Philippines: Are there some porkies or not?

One of the leading causes of obesity is the misbelief that, when it comes to juice, ‘100%’ means ‘sugar-free.”Mokokoma Mokhonoana

In the Philippines, there been a long tradition of Pork Barrel or specific payout for government projects for Representatives in the Lower House, the House of Representatives and the senators in the Senate. Because this week has been hectic in touch with tradition. There are back and fourth. There is no end in sight for this rodeo. I will show pieces of it, because, I cannot make sense of it.

If there is, then there is, if its not, its not. However, after the recent week action in the headlines and following the wires. I got nothing. Because, even I am unsure. It is hard to know if there is Pork Barrel within the ratified Budget for 2019, which was ratified on Friday on the 8th February 2019.

Let me show some statements that isn’t coherent, reporting that is not backing each other. From various of sources. Since I feel this is important, because there is lack of consistent messaging, therefore, the truth might surface later. However this is what I have by today.

GMA Reported: “Senators took exception to allegations by House appropriations chairman Rolando Andaya Jr. that they will get P3 billion each in pork allocation in the 2019 budget. Senate President Vicente Sotto III, in a text message, said the accusation of P3 billion per senator as pork “is a slur against the Senate.”” (Amita Legaspi – ‘ No P3-B pork in 2019 budget, senators insist’ (08.02.2019) link: https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/684334/no-p3-b-pork-in-2019-budget-senators-insist/story/).

CNN Philippines Reported: “He was referring to the funds that current House committee on appropriations chair Rolando Andaya said were illegal insertions made by Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno — a charge Diokno has repeatedly denied. Lacson said that around P51 billion of the controversial P75 billion funds have been distributed to all members of the House of Representatives in P20 million chunks. “Of this amount, 20 billion pesos was distributed equally among the almost 300 congressmen, which translates into P60 million per congressman plus additional allocations to those close to the leadership of the House of Representatives. These are all embodied in the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) or the House version transmitted to the Senate,” Lacson said” (CNN Philippines Staff – ‘Lacson: New House leadership continued pork barrel mess’ 08.02.2019, link: http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/02/08/lacson-andaya-arroyo-pork-barrel-2019-budget.html).

Manilla Standard Reporting: “In total, the Senate proposed some P25.4 billion in adjustments while the House introduced P20.65 billion in realignments or a total of P46.35 billion under the DPWH where legislators can identify specific projects. Andaya confirmed that each congressman will get P160 million in itemized projects” (Maricel Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta – ‘Congress approves budget’ 09.02.2019, link: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/mobile/article/287358).

Sen. Franklin M. Drilon Press Release: “The minority leader also denied reports that senators will get P3 billion in pork allocation, including a province in the Visayas getting more than P3 billion. He called the allegation “grossly unfair”” (Franklin M. Drilon – ‘Drilon says no to 2019 national budget’ 08.02.2019, link:http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2019/0208_drilon1.asp).

Sen. Leila M. de Lima Press Release: “Kudos to my colleagues in the Minority bloc – Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senators Bam Aquino, Risa Hontiveros and Kiko Pangilinan – and, of course, to Sen. Ping Lacson, for their rejection of the pork-laden 2019 budget” (Sen. Leila M. de Lima – ‘Sen. Leila M. de Lima on her colleagues’ rejection of the pork-laden 2019 budget’ 09.02.2019, link: http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2019/0209_delima3.asp).

We are clearly seeing mixed messages, but both sides of this. Where the allocated funds are seen as differently. Therefore, we will see if these allocated funds are for the Pork Barrel or not. Since, the various explanation for these funds are really special. They are showing something and how to interpret the budget itself.

If one side is lying, than they are receiving funds and telling porkies. I am not sure, because if it is, they have tried to be sophisticated, but somewhere the funds leaked out. Someone spoke out and then the ones loyal to the President and the Government calling it “offensive”. Which makes it all weird. Since, why should people lie about special pay-outs, wouldn’t that be a happy-day to see your bank-account to be pregnant?

The Pork Barrels are there maybe or maybe not. By this report and these statements, it could be anything. Certainly porky porkies and even slices of pork chop from those Pork Barrels. Peace.

The Philippines Association of Social Workers, Inc, strongly disagree to lowering the Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility to 12 or 9 years old, PASWI firmly in the strengthening and full implementation of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (RA 9344) – (17.01.2019)

Philippines: Department of Foreign Affairs – Documentary Requirements for the Renewal of Regular Passports (15.01.2019)

My letter to President Duterte: What about showing Christians some grace?

1st January 2019, Oslo

Dear Sir, His Excellency, President Rodrigo Duterte!

I am writing you again, as you have a re-ignited issue.

This is something you repeat, but changes the angles. You might not looking directly into the mirror, but surely your nearly seeing the same thing. Again and again.

