More complete information on Pag asa weather forecasts

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As I watched the weather report/forecast on typhoon Leon, this post noticed more information:

      1.  Amount of rainfall,

      2.   Typhoo signal number

      3.   Wind speed

      4.   Gale

      5.   Surges

With theses information, the area to be hit can better prepare for the type of emergency to be encountered.  As the rainfall.... Flooding can be predicted, and evacuation can be anticipated

Flash flood in Spain, scores killed; mirroring PHL former colony experience

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Typhoon Leon becomes super, exits Batanes to Taiwan this pm

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There was an earthquake at Cagayan at 5:39 this am.    String of disasters.

Not so enthusiastic on donation to the flood victims

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It could be donor's fatigue.  I tried to initiate a donation drive for Bicol flood victims.  But it was met with lackluster response.  The reason being:    1.  The govt has huge budget for ayuda :    DSWD and LGU  2.  LGUs and others profit from the donations.  3.  Those that benefitted from the flood control projects must donate.   Billions of profits 

Home flood control protection ideas

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In view of the alleged misuse of public funds for flood control, we have to guard ourselves from onslaught of floods   

Home small scale flood barriers to protect homes and properties from flood

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When city and or govt projects dont work

Amazing inventions vs flood and storms

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Most focus on barriers:   seawalls, barriers, levees, rip rpas to fend off flood.

Others:

1  Sponge city - to absorb water, to work with flood rather than against it.  

2.  Waterways

3.  Engineered green spaces

4.  Rain gardens

5.  Ike dike, gates

6.  Climate tile

7.  Resist, Delay, Store, Discharge system

8.  Storm gates

9.  Self controlled flood barrier

10.  Aqua dam

11.  Kwik boat

12.  Survival capsule

Recall of Money Laundering scam coursed through a local bank stolen from Bangladesh

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Branch manager Deguito was found to be guilty of  money laundering by the RTC of Makati.  She was sentenced to 30 -50 years and fine of $101 million in fine   

Bicol River Basin

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The Bicol River is a medium-size river in Southern Luzon and drains an area of 3,771 square kilometers. Situated in the Bicol Peninsula, it embraces the central portion of Camarines Sur, the northern portion of Albay, and a portion of Camarines Norte. The basin is oriented in a northwest-southeast direction and bounded on the east by a chain of volcanoes and on the west by highlands and lowhills. The flat alluvial land in the Bicol Plain occupies the area between the Eastern Bicol Cordillera and the Ragay Hills.

The runoff which is estimated annually at 5,100 million cubic meters, starts from the Mayon Volcano with an elevation of 4,421m, and meanders in a generally northwestward direction. After being regulated through lakes Bato, Buhi, and Baao, the streamflow reaches the mainstream of the Bicol River which owing to its very gentle slope, is affected by tides as far as upstream of Naga City.

The principal tributary of the Bicol River is the Sipocot River. Unlike the main river, the Sipocot River cuts through mountainous terrain and has a steeper slope. The Bicol River after joining the Sipocot River, widens to more than 1,000 meters across at the estuary before discharging into San Miguel Bay.The average annual rainfall varies from 2,000mm in the southwestern area to 3,600mm in the southwestern section of the basin. Flood-producing rains in the basin from May to February are mainly due to tropical cyclone passages, northeast monsoon and orographic effect.Flooding from the sea in the alluvial plain near the mouth of the river is caused by storm surges associated with the passage of slow-moving typhoons near or over San Miguel Bay particularly during high tides.The target areas for the Bicol River Flood Forecasting and Warning Subsystem are:a) The Central part of the basin, from lake Baao to Lake Bato.b) The alluvial plain extending from Naga City to the river mouth.

Flooding at Naga City explained clearer by Ed Lingao

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Cofluence of:

1.  Two rivers:  Naga and Bicol

2.  Draining of water from Mt Isarog and other mountains

3.  The Bicol River Basin silting.  

Flooding by 2025 will be worse,  Up to 61% of Naga City is flood prone

Bakit walang solusyon, bakit galit si Cong?

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Its a time for reckoning and accounting  PBBM eyes revival of River Basin project started by his father but which was stopped by DPWH in 1966

All problems have solution.  Other nations have more challenging problems with flooding and thefy were able to solve this.  It calls for imagination, hard work, and honesty.   

Running after politicians and contractors urged for flood control projects; P1.44 billion daily expenditures for flood control!?

