DOLE and newly created Department of Migrant Workers at loggerhead

It is more fun criticizing

The head of DOLE and DMW seem to be a loggerhead.    DMW head  Abdulah Mamao cancelled the standing ban on deployment of workers at ME.

Sec Bello said that the Department will be funded only in 2023 despite it having an IRR.   

The usual battle among cabinets :   turf battle.    Large egos.    

Drug dealer Kerwin Espinosa recants testimony vs Senator de Lima

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Inquirer. Espinosa recants de Lima testimony at Senate

What is the impact of Espinosa's recanting of testimony vs  Senator  de Lima?

Nothing because he is not a witness?   And who is likely to believe him, and who believed him initially? He is a criminal and probably we could not care less for their testimony.

The recanting has a publicity effect and will probably lift the ranking of the good senator (but not enough to lift her to top 12.   If the good senator does not get out of this mess soon, and she will find difficulty because her term expires this June.  And if her friends at EU do not work fast enough

The die is cast; they have crossed the Rubicon

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It is just 11 days just before the May 9,2022 local and national election.  The latest survey still show the same results and bric bracs continue to be thrown among supporters at social media.  They look more rancid and pointed.  One of the parties have gone on house to house sectoral campaign.  But most of the voter are very unlikely to change votes  They show pictures of stores changing tarpaulin

Those who lead the surveys are more likely to be the winners.  One such candidate Cong Marcoleta because of the surveys, quit the senatorial race He saw the futility of it all. .  Those in the senatorial race in the 30th or 40th ranking should face reality and expect nothing more.   And so with the 8 other candidates for Presidency 

Only the final voting will remove the sense of apprehension and suspense.  We will never know the truth who the liars and thieves are unless our courts prove them to be so.   Like any human rights respectful citizen, the brand on the character of the person shall be evidence based.   If the opposition really are morally upright, they should have sent the concerned parties behind bars.  

Candidates woo the C, D, E voters, pledge more social welfare ang aid

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Rizal Philippines

As is the usual wooing strategy, the Presidential candidates  have promised ayuda:   one of them a P200 Billion ayuda, more free education, lower priced goods.  That is the easiest way to say but funding those promises is another story.  The additional taxes would be another matter and the voters to be affected would surely be alienated.   One even proposed of selling govt properties to fund the welfare The CDE, Socio economic class compromise 70% of the total population  (about 49 million) and hence it is better to appeal to the sense of free and entitlement of the many of the populace

Some of the promises if done would make the country a socialist one, and /or the country would resort to massive foreign and local borrowing (We are criticizing the current administration for trillion additional debt.  

It is very usual that candidates (even the Democrats) to profess balanced budget, lower taxes, but as soon as they get elected run afoul with reality and then increase taxes, or water down their promises.  

Resurgence expected in May,, number of cases may reach 60,000 a day

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The number of cases of covid 19 is at low 193 now; however as predicted by DOH the number may reach 60,000 a day because of:

     1.  Latest variant brought in by  a foreigner from Europe who went to Baguio;  44 contacts.

          New covid19 variant

          Covidsubvariant 2.12 detected in Baguio visitor   The 52 year old visitor from Finland who

          lectured on digital loom weaving in Cordilllera has recovered and returned to her home country. 

     2.  Absence of or non observance of social distancing; 

     3.  Frequent close contacts because of parade, meetings,  and the voting on May 9, 2023

We have to be braced for this;  We can not be complacent.  Because it means return of lockdown, limited mobility and reduction of economic activity.  More hardships.  

This may be bad news for the public at large but good news for hospital, other health facilities like diagnostic centers pharma whose business are in doldrums.   A hospital I know has an entire floor for covid experiencing 0 admissions.   

COMELEC Precinct finder. Effectiveness spotty?

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Comelec launched  5 days ago the precinct finder.  It worked well for me.  But others are complaining because they could not find their precinct. 