I don’t know how Christians has hit your pride, Mr. President. Certainly, they have hit your honour and devalued your name. As your blasting the faith in God, the Trinity and everything else within the religion. Your attacking the bishops and the priests. Surely, all of them is not Noble people, who have honour or even should be teachers and shepherds of the people. However, this still happens to be there and need further guidance themselves.

What I don’t like is how you mock God, how you are speaking ill of the Trinity and of the Holy. As man in a Catholic Nation. There are so many who looks up to the Catholic Church and Faith. You should respect this and be part of it. Not talk crap about it. Their God is the guiding star, before you got in power and when you leave power.

God will be there before you entered into power and when you leaves power. He is eternal, we two are just mere mortal. We have to accept this and therefore, you should respect the deities and the holiness, which we cannot all understand. There is deeper profound things in the holiness of God and the principals that the Bible is telling about. Which we as men, cannot have the full understanding off. That is why it is insensitive of you to mock it and joke about it. Your the Commander-In-Chief, the President and the man with the highest office of the Republic.

I understand, that you don’t like being questioned by Bishops and other Christian Leaders, who are asking of you another path. They want you to be accountable and asks for other ways to lead the public. I understand, that you disagree with them, that you don’t accept their message and they themselves needs to clean their house. There are ills within the Church, there are deceiving people within the Church. We know this and these people have to addressed, by their actions and not shielded because it is Church.

However, as I state that. That doesn’t mean, you as President. Has the right to assault and mock the Divine, the Holy and the Eternal. The spirits and the powerful transcendent forces that touches planet earth. Which is so big and enormous, that mere mortals struggles with expressing their powers.

Duterte, I am not asking you to be a man of faith, I am asking you to be a man, who respect other people’s faith. As a man, who see what so many people believes in and show them justice. Not tricking around it and blasting it.

It is time that you show them some mercy and also some humility. You don’t want people to talk about you the way, you talk about their religion? Do you want me to talk crap about you, the way you speak ill of my believes?

Nah, you don’t want that. We all know that. Time for you to man up and show some grace.

Best Regards

Writer of Minbane

Philippines: President Duterte – New Years Message (01.01.2019)

Philippines: President Rodrigo Duterte – Christmas Message (25.12.2018)

Philippines: Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 148 has junked the Department of Justice’s (DoJ) appeal to dismiss its request to order Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th’s arrest. (22.11.2018)

Philippines: Are we seeing a slow Chinese takeover?

Certainly, the massive loans given to the “Build! Build! Build” are starting to cost. As the big infrastructure projects and other loans are taking their toll on the economy. Therefore, the Philippines and President Rodrigo Duterte are trying to collect something. It seems like the Chinese counterparts are getting lots of collateral and salvage the spent funds in Philippines. Because, as the weeks goes by and the ASEAN friends, the one with the upper-hand is China.

This is surely not how Duterte want it too look, as they are having a bargain. There has already been putting into question the control of Benham Rise and the hard-won control of the island there. Still, the Republic haven’t fought with tooth and nail to get it back. This week, it seems like there are more installations on it. The sovereign Philippines are being toyed with by China. They are being fooled and has to accept deals, because of the loans to Beijing. Manila is indebted and has to give concessions. Why else, would this week be filled with new Chinese interference and getting licenses in the Philippines?

Weather Station Controversy:

“It is currently coordinating with concerned government agencies, as well as with the Philippine Embassy in Beijing to verify the existence or non-existence of these alleged facilities,” he said. Panelo earlier addressed this concern on Monday saying Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin jr. will “do his job” once the reports have been verified. China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang announced on November 1 that Beijing has already begun operating weather stations on the artificial islands in South China Sea. “These projects are designed to observe the maritime, hydrological, meteorological conditions and air qualities, and provide such services as maritime warning and forecast, tsunami alert, weather forecast, air quality forecast, and disaster prevention and relief,” Lu Kang said in a press conference” (Janine Peralta – ‘Philippines to take action if Chinese weather stations in South China Sea are verified — Palace’ 06.11.2018 link: http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/11/06/ph-china-south-china-sea-panelo.html).

Oil Fields:

One of the projects included an exploration between state-owned Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) and Chinese state-owned CNOOC Ltd., located off Calamian in southwestern Palawan province, Cusi told Manila Bulletin in a news briefing. Cusi was referring to Service Contract 57 which covers an oil and gas project awarded to PNOC’s exploration unit, and picked CNOOC as a partner. Cusi did not share details for Service Contract 72, an exploration permit held by the Philippines’ PXP Energy Corp. for Reed Bank, but clarified that the Reed Bank, another disputed South China Sea area, is not of the two” (Meanne Rosales – ‘ PH to seal 2 exploration deals with China’ 09.11.2018, link: https://powerphilippines.com/2018/11/09/ph-seal-2-exploration-deals-china/)

Chinese Telecommunication as the Third Telco:

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has lauded the entry of China Telecommunications Corp., or China Telecom, in his country’s telecommunication industry, saying the Philippines stands to benefit from the “good competition” that a Chinese company will bring to the industry” (…) “Duterte said that China “has proved to be of very incredibly high quality of electronics.” “(Xinhuanet – ‘Duterte welcomes China Telecom’s operating in Philippines’ 08.11.2018).