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It is time.. To investigate DPWH, the 5,500 flood control projects.  Is there a master plan.  The excuse that we had an unsual amount of rainfall.   Projects should be planned for maxiuum or beyond maximum because we know there is climate change

Japan has planned ahead and anticipated rising maximum.  Designs are based on historical data.  We know that there is an increasing frequency of rainfall beyond the listed data

More energy and time should be spent on investigating this rather than ejk and other so called irregularity

Lame alibis:    1.   No budget for heavy equipment, dredging

                        2.  Other factors - social, environment;  others thought that they are working  together

.Pity the citizens who pay for this projects.  Pity the flood victims.  Mga kababayan.  Mga kadugo

Flood control projects to mitigate flooding - from Practical Engineering

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We can learn a thing or two from this to be applied to Naga city and/or Bicol region

We humbly submit

We can ask AI too for suggestions

It is a pity that this post is not well read.   Sayang

The Manggahan floodway

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Its operation of floodgates at Manggahan and Napindan, as well as diversion channels could serve as model for the Bicol River basin floodway.

However it has become corrupted

1.  It has become squatters haven, and their septic tank;

2.  It has been heavily silted and only operating at 50% capacity Hence the Ondoy debacle

Representative denies billions for flood control projects in Bicol.

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It was denied   It was said  that Bicol has one of the lowest funding for flood control

As this affect wide area of the country and millions of citizens, the same passion by quadcomm at Congress should be done by Senate for this inquiry.  It is time to stop irregularity for such delicate project like flood control  

Spend the funds properly for the purpose intended,

This post found out that most of flood control projects were for dikes.  Levees.   Our engineers should think out of the box and think beyond dredging and dikes.    There are others that can be explored and that can work.   

There has to be a masterplan.  Not patchwork projects as mentioned in earlier Senate hearing.

These were topics of earlier Senate hearing and nothing seem to be have come of the investigations./hearings

Bagsak presyo ng bangus dahil sa pagtakas sa fishpen dahil sa Kristine

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Yong maliliit ay P15/kg, and P50.00  Many fishpen owners lost money....  I guess the cheap bangus sale was over yesterday. 

Others in the know say that bangus know how to come back to their cages even in a typhoon.  They suggest that seamen took the bangus from their cages..

Flood control measures

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Flood mitigation measures.  

One of the first step is to obtain data and risk assessement of flooding.   Residents should be removed from harms way as those near low lying areas, rivers, lakes.   And permanently declared unhabitable.  The SC Mandamus might help

If it is necessary to declare certain Naga City unhabitable, let it be.  Am sure there are plenty of areas where the residents can be relocated.  We are constantly mired in this cycle of flooding and relief operations   One of the solution is not to have relief operations by stopping the cause

1,  Dams as in Holland.   Several dams were built at rives to  shorten the coastline.  And they were massive.  This was meant to defend the coastline of  Holland form the onslaught of the North Sea.  Remember Holland lies below sea level.  

2.  Dry retention ponds (in parks)  these may be parks or buildings where flood water flow can be diverted so that the flow is slowed down.  It could be football park, or buildings

3.  Separate storm and sewer lines

4.  Straightening storm drains

5.   Egg shaped drain storm drains

6.  Buried tubes to let water seep into the ground   As in Toronto and Tokyo

7.  Green infrastructures (to soak floodwater - sponge)  Shrubs and trees to absorb the flow of flood water

8.  Levees -  the traditional way of flood control.  But they collapse and causes flooding disaster.  

9.  Widening and reclaiming the flood plains for  improved water flow   (But what if the reiver banks have been improved or titled, reclaimed. 

Am sure the MDDRC have these measures that are proactive, not reactive.  

These alone or in combination can be constructed to mitigate flood

Our flood control engineers/geniuses can come up with better ideas. Or ask AI

We humbly submit

The Netherlands model for water management (flood control)

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If they can not control the floods mean that their survival is at risk.  (In fact, thousands died from the North Sea flood)

But the Dutch showed it can be done.  considering the future:   extreme weather, climate change etc.   

Can Bicolanos do this?  Can DPWH -  the chair of appropiations committee, the head of the legislature

Can we have a Delta plan for Naga City (where Bicol and Naga river meet).   We spent billions all ready for flood control     We dont need though that much PHP:   Six billion euros (about 420 billion php)

Japan's massive flood control tunnels

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Has DPWH our geniuses thought of something similar for Bicol?   We had massive budget for Bicol.   P61 billion for the last two years?   We can build open impounding pond or lakek for flood control.  The idea of flood control is to slow down the flow (vs storm drainage to speed up a low.   This post studied flood control early on)

Did their respresentation let them down?     

We can add reforestation reclaiming riverways and waterways from river bank projects.  

P61.42 billion appropiated for Bicol flood control, Sen Villanueva asks for accountability

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Massive budger appropiated for Bicol Flood control.  How come flooding was still massive.  Sen Villanueva asks DPWH to account for the appropriations

The Bicol representation has denied such huge budget and said the Bicol region receives some of the lowest budget for flood control     Let us see.

They must show the projects and try  harder the days to come.  

If ever there was corruption, we pray that their conscience still works.  Sayang pagsisimba.