Comelec precinct finder  

How to fix deactivated status

We laud Comelec for having this project

Election of senatoriables even for administration candidates is at risk

                                                                          One survey

                                                            Another confusing survey/tracker

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The survey shows that only the following will make it to the top 12:   Escudero, Tulfo, Zubiri, Legarda, Binay Gatchalian, Villar, Villanueva, Padilla, Cayetano, Ejercito. Estrada Congratulations

Out are Hontiveros, De Lima, Panelo, Bello, Panelo, Bautista (Bistek), Honasan, Gordon.

Diokno, Eleazar, Roque.   Marcoleta, Honasan Gibo.   (Its a little confusing because some survey say Gibo is top 10)

Tough luck sorry Guys.  

Censorship by a social media platform

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FB takes down PNA posts PDP Laban

Several posts have been taken down and accounts suspended with posts related to election by a social media platform The latest was that of a spokesperson of a Presidentiable.  One of those whose account allegedly violated community standards. was that of PNA whose post was not election related.

This account on the same platform had a sports content was taken down and reported .  I did not agre to the reason for the take down since this is post is not in the habit of throwing brick bracks at other persons or negative posts.  But it is their platform, hosting our post and has all the right to close your account.   It may be arbitrary, it may be censorship but it is within their right to make that action. Some say the take down is automated 

It is wiser to go to other platform and avoid patronizing the site.  Clearly they are suffering loss of growth and migration to other platforms which results in lower market cap and impoverishment of the owner.

Clearly not the right way to recognize the content providers and the unpaid authors of their content.

It may be unfair, but we have to tahnk the editors the censors to warn us if we are licentious and to be careful

Who will emerge victorious in the May 9, 2022 Presidential Election?

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Fake 1 Sambayan survey

                                                            Fake who was behind this?

                                                             Who are dishonest?

                                                        Fake.  It made Leni appear to be leading

We pray for honest and orderly electioins, No CPP NPA or rightist destabilization, No Smartmatic Comelec Machinations

Will it be a battle between Leni Kiko vs BBM Sarah or the others Isko, Ping are giving it a last minute hard try.   I guess the surveys say it all and and may be it is just between the two front runners.  The Makati meeting of 4 Presidentiables hardly made a dent  on the election results and made it even more confusing, with IM asking Robredo to withdraw.  This post thought they would consolidate their  followers as VP Candidate David vs BBM.  The meeting fractured more the opposition

Kadami dami ng fake surveys fake news article and are very confusing.   We will finally see an end to this.  The senatorial race is generally peaceful.  The presidential race is chaotic.  

So who will you vote.  Both struggled and spent huge resources to make themselves known via soc media, tarps, house to house,  caravans, parades  Their trolls and their followers at various media painted good points about their candidates and bad points about their opposition.

Some comparison:

                                                    Leni Kiko                             BBM               Comment               

1.  Surveys:    Octa, SWS          20%                                       60%                 40% difference.                                                                                                                                             BBM is boosted                                                                                                                                                  by popularity

2,  Caravan                                appears more attendees      xxxxx

3.  Educ attainment                    lawyer, economist               xxxx                   however at debates

                                                                                                                          BBM appeared  brilliant

                                                                                                                          LR has many slip ups

                                                                                                                          LR has no records of law

                                                                                                                          practice

4.  Work experience                   VP, ,former congreswoman   Governor        BBM appears to have an

                                                                                                  Senator           edge here having                                                                                                                                            administrative experience  

5.  Weakness                            jueteng and assoction with      tax evastion     Vic Rodriguez and JPE

                                                 shady people by Husband        estate tax          were able to explain them

                                                                                                  plunder             well

Take your pick.  Who will lead our country to greatness.  If nothng goes wrong, its a victory for  BBM

     --

                                                                                                                                     

Evolving warfare technology renders current military hardware obsolete

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                                                          Cheap Turkish drones

                                                          Armed drones from China to Ukraine

                                                           UK made NLAW

                                                  Shoulder fired anti aircraft weapon

                                               Russian destroyer Moskva listing on fire

The current war at Ukraine vs Russia, and the corresponding victories and defeats show the  vulnerability of current military hardwaree.  Russia lost thousands of troops, aircraft hundreds of tanks  and even their prized flagship Moskva to a missile attack.  It was supposed to be an air defense missile and  launch pad of cruise missile and anti aircraft missiles

