BTOB Philippines: Statement of Support for the Presidential and Vice Presidential bid of the Incumbent Vice President Leonor “Leni” Gerona Robredo and Incumbent Senator Frances “Kiko” Pangilinan (27.04.2022)

Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP): Expose AFP units campaigning for Marcos-Duterte tandem (27.04.2022)

Philippines: National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) – Power and authority should not be weaponized against the people (25.04.2022)

Philippines: National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) – NAMFREL welcomes the new COMELEC Chairman and Commissioners as it urges more transparency in the 2022 elections (10.03.2022)

Halalan 2022: The 5 senatorial candidates I hope get elected [right now]

In the up-coming election it is 12 seats up for grabs and the 12 who gets the most votes in the Republic becomes a senator. That will be a hard race, as it is over 120 candidates. Therefore, I will not look into all of them. In this list, I will look into the ones who I hope for.

The first one I hope gets to return to the Senate is Antonio Fuentes Trillanes IV of the Liberal Party. He has been a voice of reason. What is striking is that he has dared to challenge Duterte and the ones in power. Even when everything around was burning. When the state was starting to look into his past and the mutiny he was participating in.Trillanes can again regain his seat in the Senate and possibly challenge the tasks ahead. His not afraid or lacking the character to be there. That’s why I hope he returns there .

The second one I hope gets in is Elmer Labog “Bong”, the Chairperson of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (May First Movement). Who runs on the first ticket for Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan (Makabayan). We know he has fought the fight for the rights of workers and hope he will continue to do that in the Senate. Just like he stated last year about the 13^th Month Pay: ““This is our triumph for being one in letting our voices be heard. Despite the attempt to ignore our rights, we fought for our 13th-month pay. Mabuhay ang mga manggagawa! (Long live the workers!)” Elmer Labog, chairperson of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said in a statement” (Ferdinand Patinio – ‘DOLE move to enforce 13th-month pay law, a ‘victory’ for workers’ 15.10.2020, Philippine News Agency). So, I hope he does the same and never forget this fight.

The third one I hope gets a senate seat is Jejomar Binay “Jojo”, the former Vice-President. Yes, his ageing, but his experience and knowledge of law would be refreshing. He served for 21 years as the Makati Mayor. This campaign his part of alliance with “Tito” Sotto and “Ping” Lacson. It would be interesting to see his return. Clearly, the whole ticket is filled with experience from President, VP to the Senate.

The fourth one I hope gets a senate is Nelson Ancajas “Dodong”, a street-vendor who has lost a child early, because he couldn’t afford health-care and is afraid to lose second child. On the stage when he was a certified candidate. He said: “As a parent, I will do everything for my child. I am an ordinary Filipino who wants my child to live. I can’t expect anything from this government. I am hardworking, diligent, and finished school. But it’s still difficult to rise from poverty” (October 2021). A man that seen this and felt the pain of losing his own. He will be strong and able to fight for other in the situation. Better than anyone who only reads about those things in a statistic or a book. He knows the plights of the streets and the hardships of life. That’s why I hope a guy like him gets a chance. Though he doesn’t have a name or recognition. Therefore, most likely he will not succeed.

The fifth on I hope gets into the senate is Greco Antonious Beda Banta Belgica or Greco Belgica. His senatorial ticket is for Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS). Since 2018 he was appointed as Commissioner of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) under the Office of the President of the Philippines. Some has called him a loose cannon and such. However, he has been effective and campaigns has worked. It is not perfect, but neither is the system has been operating in. This is a man with time and ability ahead of him. That’s why I hope for candidates like him.

These was my first 5 picks of the over 120 candidates to pick from. There is a lot of legacy tickets, dynasties sending their senators, which are more likely to get in. As it is a costly enterprise to run for the Senate. Still, some of the other has to have a shot. Time will tell, if any of these will get there. The only one that has a real shot here is Trillanes. Peace.

Philippines: Senate President Vicente Sotto III signs the PHP3.757-trillion General Appropriations Bill for 2019 before its transmitted to President Duterte for review and signing (26.03.2019)

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 8^th 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.

White House: Memorandum for Matthew Georgs Whitaker (08.11.2018)

Post AG Jeff Sessions firing: Democratic House Representative retention letters to FBI, DOJ, DNI, NSA, CIA, IRS, Treasury, White House, SDNY, AUSA & Whitaker (07.11.2018)

Letter To Whitaker:

Letter to Pat Cipollone:

Letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray:

Letter to DNI Coats:

Letter to CIA Director Gina Haspel:

Letter to SDNY:

Letter to Stephen Mnuchin:

Letter to NSA Director Paul Nakasone:

Letter to IRS Commissioner Rettig:

 

Opinion: After the resignation of Sessions suddenly worried about Special Counsel Mueller’s Investigation!

Today, came yet another blow to the Department of Justice, as the President Donald J. Trump got his wish. He got rid of Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Even if that is victory for something, that one of the unfavorable West Wing goons left the White House. Still, there are lingering problems on the horizon, that cannot be escaped at first.

First the successor, which seems not to be the Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who is the man in-charge of the Special Counsel Robert Mueller and the man who gave him the opportunity to investigate in the first place. The successor, unless he or she recuses themselves, could interfere in funding and in collection of evidence gathering. Yet another level of tampering with the investigation.

Just like the President has done with firing Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Coomey, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara and so on. The massive amounts of firing and tampering of evidence is a clear message from the President. He has long pushed the Attorney General Sessions. And today, the day after the Midterms, he unleash another salvo against the state.

There is nothing normal about this presidency, as there are several of the Trump Campaign Team of 2016, who has started to work together with Special Counsel, as they have pleaded guilty and gotten a plea agreement. Others has already started to serve time. There are Michael Flynn, Alexander Van Der Zwaan, George Papadopolous, Michael Cohen, Rick Gates, Samuel Patten, and Paul Manafort. That is just in the near sphere of the President.

This is not following the leads, as there been talks of grand jury of Roger Stone. Other wondering, when they are appearing to met with the Mueller. As there family members, as there Russian indicted and other people connected who is part of the case.

Therefore, with the knowledge from all these people, who have all been in close range of the President and within his sphere. There are a lot of evidence and gathering of intelligence, that could build a strong case against anyone. As the Special Counsel are collecting and building a case against the big-fish. That is why he has accepted plea agreements and going up the food-chain.

That is why today’s action is a sad one. That AG Sessions resigned or fired. Is a worrying sign, if the Republicans care, they would warn this and ensure the investigation continues. Nevertheless, but they have been spineless in actions towards the President. While we have to wait and see what this will do to Rod Rosenstein and his office as the Deputy. If the President dares to fire him, who resides over the Investigation.

Today, is not a good sign of the further implicated investigation, who is still going. As the President are trying to spite fear and also acts more reckless. Peace.