Conversation on mitigation of floodwaters from #KristinePh typhoon

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This post read a conversation on flood control infrastructures /mitigation measures.   One netizen said that no amount of infrasturctures would have contained the rainwater which was rather high, brought about by typhoon Kristine.    To which another citizen said it is non snese since Japan and Holland were able to do this.  (Even Turkey)  To Dutch, their inability to contain flood would have cost their survival.  

The Japanese has a system that can drain an Olympic sized swimming pool in one second.  

No lame excuses, no limit to what we can do regarding flood control, since life of our countrymen depend on this.  And we have to live in the future with heavy reains  The fact is large amounts, amounting  to trillions all ready for the last 10 years (and even mentioned by PBBM to be total of 5,500 all ready!)

Where did the money go?  Where/what are the infrastructures built?  What happened to the Bicol River Basin Project?

Relief operations, wailing for the dead will not do us good.  We have to proactive approach towards this flood.   Many scientists and engineers would have done their study, and politicians and crooks are blocking the way

Panay River Basin project feasibility study

Ted Failon notes challenges on Vendor's party list

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Broadcaster former Cong Ted Failon notes challenges on the Vendors Party List in a televised videotaped interview with Vendor's Party List:

1.  The No 1 nominee is not merely a vendor, while she maintains that she buys and sells garments and construction material

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2.  She is the President of Olymputs Construction and  Mining company, which has dealing with DPWH totalling almost P200 million and thus not strictly representing small vendors only.

3.  The thrid nominee is also an owner of hardware and construction company, not a small time vendor.

4.  They do not know personally Diwata, the No. 4 nominee and was not nominated in a convention specifically called for such nomination.

The interviewee/resource person appears to have conveniently forgotten the name of Olympus, the transaction with DPWH, the amount, and the business of the nominees (just like other resource persons)

A fake party  list and should be disallowed.?   Another case of abuse, "bstardization"  of party list?

LTO holds in abeyance implementation of penalties on non registration of sale of secondhand vehicle; LTO should green lane the transfer

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The LTO head relented to the complaints of many on P40,000 penalties for non transfer of sale of 2nd hand vehicle. There were numerous objections and protests online.    We do not know when LTO will finally implement.

But LTO should streamline the transfer of sale of 2nd hand motor vehicle.    It is so difficult to transfer DOS of 2nd hand vehicle.  It is so ardous and red tape ridden.    Why dont you try?   

Cong Marcoleta on Quad com - in aid of legislation; dapat oversight committee to investigate investigative bodies

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Noting the comments of Cong Dante Marcoleta on Quadcom:

1.  The legislation to be made should have come ahead instead of the investigation and then the legislation comes.

2.  The legislature should have called upon investigating bodies to account for the investigation rather than doing the investigation themselves;

3.  Allowing a separate Senate committee hearing may not result in similar outcome and throws the two houses in bad light, and cast reasonable doubt and confusion on Quadcomm hearing.

4.  Some declaration affidavits may be hearsay;

5.  Some affidavits were drawn up while under detention and could have written under duress, and may void the written affidavit.   Who provided the computer, the printer, ??

Maritess comment on Kristine path of destruction

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Probably it is a reminder/ call to order by the Lord:

1.  To stop the plunder and other crimes against the Filipino people, especially graft in flood control projects;

2.  To stop the endless inquiry and Congress shows;

3.   To repent wiht our sins...

Exercising tighter supervision; quadcomm inquiry into flood control projects

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We understand that the Philippines 1.   is in the path of no less than 20 typhoons a year.   2.  most of the typhoons carry more moisture (ie rainfall than the earlier ones)  ----> hence we allocate more funds into flood control every appropriations year running into billions.   P1.4 trillion in fact for the past 10 years.  

Many vaunted mega projects on river basins with borrowings from multilateral institutions.  We keep on saying that flood is not a matter of administrative supervision by a town or district but covers a large expanse as in the case of Bicol or Metro Manila.

But nothing seem to be happening in the flood control or mitigating structures.   The photo and video we saw of Bicol ie a bridge connecting Iriga and a town seems to be substandard and devoid of sturdy reinforcement underneath.   How can this happen to a structure that is visible  So what happens to the structure underneath?

Let us make those 5500 flood control projects work.  Let uus not allow our countrymen  tobe in harms way due to flood and typhoon.  There are many things that can be done:

1.  Declare certain area inhabitable.  Remove residents from waterways.  Transfer them to flood free areas.  Revise land use map.   Move away residential areas from flood prone areas as lakes or rives.  Building officials LGU must do their jobs

2.  Use Drones, satellite pictures to study floods.  Refer to big data to study history of flooding  Refer to experts and geniuses in hydrology and flood controls (and there are plenty of them here in the Philippines)

3.  Simulate flood flow using computer models and even scale models.   Use maximum rainfall as we see now for the simulation

4.  Use the best minds to create flood control mitigating measures.   

5.  Mitigating measures/structures could have been built:

      1.  Impounding lakes

      2.  Dredging of silted waterways

      3.  Impounding pons or lakes to slow down the flow

      4   Fllod ways and floodgates as in Manggahan and Napindan channels  (for Naga and Bico rivers

      The Dutch Englishmen Japanese have solved their flooding problems by throwing in a lot of money.  We have thrown in a lot of money too   

I am sure these are being done.   But if there is corruption....