Some game changers:

1.  The drones from Turkey and US

    1.  To scan and observe the battle situation

    2.  To deliver munition payload vs the adversaries

2.  Shoulder carried:

   1.  Anti tank weapons, Javelin and NLAW from UK

   2.  Anti aircraft soldier carried weapons.

Some of the technologies may no longer be effective:

    1.  Aircrafts:   helicopter and jet fighters

    2.  Battleships and aircraft carriers

    3.  Tanks and mechanized warfare

What would remain would probably:

   1.  Much tougher tanks (like the Abrams)

   2.  Different kind of aircraft that can evade RPgs or shoulder carried weapons

   3.  Smaller frigates and corvettes equipped with missiles

   4   Multiple missile launchers

The history of weaponry and warfare could be classified as:

  1.  Ancient times

      Infantry foot soldiers with bow and arrow and swords

2.  Medieval times 

     Castles and missile launching equipment

     Armor clad knights, and gunpowder

3.  Modern times:

     World War 1 and 2:

     1.  Tanks

     2. Machine guns

     3.  Howitzers

     4.  Aircrafts

     5.  Naval armaments:   battle ships, destroyers 

4.  Desert storm 

    continuation of use of WW2 technology:

    1.  Bigger and faster aircraft carrier

    2.  Faster jet planes with more weapons

    3.  Tanks with better weapons and armor  (Abrams tanks)

    4.  Innovation:   cruise missiles, precision guided bombing

5.  Unrestricted warfare by the PLA

     The Chinese army colonels proposed an unrestricted warfare, not only carried at the  military 

     front, but economy, at IT, trade, commerce, finance.   or even bactrerioligical warfare.  Some alleged

     that covid 19 was part of this strategy.  

     The sanctions being imosed by US by Nato, EU on Russia are part of this UW.

6.  The Ukraine war

     Changed the outcome of the war with weapons that nullified the size of Russia and their blitz and

     juggernaut.    See how drones can humble a $3M tank or shoulder fired weapons downing a $20 

     million helicopeter or a a much more expensive SU#4

Evolving nature of campaign tactics and strategies

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It is really a time for evolution and innovation.  The campaign strategies and techniques hve radically changed in the Philippine setting.   Perhaps since 2016

It used to be campaign sorties:   house to house, miting de avance, meeting with the purok campaign leaders vote buying, cheating, terrorism

But now modern technologies are at work

1.  Use of social media:

     YT

     Face book

     IG and more

2.  Through these media you have:

     1.  YT of rallies and caravan

     2.  Trolls to create content for the favored candidate, or neutralize their accucastions;

     3.  Influencers:    Justice Carpio, Fmr Senate Pres Enrile, 

3.  Expensive  events:

   

     1.  Caravans

     2   Events/rallies

     3.  With generous t shirts and allowances

4.  Surveys contra surveys

    1.  SWS Publicus, OCTA, and own spontaneous surveys

    2.  Interviews of citizens at YT

 5.  Disruption of election results via Smartmatic and Comelec

Its two weeks to go. Whoever used the best combination of activities and resources will surely win

But fear factors are introduced Various scenarios are published:

     1.  CCP is allegely advising and supporting  VP Robredo

     2.  Scenarios:

          1.  BBM wins, but is DQ's either at Comelec and SD is promoted as Pres 

               BBM camp causes destabilization campaign

         2   LR wins and the BBM SD causes destablization

         3.  If there is trouble, PDU3 declares Martial law, CCP NDF joins the fray

Sayang sana we conduct this peacefully.  We are engaged in legal democtratic processes disrupt  our peace and progress

Having fireworks despite unforseen liability or ban

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This post was involved in a company spending plenty on fireworks for its marketing initiatives.  However, when there were accidents, and there were regulations being formulated to ensure the safety of public. the company complied and stopped the fireworks

It shifted to having the  China like lanterns that float and flly due to a lighted candle inside.  It had to stop also because sometimes they fall on populated areas at houses and become fire hazard.

