Islamic State: ISIS a growing threat to US

It is more fun criticizing

ISIS used to be Al Qaeda.



All About ISIS

We learn many interesting news about ISIS:

1.  They are fighting Syrian army and decapitating Syrian army (friends of the best if they are anti Pres Assad)

2. Anti Iraq govt;  it practically brought down the Iraqi govt to its knees and had to ask US intervention;

3.  Was rumored to be about to slaughter Christians in Iraq;

The allies, not the President want term extension?

It is more fun criticizing

Rizal, Philippines  |  August 28, 2014


From Rappler - Fr. Bernas warns vs term extension



After Fr Joaquin Bernas, a constitutional lawyer, one of the authors of 1987 constitution, former dean of Ateneo Law School, cautions Pres Pnoy on term extension, one begins to wonder, how a man of high integrity would meddle with a constitutional provision.

One can only speculate that it is his political allies, and his subalterns who want to enjoy the hay while they can, are behind this move.

Adamance of a LGU MM local chief on port congestion problem shows limits of capacity to govern

It is more fun criticizing

Rizal  Philippines | August 28, 2014

Repost from Remate - Truck Bank in Manila continues



Right after the Senate hearing to solve port congestion, a local chief executive shows his adamance not to cooperate and not to think through the priorities and the problem at hand.  That he used to be a top honcho of the country but was impeached, simply shows that his removal from the office before shows his lack of capacity to govern the nation.  He could not understand that let the Ports be decongested for 3 months and then let the truck ban continue.

Port Congestion adds to costs of goods, harms the consumer and the country in general.  It affects the country's trade and backlogs pile up of imports pile up in foreign ports.   Agri products rot in the pier, hence we saw the rise in cost of onions by as much as 3x.  Trucking has also risen by that much....

Charges of corruption in financial district is endemic among all LGUs nationawide?

It is more fun criticizing

Rizal   Philippines   | August 27, 2014

Repost from Rappler  (could Rappler get into trouble?)


Rambo to another Rambo

Is it not really a demolition job by Sen Trillanes?  Or is it war.?  On top of the alleged P2 billion  over pricing of govt building construction, Sen Trillanes urges businessmen to speak up regarding the long standing rumors that the City Hall officials grant permits in exchange for condo units (I have heard even a floor for multi stores for condo units)  Of course this is not unique to Makati - go anywhere QC, Mandaluyong, Pasig etc.  it is the same.  It is not tuwid na daan for everyone.

This is an eye opener regarding:

1.  difficulty of doing business in the Phil as what the World Bank reports;

Office Pres Pnoy, VP Binay drawing serious heavy fire from detractors - one involving plunder, one an impeachable offense

It is more fun criticizing

Rizal, Philippines   | August 26, 2014


From GMA news;  the vote was 53-1-1

Right after the celebration of National Heroes day, we seem to be having National Villains day.  No less than the Office of the President Pnoy and Vice President Jejomar Binay seem to be under heavy fire and  and are in hot waters.  

The committee on justice in the House voted that there is substance in form and content in the impeachment complaint filed vs Pres Pnoy at the House despite vigorous objections from LP allies in the house

From GMA network news - house committee finds  3 impeachment complaint sufficient in form. The committee is headed by Cong Neil Tupas, an LP ally of the president

Heroism is not for dead heroes only

It is more fun criticizing

Rizal  Philippines  |  August 26, 2014



Yesterday we celebrated the National Heroes Day. It was to be noted for dead heroes.  The late renegade Gen Patton of WW II, one of the winningest general in Europe once said - "It is foolish to die fighting for your country;  you have to kill the damn bastards."  Or that we must honor more the man who lived and came back.

Should we honor more the dead heroes?  Isnt it a lost cause?  Or we should honor those who are alive and who patiently fight the day to day battles.

Or yesterday's heroes, but today's villains?  Our ideas and concepts of heroes change overnight.  Popularity and plurality counts as to who will be heroes.

Take for example Gen J Palparan.  He was considered a hero during GMA time in counter insurgency campaign.  Now he is a criminal.

We should focus more on living heroes. Men and women, teachers, laborers who faithfullly do their jobs to get this nation moving forward.  The dead heroes should not die in vain in the dead of the night, but inspire us to work together as a nation, to be better and more properous

PDAF, DAP, pork barrel, like jueteng will not end unless mindsets and our values change

It is more fun criticizing

Rizal  Philippines  |  August 26, 2014

Read article at Pinoy Weekly



There were rallies and signature campaigns to make all forms of pork barrel illegal.  It is like stopping a dam leak by sticking a finger in the hole, or repealing the law of supply and demand.  We cant stop the pork barrel just like jueteng.

