kay ako gyu’ng gihawiran, medyo gubot pero kadugayan, sa akong giingon sa akong speech, “It will be a rough try.” Dali ug apil kamo. Di bas a akong inaugural speech, pasabot nga madugo ni. Tindog mo kilid ka nako. Hutdon nato ng mga “bad boys”. “Bad boy” man pod ko sa una pero tungod nakagraduate nak, buotan nako karon. Oo.

Oh, ngayon ito ha. Si Sonny Dominguez, kababata ko ‘to, Davao. Since kindergarten, valedictorian yan. Valedictorian. Sa highschool, second year, nasipa ako. Siya patuloy ang valedictorian valedictorian ako napunta ng Digos, Davao Del Sur. Putangina tagal. Took seven years sa high school. Oo palakbay lakbay lang. Sabi ng nanay ko, Rodrigo, teacher yun eh. Wala ka na guy pag asa, 73, 75, sabi ko “ma tama na yan. Basta makaakyat lang parang hagdanan iyan eh.” Kung, hindi ka kailangan mag 95, malayo, mahulog ka pa diyan. Dahandahan lang.
O karon kini ha. Kini si Sonny Dominguez,  kababata ni nako sa Davao. Kindergarten pa lang mi, valedictorian na na siya. Valedictorian. Sa highschool ko nasipa ko adtong 2nd year ko. Siya, padayon lang gihapon nga valedictorian unya ako naabot sa Digos, Davao del Sur. Putangina kadugay kaayo. Pito ka-tuig ko gaskwela’g high school. Oo laag-laag lang. Ingon akong nanay kay maestra man siya,“Rodrigo, wala ka na guy pag-asa; 73,75..” Ingon pod ko nga, “Ma, sakto na na. Basta makasaka lang, mura ra na ug hagdanan. Wala ka gakinahanglan ug 95, layo na kaayo matagak pa lang ka. Hinay-hinay ra dapat.”
My mother [inaudible] really. What sad is hindi niya ako naabutan sana maging presidente. Ah tatay talagang, matagal nang namatay. He left this universe. Talagang walang sabi niya hanggang pantalan. Bisaya yan eh. Iyang, that’s a cliché, idiom in visayan. Pag sinabing hanggang pantalan ka lang ibig sabihin kargador ka lang. Sabi ng tatay ko, “ikaw”. Hindi kami nag ano, when he died hindi masyado magandang relasyon namin. Kaya hindi siya bilib sakin, “kaya ikaw pantalan ka lang”. Sige kargador gusto mo? Sabi ko basta bayaran lang ako sige karga ako. Okay lang man iyan.
Ang ako gyu’ng inahan.  Ang nakapait lang, wa ko naabti niya nga nahimo kong president. Ah, akong akong tatay, dugay ra nga namatay. Iya nang gibiyaan ning maong kalibutan. Iya gyud giingon nga taman ra ko ug pantalan. Sinultihan na sa bisaya, cliché ba. Ug ingnon gani nga taman pantalan ra ka pasabot an ataman ra pod ka pagkakargador. Ingon akong tatay, “ikaw”. Wala mi ga-ayo; pagkamaay niya dili kaayo hapsay ang among relasyon. Mao na nga wa siyay bilib nako: “mao nang ikaw taman ra ka pantalan”. Ingon pod ko nga basta lang bayran ko, mukarga ko. Ok ra man na.
Ah 75, 75. Sino pa? Yasay. Ka roommate ko man to. Ka roommate kami sa law school. UP siya Padre Faura, San Beda ako. O, si Dureza. Doon ako napunta sa High School na nandoon si Dureza. Naabutan ko siya nauna pa siyag graduate sa akin. Hala ka. High School ano ba to. Totoo. Dureza was a valedictorian pag graduate. Puro yan sila valedictorian.
Ah 75,75. Kinsa pa? Yasay. Kauban man nako ni sa kwarto sa law school. UP siya unya sa Padre Faura, San Beda ko. O, Bray. Dureza. Didto ko naabot sa high school pa ko, na naa didto si Dureza. Naabtan nako siya [pero] nauna pa na siya ug graduate kaysa nako. Hala ka. High school, salan man diay ni. Tinood. Valedictorian si Dureza pagraduate [niya]. Puros na sila mga valedictorian.