The public welfare is paramount.  Were we glad we were compliant and  follow the laws

There was a feature in TV and a lawyer was guest regarding fireworks accident and liability of the producer, the distributor and the user.  The lady lawyer advised voluntary assistance to the  victims rather than having complaints filed

Destabilization (troubles) in case the other Presidentiable wins - alleges a reporter

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Rizal Philippines

4/19/2022

A presidential candidate now occupying a sensitive govt position was alleged to have told that there will be trouble in case the other leading candidate wins.  (Perhaps reminiscent of the walk out of election board of canvassers  for alleged irregularity)   Sen Ping Lacson declares this statement to be uncalled for and irresponsible.   

However they echoed the  same scenario in case BBM wins in their April 17, 2022 presscon

The allegation was promptly denied by the concerned party.  

Surveys in 2016 correctly predicted the tight race for VP in 2016

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While many are pooh pooing surveys most of the surveys conducted in the past were right.  Including the VP race in 2016.   The survey showed the VP race to be tight

""Marcos and Robredo are in a statistical tie, with the former at 29% and the latter at 28% voter preference, the results of the survey, conducted May 1-3 among 4,500 registered voters, showed.

Indeed it was.

Photofinish for the 2016 VP race

Will the sinking of destroyer Moskva start World War 3

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The flagship of Russian navy,  $750 million destroyer Muscova  caught fire and sank at Black Sea.  No one can say for sure the cause and some say it is the Ukrainian missile Neptune that sank it.   Surely it is a great embarrassment to Putin and  will not let it past.  All ready there are news that the  missile plant of Ukraine has been destroyed due  to a Russian attack

How come a high tech ship can be attacked without much effort.  It is supposed to be an air defense unit.  The high tech equipment failed?   The crew was not well trained?

Putin will most likely:

     1.  Launch decisive attacks vs key Ukraine cities

     2.  Will make attacks more shocking

     3.  Will involve countries who are providing armaments to Ukraine like UK and US

     4.   Will appoint more ruthless and efficient generals to get the job done

Olga Skabayeba announces that sinking of Moscow has started World War 3

Presser today by Senators Ping Lacson, Tito Sotto, Mayor Isko Moreno Sec. Gonzales, and Dr. Willie Ong on withdrawal - they are not

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This post caught the latter part of the presser.  Sens Ping Lacson, Tito Sotto, Isko Moreno, Dr. Willie Ong, Sec Norberto Gonzales.   Manny Pacquiao, Leody de Guzman,  Dr. Montemayor, Mr. Abella, Mr. Faisal Mangondato were not in attendance.     Sen. Ping Lacson clarified the objectives of the presser:

            1.  That they are not withdrawing

            2.   Not to believe the deception  (includes the surveys and crowd estimates of meetings)

            3.   Not to subvert the results of the election

Sen Ping said that we should remove the binary mentality, sa pula sa puti, that the battle for Presidency is between LR and BBM;  there are other options.  There are anecdotes of supporters shifting alliance to BBM because they disliked LR, and vice versa.   There are other options

Mayor Isko Moreno said that for anyone to commit the supreme sacrifice it should be the VP because her main reason for running that she must prevent Marcos family comeback does not work.   Isko, Ping Lacson and the rest of candidates are offering something for the people.    Ping said, the VP,, being a woman cnaged her mind.    On so many occasions before filing  COCC SHE SAID SHE WOULD not run  And yet when the filing of COC time came, she filed.  

April 17, 2022 presser of other presidentiables - no coalition, no withdrawal

CNN - Isko calls on LR to withdraw

But whoever withdraws, LR or the other candidates, it is not possible to close the gap on lead of BBM

Will Raffy Tulfo be DQ'd from the Senarial race

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Raffy Tulfo made popular by his Channel 5 Isumbong mo kay Tulfo made him a front runner in the current race for Senator..  However  a Damocles sword hangs over him:   a possible DQ case.  

No one dares:   not even Comelec doing motu propio DQ case.  But it is very likely that the No. 13 will do in so that he/she moves up.   or from PAO Chief Acosta.   