As we see, the sudden Benham Rise in the South China Sea and the will of China to takeover the place, while the Malacañang are preoccupied with sneering at priests, Rappler and who else who hurt their pride. They are not seeing or looking away from the sovereign implications on Benham Rise. As there are talks already of military installations, but now also monitoring equipment and a weather station. Clearly, the Chinese sees it as their land, while the PH are busy trying to find out what is happening there.

Than, you have the oil-fields in the same region, where the Chinese National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC) have gotten licenses to drill oil there. Clearly, this is all intentional, as well as they are the lucky third Telecommunication Company and getting into the Cellphone business too. This is just fitting as a glove. They are both getting territory in the South China Sea, they are getting exploitation opportunities and steady profits through a cell-phone carrier. All this they have gotten for dropping some loans, that is hard for the Philippines to repay in cash.

That is why they are allowed to get these things, as collateral for the debt. This is a game the Chinese plays well. That is why this is all happening. We have seen similar efforts done in Sri Lanka. That will surely happen in the Philippines too. As the Chinese is not forgiving with their loans. They want points on the dollar. Not loose money and certainly not lose face on the investments made. Peace.

Philippines: Executive Order No. 65 – Promulgating the Eleventh Regular Foreign Investment Negative List (29.10.2018)

President Duterte: If you let the AFP run the BOC, maybe while you at it; Let them run the PPA, CAAP and PHILPOST too!

Today, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte announced that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will replace and take charge of the Bureau of Customs. That is an added extension of the army and secondly, also of the use of soldiers. Then, they are not there anymore just to add safety of the sovereign borders and create peace in the land. But scan and secure all passengers and goods passing into the Republic.

Isn’t that a bit extensive for the armed forces? Meaning, the army needs brigades for all Border Posts and every where the Bureau of Customs (BOC) is operating. They have to add much more trained man-power and this is excessive use of the army. The AFP should clearly focus on other tasks, than check what sort of goods that is coming into the Philippines. This is a foolish move by the President.

Take a look!

ABS-CBN News reported this earlier today:

“They will be replaced, all of them, by military men. It will be a takeover of the Armed Forces in the matter of operating, in the meantime, while we are sorting out how to effectively meet the challenges of corruption in this country,” Duterte said” (…) “”I want to put on notice everybody in the Bureau of Customs, they are all in floating status. Maybe start again working, but I said, they are all floating status,” he said in a speech during the thanksgiving dinner of former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano in Davao City. “The Customs intelligence unit, they are to report to Malacañang, all of them. I’m ordering everybody to report to my office. Maybe I’ll issue the memorandum. They will hold office there at the Malacañang Gymnasium. Lahat,” Duterte added” (ABS-CBN News – ‘Duterte temporarily puts Bureau of Customs under military control’ 29.10.2018, link: https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/10/29/18/duterte-temporarily-puts-bureau-of-customs-under-military-control).

If he takes away the trained personnel for a soldier, he is clearly forgetting the task at hand and the long time it takes to know the trademarks of counterfeit goods and also drug-smuggling, which both is sophisticated industries. Where the men and cartels behind it uses all methods to pass through the check-points, the border-points and get through the Customs search. This is well-known and the ones working has to be vigilant and see for the signs to find the culprits bringing the illegal goods across the borders.

Soldiers are trained for a whole different operations and operative in a different way, than the Customs Units. That is evident and doesn’t need rocket-science to understand. It is vile attempt of control and this will not eradicate the imports of illegal substances and drugs. As they will finds way to trick these soldiers and methods, which are to smart for these soldiers whose used in shooting guns. Not questioning paperwork, licenses and if a kids-toys or lipsticks are filled with cocaine.

Secondly, if the President really does this to the BOC. Should we anticipate the soldiers also to takeover the Philippines Ports Authority (PPA). Since they already are running the Customs, wouldn’t it be more significant and more likely take all drug-dealers if they have the whole ports under siege in the Republic? To ensure the imports to the airports, shouldn’t soldiers also run the The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)? While they are at it, shouldn’t they also have soldiers running the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHILPOST)?

Because, by that time, they have control of the Customs, the Ports, the Airports and the Post by soldiers, shouldn’t that stop it all from coming to the shores. As you cannot trust civil servants or experts to do their jobs. All are corruptible and the only ones that cease to be following codes are the soldiers. I know I am taking it far, but isn’t it a bit far-fetched and worrying if you needs soldiers who is trained to kill, to check if it is Menthos or a spliff passing by at the Customs at Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport?

Since you cannot trust the BOC, maybe you cannot trust the management of the ports, the airports, the post or even the Barangay Captain who just happens to pick up a package sent to his uncle. Who knows, right?

Peace.