Jueteng is functional and it stays there because it has a social function.  It is the source of the social amelioration fund of the LGU.  Without the jueteng, the local executives will not be able to cope up with the dozens or even more who line up the house and their office to ask for food money, to buy tickets, sponsor this and that. The salary of the mayor will be insufficient to fund all of these..

Unfortunate death at Bulacan State U - result of force majure?

It is more fun criticizing

Rizal Philippines  |  August 26, 2014

From Summit Express



The officials, especially those who planned the outing at BSU are under fire for having been responsible for the adventure tour of BSU students.  But we can only judge this to be caused by a flash flood, which is beyond the control of the officials.  I was a mountaineer.  And I know that the flash floods have caused more deaths for trekkers and mountaineers than accidents, falls, or other causes.  You cross a river, or in a river bank and suddenly the river's level has risen by two meters and its all over you.

"According to reports, students planned to hike at Mt. Manalmom. However, they were advised not to go on because of the flood spawned by the downpour."  So they proceeded against advice?  Who is to be blamed?

Of course, the safety measures, whether life vests were provided (who would have anticipated that you need life vest in a ankle deep water) are to be investigated.  And whether waivers were signed by students (as is the usual case) as to absolve the organizers of liability in case of events like this.

We condole with the family of the deceased.   But God takes away precious ones he likes.  We do not know the hour and time of the day. And it so happened it was during an outing.

Let us pray for their souls.

Lazy Visayans are mostly the criminals in Luzon and MM? A Visayan passenger says so

It is more fun criticizing

Rizal Philippines I  August 25, 2014

Last Tuesday, I commuted and it was day after an alleged BIR employee was held up and shot in front of Total Station in EDSA besides VRP.  The dried caked up blood was still there (good for Goto?) and a passenger said aloud, a lady passenger that the culprits were possibly Visayans. Most of the criminals she said are Visayans, though how embarrassing it may be because she is a Visayan too, But that is true.  Most of Visayans who come to Manila and Luzon are ambitious want to have good life, but are too lazy to work for it.  So they resort to crimes.

So what do we do? We have Visayan migrant ban?   The Bangsamoro are right in their move. They would have to have embassy in Manila and the folks from MIndanao would have to obtain passport and visa before coming to Luzon.  Hmmmp.

Africans, Africa, American Africans are always in the news

It is more fun criticizing

Rizal Philippines.  I  August 25, 2014

Who are in the news lately?  If you note they are mostly Africans:

1.  Pres Barack Obama, an American African featured frequently because of his seeming disconnect to the country's problem as well as that of the world:   ISIS beheading of an American journalist, the Iraq ISIS threat, the border problem, the Missouri Negro Uprising. UKraine.  Ebola, etc.He continued to play golf. while his country and the rest of the world were not on vacation

2.  Militia take over of the Tripoli Airport in Libya.

3. Famine in Somalia (involving about 2 million)

4. Ebola in West Africa.

5.  Ferguson riots (those who are protesting are blacks mostly African Americans.

6.  Egypt brokering of peace between Israel and Hamas

Mr President and the dynasties, listen to the advice of Everest Climbers, going down is a must!

It is more fun criticizing

Rizal Philippines  I  August 25, 2014

Great National Heroes Day today in the Phil it is a holiday.

For several days, the interview with former President Fidel V. Ramos was featured in ANC.   And one the conversations that stand out, in reference to the term extension of Pres Pnoy.  He cited what the first Everest Climber said to then President Gloria M. Arroyo.

"Going up is an option.  But going down is a must.  You cant stay at the top forever because of unforgiving conditions at the top."  The high winds, lack of food and oxygen, storms, blinding blizzards accidents, can do you in.

Pres Pnoy and those who cant stay away from the offices (the family dynasties)  going down is a must.  Need we say more?

The Golden Rule- he who has the gold rules

It is more fun criticizing

Rizal  Philippines   I  August 25, 2014

There was an interview yesterday amongst scholars at Middle East as to why there is now closer cooperation between Egypt and Israel.  One theory put forward is Egypt's dependence on US aid especially on military hardware.  Thus Egypt's official has to be in good relations with US and of course Israel who has many allies in the US Congress. If Egypt and and Israel would again go to war, the aid to Egypt would dry up.  Hence, Egypt is brokering the Hamas Israel peace talks.

Let us observe also the activists in the Philippine Congress (the left leaning party lists).  In the beginning they are very idealistic and angry.  But later on they become pro administration.  Why?  If they dont they do not get any appropiated funds from DBM.  If they do get, they are very much delayed.  Thus, the Golden Rule applies always.  HE WHO HAS THE GOLD (purse strings) RULES

MRT train derails at Taft Station yesterday August 14, 2014

It is more fun criticizing

Rizal  Philippines   | August 15, 2014

Repost from Inquirer News August 14, 2014


The train overshoots the end of the line


An MRT 3 train derails - it overshoot the concrete barrier end of the terminal.  A cab was pushed by another train (it must have been uncoupled, or does not have brakes) It was pushed from the Magallanes station.  Since the cab had no brakes (or may be uncoupled), it free wheeled and went wayward (loss of control)

Certain safety and operational concerns  are being raised over the MRT 3 operations due to:

1.  Congestion  - it runs well past of its daily capacity of 300,000.  Estimates of passenger carried per day is at 500,000.