He was earlier convicted with finality in a libel case with Michael Uy and had to cough out P1.7 million

PAO chief Acosta urges Comelec to disqualify Tulfo

The earlier DQ case filed by his x wife was earlier dismissed.   

DQ case looms vs Leni Kiko for accepting foreign donation in campaign

Save for a DQ from Comelec enbanc has the BBM SD tandem have the election wrapped up?

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BBM tops two latest surveys

Kalye survey of SPLAT shows 62% preference for BBM

SPLAT Kalye survey results

With barely a month to go before the May 9 elections, the BBM Duterte tandem has but all have the election wrapped up for themselves:  (except when in en banc the Comelec DQ BBM  (but which it will

try to avoid to do given that with such a majority, there could be a major political upheaval)

In the SPLAT kalye survey, the rating of BBM is 62% one of the highest in the history.  This covers the period April 1-10 involving 3,000 respondents.  

      1.  40% lead in the latest survey; this means a lead of 24 million in the Magdalo and SWS survey

           covering March

      2.  Cebu  QC  Cavite, all vote rich committing majority vote to the tandem;

      3.  90% of  governors pledged their support to BBM

The BBM SD tandem, perhaps having the resources perhaps got the best money can buy:   advisers,,  campaign manager strategists

     1.  Focused on the positive

     2.  Clear and easy to remember messages:  Unity, Gagalinng and Paggaling

     3.   Use of science in the campaign -  focus on vote rich areas, and where they are lagging

     4.   Going to the grass roots and utilization of political connection

     5.   Use to the hilt of social media to:

          1.  Deflect the negative

          2.   Negate the claim of very high attendance at their rallies.   A 220,000  claim in Pampanga

               was analyzed by a YT cohort was estimated to be only 70,000 which the PNP later on                             confirmed

         3.  Various influencers here and abroad to speak about issues being thrown to BBM.  The

              tandem used silence and preferred that underlings and followers, take the butt of the

              mudslinging

What happens to the political followers after election?

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Of course, to the winner belong the spoils.  Losers suffer and have loss of face.   But by far and large, only the winners and their inner circles can reap the spoils of victories.   Influence, power, authority and most especially choice and plum positions.  Even cabinet positions, to those who worked hard,

For the rest, its simply another day, even for the victors.  It is the sad experience of this post the wife of gubernatorial candidate found the road to our house to campaign for her husband, to distribute leaflets post

tarpaulin.   After the husband won (this post could have delivered 2,000 votes at least in the subdivisions built that is was then heavily populated all ready)......

Nothing changes in election.  The promised change never take place.  Only names and  people on top change.  But the bureaucrats whose practice remain corrupt the civil servants who are inefficient (and protected by civil service laws) remain.    The new administration would have to bring the deadwood and the bad asses to court just to get rid of them.  

The corrupt syndicate in offices and departments continue their corrupt practices, the financiers of election get back their investments c/o of their investee officials.  

For people in the government it is business as usual.  

Earlier as an activitst in my student days, the thinkers propose a violent revolution if we are to change the system.   Social injustice, inequality, oppression continues even if we place the best leaders.   

Nothing changes after election

Nothing has changed

So rather than waste our resources and energy on election, let us devote our time and energy to make ourselves better;  our communities to be better.

Have the traditional Catholic practices on Holy Week heightened Christian practices?

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Rizal Philippines

Good Friday,  2022

Its Good Friday today.  We recall the Passion, Suffering, and Death (and Resurrection) of the Lord

Jesus Christ.  We have holidays to have time to reflect and celebrate these occasions.

But really have we become more Christian with these very rich practices/tradition:

Most common Holy Week traditions

     1.  Pabasa

     2.  Self flagellation and Pagpapako sa Cruz YT pagpapako sa Cruz Pampanga

     3.  Bisita Iglesia

     4.  Way of the Cross

     5.  Processions

     6.  Salubong on Easter Sunday

     7.   Palm Sunday

     8.   Senakulo

We have specialized events in certain places like the Moriones in Marinduque

This post dare say No.