Ang defense secretary. John Lorenzana. Alam mo hindi ko alam yan. Pastor Quiboloy is from, doon pinanganak Cotabato City. Eh si Delfin naassign noon sa, he brought in the second, one battalion of the scout rangers noon. Davao magulo. Tapos nakilala kami because I was mayor kaya siya noong naghanap pakapa ako, Valedictorian. Alam mo sino nagsabi sa akin? Pastor Quiboloy. Iyan ang valedictorian namin noon. Sa PMA, PMA graduate ito. O puro valedictorian. [Inaudible], good lawyer. Si John Espiron, he’s my adviser sa national security.
Ang defense secretary, si John Lorenzana. Kabalo mo wa ko mahibalo ani niya. Si Pastor Quiboloy kay natawo didto sa Cotabato City. Si Delfin nahibutang sa una, iyahang gidala ang ikaduhang batalyon sa mga scout ranger sa una. Gubot ang Davao. Unya gakaila mi kay mayor man ko unya gakapakapa pa ko ug pangita, unya valedictorian pod ni siya. Kabalo mo kinsa ang gasulti nako? Si Pastor Quiboloy. Siya among valedictorian sa una. Sa PMA ni siya nahuman ug skwela. O, puros valedictorian. [inaudible], maayo nga abogado. Si John Espiron mao ag akonng tagapayo mahitungod sa seguridad pangnasyonal.
Tignan mo. Tignan mo ang buhay. Tignan mo ang buhay. Trabahante ko lahat. Diba? So what’s the… there’s no secret actually. All you have to do maski naka ano ka because, maski naka ano ka you have to have values in life.
Tan-awa. Tan-awa ang kinabuhi. Lantawa ang kinabuhi. Trabahante ta’ng tanan. Di ba? Wala may sikreto gyud. Ang kinahanglan ra buhaton maskin naka kuan naka ka yang paghatag ug bili sa kaligdong sa kinabuhi.
Maski ako ganito lang, sabi nila pumapatay, eh yan ang gusto mo eh. Sinabi ko na ihinto. Eh ginusto mo yan. You have the free choice. Kaya itong mga [inaudible], extra-judicial, I look beyond that. Hindi ako nagsasabi na patayan mo yan si, ating ambassador.
Maskin ingon ani ra ko, muingon sila nga mamamatay, eh mao na inyong gusto man pod. Nisulti na ko nga hunong. Mao na inyong gusto. Aduna moy pwede pilian. Mao ning mga extrajudicial, nilantaw ko lagpas ana. Wala man ko musulti nga patyon na atong ambassador.
Sinabi ko lang, sinabi ko lang, magtrabaho kayo and give me a clean environment. Yan ang order ko kay Bato, yang PNP chief. Ito naman kasing yabang ko, [mocks someone].
Niingon ra ko nga trabaho mo [ug tarong] ug hatagan mo nako ug malimpyo nga gobyerno. Mao a ang akong sugo ni Bato, ang PNP chief. Kini man gud akong pagkahambugero, [naay gibugalbugalan nga tawo].
Tinawagan ko, Bato halika. Gusto mo, gusto mo ba na magtagal ka sa pwesto mo diyan? Sabi “Oo sir. Kasama tayo sir.”. Wag ka masyadong mayabang, unahan mo pang presidente. Tumahimik ka diyan. Wag mo kunin yung istilo hindi mo pa panahon sige pagkatapos ko tumakbo ka back-upan kita. Mananalo iyan. Mag ganon ganon lang yan uli. Pero that time you have to create the problem to react to it because if there is no problem, nothing to react to, so wala ka. That’s the reason why. You have to have a problem and you are the problem solver but you have to create the problem. You do not solve the problem, you do not there is no problem at all. Wala. So ganito lang ang panahon. I’m just reacting kay kung wala yan eh…
Akong gitawagan, “Bato, ali diri. Gusto ba nimo nga magdugay sa imong pwesto diha?” Ingon siya, “Oo, sir. Kauban ta sir.” Sabi ko, “Ayaw palabi sa imong kahambog, unhan pa nimo ang president. Paghilom diha. Ayaw kuhaa ang akong istilo, dili pa nimo panahon. Sige, pagkahuman nako dagan kay back-upan ka nako.” Mudaog na. Magingon adto ran a siya balik. Pero anang panahona kinahanglan maghimo ug problema kay ug wala, walay muhatag sa ilang reaksyon, wala pod ka. Mao na ang rason kung ngano. Kinahanglang naa kay problema ug ikaw ang musulbad sa problema pero ikaw ang mumugna sa problema. Dili nimo sulbaron ang problema o walay problem, wlaa gyud ka. Ingon ani ra ang panahon. Nihatag ra ko sa akong reaksiyon kay [lisod na] kon wala na.