Flood control projects - corruption prone?

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How much has been spent for government flood control project (P1.14 trillion since 2015)?

It is more fun criticizing Cannot be audited? Corruption prone because dredging cant be seen? We appeal to your conscience and Christian religion. Consider the amount of human suffering

Bakit binaha ng ganuong katindi ang Bicol sa typhoon Kristine? Saan napunta ang flood control project funding na daang bilyon?

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We can only cry and pity the poor Bicolanos inundated by flood by rain brough by typhoon Cristine.  And the irony of it all is that the budget for flood control in the 2024 budtet is P255 billion.   Where did the money go?   Were the projects implemented?  Or improperly done

And the irony of it all is that the chairman of the appropiations committee is from Bicol.  The Senate President is from Bicol. 

And the past chair of ways and means committee were from Bicol and we hear about the heavily funded Bicol River Basin project.   

Some Engineers posited that the terrain will lead to the flood.  The 94 km Bicol river coming from as far as Ragay meets the Naga River and when there is high tide all the water meets the flood water at Naga City.   That is catastrophic.   

Typhoon Kristine was an act of God.  But let us see acts of men mitigate this.  We could have done better with flood  control.   

Under ba ito ng DMW, O, classified as OFW - Filipino pickpockets caught in Thailand

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Embarrassing and shameful.   Let us be proud of our own country. No shaming.   

Bicol River Basin project revival; (long overdue 1970 pa ito pinlano!?) too late - but only for weather and flood forecasting

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But it is only for flood forecasting, not flood control and mitigation.

Too late in view of current flooding from typhoon Kristine.

Bicol region sinks from typhoon Kristine?

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Severe flooding at Naga City region due to typhoon Kristine; Bicol River Basin Project unable to mitigate flooding?

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Naga City Cam Sur now flooded due to Typhoon Kristine

There was a FB post regarding severe flooding at Naga City and cites the fact that Naga City is below water sea level and that run offs from higher lying areas would continue to inundate Naga City. as from Rinconada.    WB - Bicol River Basin Project  No less than WB and ADB were involved in these projects

  Was the River Basin project ever completed?   Why did DPWH terminate it? DPWH abolishes Bicol River Basin Project

Calamities as flooding is the audit of all audits, and maybe some of the project components were not really implemented.  Hence the floods

Heroes and criminals? Who determines?

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Some top guys can in the execution of their powers in the govt can be charged as being criminals or later as heroes depending on who rules.   

A general who went after leftist went to jail when the leftists came to power.   Now that PFRRD is out of power, the police generals who staged the war on drug are being run after as criminals.   But did the drug war do something good for the country.  Unless the narrative that the former President is aching to be the new drug Lord.  

In the govt we see former leftists (even a hitman) being in the corridors of power

What happens if there is a new President who wants to get rid of drugs.  Todays criminals, tomorrows heroes

Fmr President unwell and unable to attend Quadcomm meeting - congressmen fume

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Former President Rodrigo Duterte unwell and will not be able to attend Oct 22 Quadcomm meeting. 

Co Chair Paduano, Castro, Manuel  fume...

Chair Barbers was hinted to be partial, despite saying respect for signs of leniency on:   medical certificate and authorization for the counsel who wrote the excuse letter

Its better here abroad : we earn P7,000 a day vs. P500.00 in the Philippines - mag abroad na!

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This is the siren song of OFW attracting fellow workers in the Philippines to join them abroad.  But what the author has conveniently omitted is the cost of livng abroad.  How much does it cost to live aborad?  The P7,000 may not match say P10,000 daily expenses.   Said narrative is OK if you work abroad and send money to the Philippines.

That is why in Canada and USA there is growing trend of homelessness.  There are all ready many street people in those countries.  Are we going to further add to their problems?

This doe not mention cost of travel long distance call and social costs -  juvenile delinquents children third parties, separatin of Husband and wife

Let us just let prosecutors, investigators, courts do their jobs, rather than fracturing our energies towards national development and progress

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Let us just bring the guilty parties if they are to prosecutors and courts and let them do their jobs rather than squandering the hard taxpayers PHP, at the rate of P10,000 per hour, and wasting the time of citizens watching Q and A of resource persons.

While we know this is a waste, this is better than K show or other  YT features or Netflixi series.  