2.  Maintenance

3.  Shake up of management.  Its GM was sacked in May for COI on a maintenance contract.

I would say that there was lack of safety procedures when the cab was pushed.

The MRT i one of the best things that ever happened in mass transportation in MM, Philippines.  It is fast, non polluting, silent, and reliable.  The safety and reliability from well developed installed maintenance program should be in place.


Infographic on how the accident happenned


Scores were injured

Senate probes Manila Port Congestion: we need more teamwork, right priorities, and intelligence - Ordonez

It is more fun criticizing

Rizal Philippines   |  August 13, 2014



From Solar News

The Senate Committee on Ways and Means,  and Economic Affairs headed by Sen Bam Aquinotoday conducted an inquiry into the Port Congestion congestion.  The congestion in the Port has been alleged to be caused by the following:  the truck ban in Manila imposed by Pres/Mayor Erap, LTFRB crackdown on colorum trucks.

Those who attended this afternoon's hearing were DTI Secretary Gregory Domingo,  Philippine Chamber of Industry Chair Jess Arranza, Former DTI Usec Ernie Ordonez, Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, LTFRB chair Winston Ginez, ICTSI REgional Head Gonzalez customs and PPA representatives.

A senators counter sona to Pres Pnoys Sona reflects lack of critical analysis

It is more fun criticizing

Rizal Philippines  | August 13 2014

Comment on Malaya post



It is really nice to hear criticisms against speeches and differ in views with the speaker.  That is part of the democratic process.  However, some criticisms need criticisms too because some of them could be very far from the truth.

The other issues are well taken (maybe the congestion at the Port of Manila causing increase in prices of commodities) however this corner disagrees that the measly $8billion in FDI is a poor indication of the economy.  Rather than belittle the gains the country has made despite the low FDI, we should be proud of this.  It MEANS FILIPINOS, MORE ENTREPRENEURS ARE BETTING ON THE COUNTRY'S BRIGHT FUTURE.  We cant depend on the volatile foreign inflows to prop up our economy.  The truth is we have more revenues from OFW remittances and BPO.  Dear Sir.  It is progress.  It definitely lifted the lives of many people and has driven up real estate, consumer goods and many more.

Gen Jovito Palparan, former head of 7th IB of PA, congressmen, arrested today in Sta Mesa

It is more fun criticizing

Rizal Philippines  | August 12, 2014

Repost from Rappler



Former Gen Jovito Palparan, who has a P2 million bounty on his head (who will get this largesse?) was arrested in Sta Mesa today by composite team of NBI and Naval intelligence officer 3 years after an arrest warrant was issued vs him and he went underground

Palparan earned the aka "berdugo" for the execution of activists  There was an upsurge of extra judicial killings in areas where he was assigned.  He served under the term of  GMA.

He said in the interview at the media when he was presented that he will not opt for hospital arrest (although he complained of frozen shoulder and back injury)  Palaparan appeared thin haggard and long hair and apprarently suffered while hiding

Some questions:

1.   Yesterday's hero,doing his duty under a different govt/adminstration, today's criminal?

2,  Is there justice in the way we treat accused:

   senators in PNP custodial center

  Cornejo in custodial center

  GMA in Philippine Veterans Hospital

  Palparan in common jail

Untested drug vs Ebola being brought to Liberia

It is more fun criticizing

Rizal Philippines  |  August 12, 2014

Repost from BBC news




It was featured today at Al Jazeera and Fox News that the Zmapp drug used on two American missionaries to West Africa who were infected with Ebola is being flown to  Nigeria to help combat the disease.    This may sound unethical because the patients would be guinea pigs for the drugs.

So far the disease has killed more than a thousand (1,016) out of 1, 799 infected.

The drug is made by Mapp BioPharmaceutical based in San Diego California, has not undergone clinical testing, nor has acquired FDA blessing.  But the drug was used on the two American missionaries and has made them better.  It is made from extracts of tobacco plants from Australia and its efficacy so far has been tested to be 100% on monkeys.

The drug is known as 3 mouse monoclonal antibody/

The entire supply of Zmapp has been exhausted after this shipment.  And this came at no cost to the LIberian Govt.  The shipment came after the Liberian govt Pres  Ellen Johnson appealed to the US govt.  The role of US govt has been to put into contact Zapp and the Liberian govt.

What a great humanitarian gesture.