Selfishness, inhumanity of humans to fellow humans abound, taking advantage of others, crimes abound, and consequently, countless suffering happen.   

Right after Holy Week, the criminals who might have self flagellated, the businessmen who went of Visita Iglesia go back to their old unChristian ways.   Love is professed but there is no charity.

Its time to make these events remarkable and leave a lasting imprint on the minds and hearts of Crhistians

Among believers of Confucianism, only Ren the superior men are allowed in public and civil service

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Britannica - REN

Many were disappointed if not appalled by the performance of Presidential candidates at the various sponsored debates.   A famous iconic candidate in the field of sports even made himself funny and laughable in the recent forum presided by an Academician.  He was incoherent.  Though he was purpose

driven.

This would have not happened in our laws if in our written and unwritten election codes, only Ren as in China are allowed to run for public office.  What is Ren:   a superior man, an upright man both in morality and skills for public and civil service.   Many of the Chinese civil servants I met have multiple masteral degrees in various foreign schools of government or business 

While we are strict about qualifications of civil servants, it is not true for public servants.  This post is not sure if finishing elementary grades is a requirement.  We even allow convicts to run for public office, and even get elected.  Only in the  Philippines.   

Following this only 3 of the candidates would qualify for Ren:   a lady fmr VP, lawyer, ,fmr congressman (thus is experienced in public service)   a current senator fmr chief of PNP,  and again a fmr senator governor and vice governor    The others;   a former labor leader, a security adviser, a lawyer doctor former cabinet member may have the academic background, or practical background in their respective field but to lead a nation?   They lack the depth and visionary leadership needed for a future President

In the two Party system, the Party conducts its own screening process and makes sure they have winnable candidates and who best represent someone who would be President.  They hold conventions and elect their own candidates and write the line up.  

Here we simply would accept who has the guts and the ambition to be a President, but lack the credentials the skills, ability to be one.   

Tearing down tarps billboards of candidates, negative messages at social media - are they winning tactics?

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The tarp I put up for a niece running for a provincial board position was torn down at a wall within the  property line.   Well there are a hundred more tarps placed in strategic areas, and the candidate running unopposed is very likely to win.

I have seen posts by candidates experiencing the same seething with anger.  A gubernatorial candidate before (now an incumbent) complained about similar negative actions

How about negative campaigning?  Do they do good for the candidate.  Is the "Secret"  false?  Negative campaigning plant the seeds of enmity and  does not do well in case of power sharing of giving of jobs to the losers.   So much negativism leads to hate, to troubles and even wars.

Even debates generate negativity when rebuttals are made.  They are popular just like sabong, but does not endear the candidates to the target audience, nor the candidates to the network.  And those who are poor in public speaking definitely lose points in a negative laden debate.

Are calamities - deaths and destruction caused by men's action?

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                                                Bad weather spoiled BBM sorties at Leyte

                                            Death and destruction at Baybay due to Agaton

A netizen made a comment on the sufferings - death and destruction at Baybay brought about by Agaton typhoon.  .  She cruelly commented that this was due to the citizens of the said place joining the activity of BBM.   It is a punishment for supporting criminals"

When there was Ondoy, an acquaintance quickly quipped that Ondoy was punishment of God due to sins 

of people from Luzon

How can we say that.  We can not fathom the wisdom of the Creator regarding events on this earth.  The time of judgement has not come.

They are acts of nature,and has nothing to do with election, events on this earth.   To think that way is illogical, reflects absence of critical thinking.   What caused their death is lack planning, further research by NDRRMC on risk areas for people to settle and put up their houses.  And DPWH  in putting up more effective anti erosion, anti landslide infrastructure.  

73 out of 81, 90% of governors support BBM

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90% of governors support BM.  No less than Danny Suarez and Chavit Singson support for BBM,  They vowed to make BBM the first majority President

This is ominous for other Presidentiables if you can get firm grass root support from Provincial chiefs.   This is better than show of force for caravans or large gatherings.   That you can get them to visit BBM at his head quarters speak well of growing influence and perceived power of BBM.