Spare the resource persons the shame, the ordeal, 

Proposed budget and actual revenue collection, financed by borrowing at rate of P5 billion per day

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The proposed budget is P6,352 trillion, and the projected revenue collection of P4.45 trillion or a deficit of P1.902 trillion /365 = 5.21 billion per day.   Thats the amount of borrowing we have to do in a day.     The annual budget is P6.352 =   P17.402 billion per day, sourced from  P12.19 revenues.  And the balance from borrowings.   

We wonder how our congressmen, legislators and govt officials can spend that much, and rely on deficit spending (financed by debt)  So dont wonder why our debt stock that was only P11 trillion at the start of the year is now over P15.00 trillion    As of the end of June 2024, the Philippines' national debt stock was P15.48 trillion. This is a 9.4% increase from the same period in 2023. 

Department of Treasury P15.18 trillion as of February 2024

VP advised to undergo psycho exam because of her recent rants?

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VP Sara was advised because of her recent rants in a recent press conference:   that she will cut the head of PBBM,  get the body of late Apo and throw this to WPS.  This maybe due to height of her frustration with  regards to OVP budget, COA audit her  confidential funds, and Dep Ed ending.     


That PBBM does not know how to govern and lead goes back to her because of her Dep Ed performance and audit results

The OVP must be more specific on her accusation vs PBBM incompetence.  As we know there were specific achievements that PBBM had.   Nothing from her office

Loyalty to her country and to her office dictates that she should not have done said anything.  

Will Gaza war end with killing of Hamas leader?

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Will you again vote for for an actor?

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What are the chances for reelectionists:   Lito Lapid, Goma, 

For the new ones:     Ipe Salvador, Willie Revillame?      

Yahya Sinwar, mastermind of Oct 7 massacre, head of Hamas killed; end of Gaza war?

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Various videos of Yanyan Sinwar, the alleged leader of Hamas who masterminded the Oct 7 2023 massacre of 1,200 Israelis showed his final moments before being killed.  Videos did not lower the morale of Hamas but instead showed Sinwar as hero and martyr, defiantly fighting while clad in in his battle attire, his hands amputated, trying to down a drone with a stick.

DNA and dental records verification showed the corpse identity as that of Sinwar.   Found with him were about $10, candy, UNRW id (confirming IDF assertion that UNRW is front for Hamas) 

But one thing is certain, the wages of sin is death.   The head of the snake has been cut.  And the morale in the rank of of Hamas will decline.  And the end of the war is probably near.   This will cut the desire of many Hamas to seek leadership will decline.   Definitely IDF will find and kill them.  Many Hamas and Hezbollah heads had been neutralized.  And Israle IDF is bent on continuing the war until the last Hamas is neutralized.   

VP Duterte, trapped into a corner says these in frustration

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VP Duterte, being checkmated into a corner calls for a press conference, and says these awful things under duress.  How unwise of her to call for desecration of the olds remains to be thrown at WPS.  

But one can say that having felt betrayal.  They went into a Uniteam for a winning team, for PBBM to win at Visayas and Mindanao and VPD to win in Luzon.  The latter to be given immunity for ICC on EJK.  But now her budget has been cut and FPRD will be  thrown to ICC after all.

But OVP has to explain her use of funds in OVP and at DepEd properly to the public.  They did not look nice.   Even her Usec Densing at Dep Ed looked ugly for the school building program (Densing was a colleague professor at a GSB and was surprised at Pimentels accussation, given that they are both from Mindanao.  I hope these are false)

Sowing confusion from resource persons under duress?

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One wonders at current legislative hearings whether the declaration so resouurce person can be confirmed or verified.   These can be squid tactics to remove pressures off themselves.  But we can not disount the possibility that they are true and will further pin down the accountability of persons mentioned.  

Pattern of prosecution of former Presidents

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We can see a pattern:    former Presidents being persectured/prosecuted after their reign,:   Erap, GMA, and now FPRD.  Noynoy could have been but unfortunately he died.

The question being raised is the Presidential Immunity for act committed as duly elected President during their reign.  The same question raised at USA.

Is this a good trend?   I would not run for President, given the precedent.   

New DILG secretary - Jon Vic Remulla; not Ace Barbers

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It is reported that Gov. Jon Vic Remulla, the brother of DOJ Secretary Boying Remulla will take his oath today as the new DILG Secretary, vice Ben Hur Abalos who is running for senator.

Hmmm.   No Anti Dynasty in Cabinet positions.     There is always a first time.  

New DILG secretary

More powerful line up of senatorial candidates; difficult to get in magic 12?!

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Voters have more choices for senators in 2025.   there are more qualified candidates and we expect better legislation?

Thisi list was from a survey;  some of them have not filed their COC yet.   Last day of filing today.  

Following Tulfo and Duterte are Sens. Pia Cayetano and Bong Go, former senator and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao,  Sen. Imee Marcos, former Senate president Vicente Sotto III, Sen. Lito Lapid, former senator Panfilo Lacson, former vice president Jejomar Binay 

Outside the so-called Magic 12 were Sen. Bong Revilla, former interior secretary and senator Mar Roxas, former senator Gringo Honasan, retired General Ariel Querubin, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, former vice president Noli de Castro, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, former senators Francis Pangilinan and Franklin Drilon,  Quezon  and Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos.