E sabi ko nga, and you have also my word for this. Six years ago. But if they can craft the cab â€" I mean the the, not the cabinet. Yung peace ano natin, nakipagusap ako sa komunista. Nag uusap na tayo ngayon sa Oslo. Dureza is really a jetlagged guy. Paganun ganun yan. Kailan ka dumating? Kahapon. Paganunganon siya. Sabagay, international celebrity ni siya sa EU. Siya yung tinatanggap ng EU. Siya yung taga ano sabi ko “sige. Inyo na yan si Dureza. Marami pa ako dito.”
Nisulti na bitaw ko, ug ako gyung ibutang sa inyong atubangan ang akong pulong. Unom ka tuig na ang milabay. Kung ilahang mahimo ang cab---dili ang gabinete. Ang kalinaw nga kuan nato, nakigstorya ko sa mga komunista. Gaistorya name sa Oslo. Kini si Dureza, jetlagged jud ni siya. Ing-ana ing-ana na siya. “Kailan ka dumating?” “Kahapon.” Ing-ana ing-ana na siya. Hinoon pod, sikat na siya sa EU. Siya man ang dawaton sa EU. Siya ang tagakuan mao nang ingon ko, “sige, inyohon na si Dureza. Daghan pa man pod ko diri.”
Siya yung, he’s handling the PR goodwill, ganun. Eh ako naman buga ng buga because I do not want, eh ganun ako eh. Maski tanungin mo buhay pa naman si presidente Arroyo, sa harap ni Presidente Arroyo noon. Because I was taken in kasi diba ginawa niya akong adviser o consultant doon Public Security.
Siya ang gahawid sa PR, goodwill, ingon ana. Ako pod, sig era ug buga kay di man ko ganahan. Ingon  ana gyud ko. Bisan pa ug pangutan-on nimo, buhi pa man gyud na si Pres. Arroyo, [ingon ana ko] atubangan ni Pres. Arroyo sa una, kay gikuha man ko kay dib a gihimo man ko niya nga adviser o consultant para sa public security.
Pagkanandiyan kami sa loob pinapatawag kami tapos hindi kami nagkaintindihan yung mga General. Nagmumura ako eh. [Inaudible]. Kayo diyan eh. So ganun lang ang bunganga ko but I do, wala akong ano, makisabayan lang ako. Kaya maski anong klaseng argument natin wag lang sana, dapat is an issue of my country. Talagang magkaproblema tayo.
Ug naa gane mi sa sulod, ipatawag mi unya dili mi magkasinabot sa mga heneral. Mamalikas man ko. “Kamo diha,” ingon ana ra ang akong baba pero wala koy kuan, musabay ra ko. Mao nang kung unsa pa nang klaseha sa argument ayaw lang gyud unta, angay nag isyu sa akong nasod. Magkaproblema gyud ta.
Kaya yang drugs, it is not really an issue of drugs. It is the survival of the next generation. Kasi kung puro may tama yan lahat, it starts with the family. Magsiseparate talaga. Prangkahan kita ha. Ay ano pala yan. Putulin ninyo yan para hindi mag abot ng Pilipinas. Di wag nalang mapapasubo pa ako. Di it’s okay.
Mao nang drogas, dili gyud na mao ang isyu mismo kundi ang pagtunhay sa sunod nga henerasyon. Kay ug puros naay tama na tanan, magsugod na sa pamilya. Magbulag jud. Prangkahan tika. Ay kuan diay a, putla na ninyo aron dili na muabot sa Pilipinas. Mahagit pa ko ana. Dili, ok ra na.
Yung ang pamilya talaga sasabog. It starts with the family dysfunctional. Then ang anak mo problema na magnakaw na, that starts with the family. Ipagbili yung mga kotse ninyo. Hanggang wala na. And one year, two years use of shabu. Sabi nga ng Amerikano, sila man ang nagsabi, will shrink the brain of a human being.