You will not go to the HQ of losing candidates.  The 90% is a large number to defeat;   much larger than survey numbers

90% of governors support BBM

Balimbing laglagan time

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News has it today that the party of Isko Moreno IM  Pilipinas has dropped Isko at its standard bearer and has shifted alliance with Leni Robredo.( They should change initial to IL)  The head of IM is former MMDA head Tim Orbos  The newbies has tasted the cruelty of politics of convenience.   Only the fittest survive, and self interest prevail.   There are no permanent parties only allies, and only parties of convenience.   

So what happens to Isko?.  What happens to Ping.?  

Some call this political turncoatism;   others call this balimbing.   

There is a myriad of political parties who are running this campaign.  And it can give you head ache.  Ever since there were election in the Philippines, balimbing has been the name of the game .

Then you have the RoSa combination  All sorts of strange things happen in politics

Only the fittest and the paranoid survive

Why change alliances?   It means jobs and choice positiions in case of victory.   To the victor belongs the spoils....

IM Philippines chooses Robredo, drops Isko M

Balimbing = political turn coatism

Laglagan, rambol time; withdrawal from the election race

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We have seen a wave of such move in current election, baring the uselessness of party system.  We have heard of:

    1. Robredo Sara tandems movement in the south (RoSa)

    2.  Call by Atienza for Ping to withdraw;

   3.  Sotto as common VP for Ping and Pacquiao

   4.  Unity call vs Uniteam (by R David) for all candidates to  pool resources to defeat the leading candidate in surveys

  5.  Offer for Ping to withdraw, allegedly by JunSi fmr oic mayor of QC

   Jun Si offered Sen Ping to withdraw

    We join Sen Ping Lacson in his comment on what kind of candidates do we have?   No principles.  Only politics that favor me, and/or my convenience.  Just to win

Do we expect to see more?

Who are biased traditional and social media?

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In this current political campaign, a tv station page has been taken down, allegedly due to violation of community standards (for publishing a particular candidate) and their pages has accused the said other media to be biased 

It has been observed though that the said award winning media has favored certain particular candidates.  Nor has labelled jailed candidates as thieves liars etc.   

This post had some training in journalism ethics.   Media people, even Comelec have no right to label certain individuals who have been just charged or crimes, or even those  who are in custody.  And yet some quarters are too quick to join the masses, just like Jews 2000 years ago to condemn certain individuals.  

Customers come first; inconvenience of commuters comes first

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Express travel has been preferred by travelers and commuters and pedestrian frinedly roads and pathways.   This is not the case in the Philippines.  The regulators have been bent in making systems that may be good for the  commuters and pedestrians.   They forgot that systems and or changes must be customer centric -  put the customers first and foremost.  Consider:

    1.  North and South Terminals.    You have to stop at terminals and get another ride at the city  Despite

         the seamless north and south expressway access, those travelling by bus have to get off on, get off

         get on to other buses.  Not the  most convenient and modern way to travel

        Plane travel, and travel via colorum vans and or personal vehicles would be more convenient

    2.  The pedestrian overpass and train access.  You have to climb steep stairways.  This does not

          dwell well with senior citizens

   3.   Vendors and other obstacles along pedestrian walks.

Please plan around the convenience of the citizens of the communters please sirs.  Planners.  Govt genius

Did Russia achieve air superiority in Ukraine?

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Russias invasion of Ukraine has stalled. One of the reasons is lack of clear air superiority?  

While Russia has more aircraft and more modern  equipment.  

Why so?   The pilots of Russia lacked the training to seek out SAM and eliminate them.  Most of them because  of this weakness have to fly at low attitudes exposing them to personnel borne anti aircarft weapons. 

The armored columns and even helicopters are not safe from Ukrainian defenses.  Also the drones from Turkey has been wrecking havoc on Russian forces

Did Russia achieve ari superiority in Ukraine

The current military hardware changed the rules of the  warfare.  The soldier carried anti tank weapon, the  drones have  changed the games of war.   Having heavily clad tanks do not mean victory nor tech aircraft.  They can be easily shot down by new SAM,, and shoulder carried anti aircraft weapon when flying at low altitude

Armed drones which are inexpensive can wreck havoc on armored columns.  They can also detect the troop and armored movement.   No armored troops care safe.    No need for risky recon foot patrols

Are surveys accurate?