Trailing them were lawyer Chel Diokno, Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez, former senators Bam Aquino former police chief Guillermo Eleazar, former senator Richard Gordon,  Sen. Francis Tolentino and former senator Serge Osmeña III.

Can the evidence at quadcomm hearings send the parties to jail? What is the truth?

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If the investigations being conducted were to be endorsed to coutrts, can the parties be hailed to jail.   One of the lawyers said that so far, the facts being mentioned are ciurcumstantial and nothing has been shown or proven the guilt beyond reasonable doubt of his client.

We can not blame the parties from denying, or say lying, under oath, because they can indict hemselves come court time.   

So far we have affidavits and sometimes hearsays in th hearing, or maritess stuff.   That there were meetings, and purported verbal orders or calls can not methinks send the alleged guilty parties to prison sentences.   I am sure the police offcers were smart enough not leave any smoking guns.   

Or can the trail of narratives when taken up at courts can lead to  conviction or lay blame on past Presidents. 

The venue was public opinion and the way the hearings were conducted were to sway public opinion.  Again we cant prove  here any truth so with the investigations.    We are left asking the question :   "What is the truth>

Has Japan economy stalled?

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The secret to their economic miracle were:   keiretsu, MITI, exports, and extreme cooperation across society.  Kaizen, processes, JIT, Deming on quality

Their collapse was triggered by the events of lost decade.  People speculated on real estate because of low BOJ interest  rate.  Companies attetnion to maintaining market share and productivity were diverted to real estate speculation.  When BOJ increased interest rates, Japans economy was doomed.  Many companies shuttered.  

The more important thing is culture.  Japan's culture does not encourage change/innovation

Population is declining.   More aged people deominate the population

Rappler on Garma, Leonardo and Duterte

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Its really more fun watching these quadcomm hearing and reading articles on this.  This is so surreal.  And one wonders really about the truth.  Its like comparing Islam vs Christianity.   

One begins to conclude that the truth is what you believe in.  Since these officers support the "drug war" and which they conclude is good for the country, "para sa bayan"  nothing was perceived in this pursuit as wrong.  However the killings associated with sharing the spoils of power, as in PCSO, the remittance of money to X, are totally wrong.

Its a waste of talent if indeed these officers will be charged as criminals.   IN the eyes of PD30, and his allies, these officers were heros and were idols of the administration

One can speculate and observe the following:

1.  While many have criticized the Legislature for engaging in prosecution work, the results that it has achieved now would not be possible if CIDG were to do it (no investigation would ever happen) with NBI, with low level prosecutors.   Generals and senior officers would not even appear nor speak.  We thank the quad com

2.  PNPA vs PMA yers conflict

3.   Coddliing of police by the executive branch.  PNP as private army of the exuctives:    National, and lgus.  As it was in the beginning

4.  Corrupation and graft at all levels.   Gambling lottery and POGO as the root of all evil.   

5.   Was this a political strategy?  Achieving quad results?

6.  Betrayal change of alliiance due to change in power structure.   Loyalty, being from the same place does not breed alliance and permanence

Rappler on Leonardo, Garma, PCSO

Has Philippines become a US proxy in Asia?

It is more fun criticizing

There are often mentions of Iranian proxies in ME likek Houtis, Yemenis, Hezbollah.   Parties that are being supplied seapons and financial support by Iran to fight Isreal and US.

Now in Asia, US has lent us weapons and $500 million to help build bases to whose goal presumably is to neutralize China.    Loads of armaments were offladed at SBMA and Clark.

Is PhL now a US proxy?   Will this make PHL a magnet for China first strike wince there are US missles in teh country?

No way PHL can control political dynasties - its the human nature, its part of human history?

It is more fun criticizing

It was reported that there would soon be 5 Tulfos in the governement, 3 Villars. at the Senate.  There are 2 Ejercitos too, 2 Cayetanos.  We are still waiting for the Dutertes to come forward as announced prior.  Then the Marcoses:   BBM, Imee, Sandro, Romuladez.   We do not know the extent of dynasties in the province:   Ortega, Espino,  Singson, Ampatuan, Daza,  Hernandez, Suarez,  Lagman,  Co and many more.   

  What else is new.   This happens despite the constitutional provision against political dynasties.  This is the ideal as in US.  But then we have to admit we are not US

So far several Congresses have failed to pass enabling laws, despite the huge number of legislators enabling legistlation to control dynasties.    

When we look at the Roman empires, the norm of the day was having family dynasties ruling Rome.   Leadership were passed on from parent Emperors to their children.  