Press Statement of Senator Bongbong Marcos on the SC extension of the SQA on the Marcos burial at LNMB

We have been patient for 23 years, we can be patient for a few days more.

Let us give our Honorable Justices of the Supreme Court the time they need to study this case. I am confident that they will ultimately agree to let my father be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani because it is in accordance with law.

We would like to thank all those who took part in the march and those present today to express their support for our family.

When I ran for office in the last elections, i ran under a platform of unity and this show of support for the burial of my father at the Libingan ng mga Bayani is a continuation of that campaign for unity.

We also would like to thank again President Rodrigo Duterte for continuing to support this unifying and healing effort to bury my father at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Filipino Version

Naghintay kami ng dalawampu’t tatlong (23) taon at palagay ko naman ay kung ilang araw lamang ay makakapaghintay pa kami.

Hayaan natin ang ating mga kagalang-galang na Hukom sa Korte Suprema na mas pag-aralang pang mabuti ang kaso at ako ay umaasa na sa kahuli-hulian ay sasang-ayon sila na dapat ngang ilibing ang aking ama sa Libingan ng mga Bayani dahil ito ay naaayon sa batas.

Gusto ko rin pasalamatan ang lahat ng sumama sa martsa at pagtitipon upang iparinig at iparamdam ang suporta sa aming pamilya.

Nang tumakbo ako bilang kandidato ng nakaraang kampanya, ang ipinaglaban natin ay ang pagkakaisa. At ito ay pagpapatuloy ng kampanyang pagkakaisa sa pamamagitan ng paglibing sa aking ama sa Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Gusto ko rin pasalamatan si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa kanyang inisyatibong ilibing ang aking ama bilang simbolo ng pagkakaisa at paghilom.

I'm a 19-year-old studying at Duke University. I'm the same age that my mom was when she made the sacrifice to drop out of college to care for me and my siblings, so that we could have a shot at a better life than she had.

I was born to an alcoholic father and a teenage mother in a rough neighborhood in South Carolina. Growing up in our three-bedroom trailer, I knew that success wasn’t going to come easy for me.

But I had the support of my mom and stepdad, who both worked over 60 hours a week in their manufacturing jobs to save for our education. During the summers while they were at work, they took us to read books at the public library, instilling in us a love for learning.

I also had the encouragement of my elementary school teachers, who looked past the color of my skin and endured my "problem child" attitude because they saw that I had potential and could excel in our school's gifted programs. And when it came time to apply to college, I had high school teachers who encouraged me to reach for my dream schools.

For me and so many students like me, graduating from high school is a full-circle moment. It’s a manifestation of the unflinching sacrifice that my parents made to get me there. And it’s an affirmation of the American idea that if you work hard and play by the rules, you can build a future better than the conditions you were born into.

That’s why I’m proud to help announce that, under President Obama, more students are graduating high school than ever before -- reaching a record new high of 83 percent.

The truth is, my generation has seen things steadily get better the last eight years. Under President Obama, the graduation rate has gone up for all types of students, and the graduation gap is closing for students of color, low-income students, and students with disabilities. College is more accessible for so many thanks to increased Pell Grants and easier ways to apply for federal financial aid through FAFSA. With the help of financial aid, I’m able to study at a top-tier school without worrying about its costs.

I know that it’s only through the promise of education that my story is possible. That’s why I plan to devote my career to public service so I can work to keep improving our education system. And that’s why I'm so proud to have a president who believes that if we work together, we can ensure that same promise for every kid, no matter who they are or where they come from.

So I hope you’ll join in celebrating all the progress we’ve made for students like me by tuning in to President Obama’s remarks today at 11:25 am ET.

Thanks for listening,

Trey

Hanging on a wall outside the Oval Office, there’s a framed letter from a woman named Natoma Canfield.

For years, Natoma did everything right. She bought health insurance and paid her premiums on time. But one day, the fear of so many became her reality: She was diagnosed with cancer. She fought for her health and had been living cancer-free for some time, but her insurance company kept raising her insurance rates, year after year. She needed the coverage, but she couldn't afford it. So she had to surrender her health plan and live merely on the hope that she would stay healthy.

She shared her story in a letter to President Obama in 2009. In the following year, during the heated political fight to pass the health care law, President Obama carried Natoma’s letter with him every day as a reminder that health care reform would help change the lives of millions of people who were clinging to hope.

President Obama will be talking about people like Natoma today in Miami at 1:55 pm ET: the brothers and sisters, moms and dads, and sons and daughters across America whose lives have been improved, and even saved, because we worked together to pass and implement the Affordable Care Act.

After more than six years of this landmark law, let’s look back at the progress we’ve made:

Twenty million Americans have gained health coverage -- not counting the 3 million more children gaining coverage during this period of time. More than 90 percent of Americans have health insurance for the first time ever. Up to 129 million people who could have otherwise been denied insurance because of a preexisting condition now have access to coverage -- even as we have seen the slowest growth in health care prices in 50 years. And, the quality, coordination, and effectiveness of the health care we receive has improved.

Just last year, Natoma wrote another letter. She thanked the President for the Affordable Care Act and told him that she’s remained cancer-free. Her note now joins a collection of letters to the President from people who have been helped by the law. People like Astrid from North Carolina, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor and was able to get the surgery she needed. Or Ann Marie from Connecticut who was able to detect an early stage of breast cancer thanks to better preventive care.

You can read these letters and more right here.

As someone who has worked alongside the President, I can tell you that these are the letters that inspired him to put so much work into making health care reform a reality.

So read these letters -- and tune in today to hear how far we’ve come since we passed the Affordable Care Act, and what more is needed to further improve the health of the nation.

Thanks,

Jeanne

Jeanne Lambrew
Deputy Assistant to the President for Health Policy
The White House