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Many candidates dump the importance of surveys.   Yet their supporters continue their support or desert them depending on survey results.

The surveys were correct with regards to Pnoy and GMA victory;  they also predicted Robredo and Duterte victories

Rappler. What survey says

That is the only metric KRA available to the candidates and the campaign managers.   Otherwise everybody will be in total darkness.    (In local elections they have term for that  "ïskrutinyo"    A religious group has been known to thrown in a support for a candidate by knowing the  iskrutinyo.  Though statistically they can not influenc the election result, the accuracy of their support based on the said type of survey give them a semblance of power and influence (leadership)

What is significant though is that surveys can influence the voters preference for the winninable candidate

Friend or foe? Armed struggle to amidst social injustice justified

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In many parts of the  debates and symposia for the presidentiables, a candidate really stands out.  He justifies that it is all right for the 50 year old movement (CPP NPA NDF)  to go on armed struggle to attain their objectives, despite them having gained many partylist post and despite huge efforts to address livelihood, social justice  And being well entrenched in the govt.  Other candidates wisely called them enemies  While the rest of the communist movement in the world has become kaput, it is very much alive in our midst even in the presidential campaign

The position taken by the gentleman makes him an undesirable candidate for this peaceful election.and enemy of the peace loving citizen.     In so far as ideologues are concerned, the government despite all the gargantuan efforts will never be able to satisfy the appetites of the rebels/terrorists. 

One less candidate to analyze

Armed struggle to persist without social justice

Problem with onions in an island province

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A problem with rotting onions appeared in certain posts and  was discussed in a tv radio program.  It appeared that onions were rotting in a certain area in an island province the cause being traced to logistics and absence of cold storage facility.  There are actually cold storage facility in the island province but the distances could be immense making the facility useless (the logistic cost is high making the cost of the onion uncompetitive)  It appeared that certain GI migrants encouraged the growing of onions without studying the feasibility.   Selling to Bicol entails huge expenses, and even to Iloilo

A resurgence may be expected in the Philippines due to Holy Week, Election, and resurgence in China and other neighboring countries

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A WHO representative warned PH on possible resurgence of covid because of the following:

     1.  Possible spreader events due to election (people are close to one another  disregarding social distancing)

    2.   Virus being spread from MM to the province due to the exodus from Manila to the province because  of Holy Week

   3.   Resurgence of covid say in China (Shangai) where infection run a good 5 numbers daily.  Couple this with lax border control  (We welcome tourists  though with RT PCR tests probably from China and others where there is a surge:  Vietnam, Korea, Thailand)

Let us be safe and let us be happy with low number of cases now.  

17,000 cases a day hits Shanghai

Reuters 20000 new cases in Shanghai  Shanghai in lockdown

Pity the candidate who has plenty of weakness.

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It is not a wise idea to run for a public office if you have a lot of negative data in your lifetime

As I was scrolling through a social media, this post was inadvertently brought to videos about the current candidate brouhaha.  The candidate, trailing in the survey, who attacked the frontrunner was subjected to many attacks on his personal circumstances.  Allegations were made: (in a number of videos)

      1.  To pay for unpaid  plane tickets which ran into millions

      2.   To pay for wages of drivers abroad;

      3.   To mind the children he fathered with other women (than his wife) in the Mindanao area

      He was thus featured as hypocrite for being man of bible and being dishonest and immoral

      Expect a lot of dirt to be thrown back to you if you made personal attacks vs the opponent

His close friend predicted he will be poor again for having squandered his PHP in this election.

Somebody should have advised him.  It is too late to back out.  He may lose.   And he committed a lot of mistake.  He may even face cases for alleging certain candidates to be involved in drugs, that is why the  drug lords are active again  

Department of Water

MPM square inch foreign policy