Ace Barbers, former Duterte ally shifts alliance to PBBM

It is more fun criticizing

Ace Bsrbers, a politician from Mindanao and former ally of the Duterte, has shifted alliance to PBBM. He heads the quad comm in Congress, whose investigation were clearly against the Dutertes.  

He is reported to be replacing Ben Abalos of DILG who is considered resigned after filing COC for administration senatorial slate

Ace Barbers shift alliance

Increase in airport fees: parking, take off and landing fees trigger criticisms/protests

It is more fun criticizing

After take over of the NAIA terminals, SMC has jacked up fees:   parking and landing and take off fees for airlines.  While the increase in fees are meant to raise funds for the privatization and promote efficiency in operations.  various objections and criticisms have been raised:

     1.   SMC has not shown improvements yet in the operations of the airport, why the sudden increase in

           rates;

     2.  The higher landing and take off fees, which could be one of the highest in the world may:

          1.  Drive other airlines away from Philippines as destination

          2.  Will be simply passed on to the consumers

    3.  Such resulting higher costs are cases vs privatization.  A public consultation is being desired by many netizens.  

    4.  The 300 to 400% increase in fees are way too high and suddden (dapat staggered?)

These moves run counter to RSA values of serving others first before profit (or was this a misdirection)

Will the $35 trillion US debt an economic apoclypse to the world?

It is more fun criticizing

Noted in the world economic landscape:

    1.  China and Japan dumping US treasuries

    2.  No attempt by US lawmakers to stop deficit spending.  It is growing by $100 billion a month

    3.  BRICS nation making moves to dedollarize the world econonmy.

Elon Musk warns of economic cataclysm from this huge US debt.  There is no need to wait for the Biblical apocalypse.  It can happpen anytime soon

What could happen if US dollar/economy eollapses?

     1.   Dollar would be dumped as currency for world trade, US dollar returns to US domestic economy

     2.  The huge influx of dollar would drive hyperinflaction in US

     3.   Hyper inflation would drive down values of dollar now a reserve currency and destroy many

           central banks,   World economy can collapse

     4.   Millions, possibly billions of dollar holders would be driven to poverty.

     5.  World poverty follows.  

BIR chief finds P3T revenue collection target challenging

It is more fun criticizing

Despite additional take from digital services which could total P100 billion in the next five years, BIR chief finds meeting the P3t revenue target to be challenging.

However do our appropiations congressmen put restraint in spending?   Or shall we continue to be profligate and rely more on borrowings further increasing the P15t debt pile?     

May tax na sa online sellers, digital services - 1%

It is more fun criticizing

The President has approved a bill prescribing taxes for on line sellers.   Will this  result in rise in prices of goods from Lazada or Shopee?

Can BIR meet their target (they are not likely to do so) ?

JPE, Gigi Reyes, Napoles acquitted of plunder; what goes

It is more fun criticizing

After 10 years, judgement was finally rendered on JPE, Napoles, Gigi Reyes plunder case.  Acquittal.  No sufficient evidence that JPE, GR received the kickbacks.    It would seem that bank transfer and other electronic means of transfer are not the same as personally receiving the money.  

This post congratulates the brilliance of  EM is in his advocacy as lawyer.   I heard he charges P5M as acceptance fee.    And probably a lot more for winning this case.  

Really justice is about getting a good lawyer.   What happens upon demise of EM

Ano say mo sa party list? Useful ba sa pag unlad ng bansa - Pakinggan si Ted Failon

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Nagagalit si Ted FAilon.  Ikaw ba natutuwa?

Pag aaral experience ng mga kandidado bilang public servant imporante.

It is more fun criticizing

Sa mga Chinese sa ilalim ang Confucianism, mahalaga ang public servant ang REN.   Ang ideal man at ito ay dapat edukado.  

Dapat ito ay pagtuunan ng pagsusuri ng namamahala sa halalan.  Pero ang mahalaga ata ay ang pagiging populad.   

Nakakatawa sa mga debate at sa kongreso at  senado ang pagpapakita ng pagkukulang ng ating mga nahalalal.  

Itass natin ang standard sa pagpili ng lider.   We deserve what we get.

Papataas ang PSEI, asensado ang local bourse; nakasama ka ba?

It is more fun criticizing

Mahaabang panahon na sadsad ang index ng PSEI at patay halos ang stock market simula ng pandemya.  Pero ngayon asensado at nilagpasan ang threshold na 7,000.

Nakasama sa ba sa pagtaas na ito at tumubo ka?

Tataas air travel sa local and international destination?

It is more fun criticizing

What worries most is not the cost of parking at NAIA airport, but the future of cost of air travel.  There were allegations that landiing fees would go up by 3x the current landing fees.   The price of tickets would go up and the days of P1 ticket would be over.

Does the new management of NAIA  have the capability to ease up the airport landing and take off traffic with one landing strip?   Can it make the customes and immigration queue faster (these are govt agencies).

Will things be better at our airport  or same with higher fees?

We dont mind the higher fees, but things must get better

MIAA ups fees for airlines beginning this month

Success story; papasok sa pulitika soon?

It is more fun criticizing

Nagtagumpay sa negosyong pinasok;   bilyonaryo na ngayon.    Nagkanegosyo sa DPWH?

Mayhidwaan na  namumuno sa LGU dahil makakalaban sa pagkayorme?

Happy Teacher's day

It is more fun criticizing

We owe what we are now to our Teachers.   Salamat po

Philip Salvador, a PRRD candidate files COC

It is more fun criticizing

Former actor Philip Salvador filed his COC for Senate together with other PRRD candidates.

What was interesting was the candidate lost his cool and cursed in another video.   He lost it?

     

Should we rejoice and say its God's vengeance vs its people if there are floods in their country?

It is more fun criticizing

I dare say not.   While typhoons and floods are Acts of God (AOG or AON - acts of nature), we can not say its Gods wrath for CCG incursion vs our military in WPS.  It also floods in North Carolina and rest of USA as result of Hurricane Helene, and also in Taiwan (because of typhoon Julian)

While the imperialistic leaders of China are to ber rebuked, the rest of Chiinese nation who are just like us, want peace and prosperity.   

It also floods and we are also destroyed when typhoons pass by.  

Let us not gloat over these events as Gods vengeance for us (but may be vs all the sinful people)?

Tsampyon ang Senador (sa basketball tournament) vs mga Heneral

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Biinabati ng pahinang ito ang mga Senador Cavaliers sa pamumuno nina Sens. Sonny Angara, Bong Go at Joel Villanueva na nagwagi vs mga opisyal ng miltar sa torneyo ng basketball sa sponsorschip ng UNTV Sila ay nagwagi ng P1M na ibabahagi sa mga charity.

Sonny Angara will no longer plays being a DepEd secretary,   Sen Joel played despite still being on rehab after an operation

Mabuhay.   Congratulations

Senate cavaliers, back to back champion

A businesswoman contractor for DPWH reported to be eyeing top post in MM city; does she have a chance?

It is more fun criticizing

A businesswoman reported to be a DPWH contractor, owning 40 luxury cars is reported to be eyeing top post in MM city.  She is running against a very young mayor son of celebreties.  Does she have a chance. ?

All ready citizens are reacting vs her being a DPWH contractor and owning luxury  czrs.   Will she care for the poor of the city?

NAIA modernization privatization on track

It is more fun criticizing

The NAIA modernization turn over to SMC is on track.   SMC paid the up front P30 b fee for the take over.   All ready the visible sign of the take over is the increase of parking fee, especially  the overnight parking fee.  Some observation:

    1.  Netizens have remarked that this is a case vs privatization -  fees go up as in toll fees for rexpressway.   The terminal fee are expectted to go up as well.

    2.  The parking lots are noticeably empty because of increased fees.

   3.  ADB, Sec Jaime Bautista SMC have been called out for the sudden quantum jump in fees.

Is the privatization of the terminal beneficial for many?  Is it good for all?  Is in in accordance with the announced mission of SMC

Businesses are not primarily for profit but for the good of many, as service to many

Can we reform the system by being UZI, watchers?

It is more fun criticizing

Earlier during the day, I dm 'ed an acquaintaince inquiring about party list list for automobile owners.  I knew him from motoring activites, he writes about motoring, an officer of an auto club.   He said there was none.   I said may be we should have one with him as the nominee.  He has a famous easy to recall name, and is known to be passionate about motoring .   Anyway, vendors have their own party list, as do motorcyclists.  Why is there none for motorists.

He politely declined.

Later during the day, the acquaintaince decried the on going  waste of time on INVESTIGATIONS in aid of legislation.  Clearly there was misdirected activities in the said body and is these events are being used for other purposes.   

That can be stopped if the said individual is all ready a congressman.   As a Party List representative.  We cant reform as wathcers.    WE hve to be in that body to have a voice to be listened to .  And then things can change

Can Comelec rationalize rules on Election esp on qualifications

It is more fun criticizing

Many are aghast over the continued proliferations of candidates and elected officials:

1.  Who are popular but unqualified for tasks before them like managerials tasks, leading, and or technical capability to make laws:

2.  Although not convicted yet (on account of their connections) have dubious records about morality or their integrity   Thus 

We have highest positions in the land populated by:

    1.  Comedians (they become laughing stocks of public and colleague.

    2.  Incompetents

    3.   Ex cons (3 in Senate)  how many more at Congress

    4.  Alleged drug addict at the highest position

Let us make our election process stand out be clean, and select real leaders

Masterclass in strategy and demolition jobs

It is more fun criticizing

There is no impeachment yet, but the quad com investigations are master class in power struggle, and demolition jobs.   The budget hearing,  Alice Guo, Garma, investigations Tony Yan investigations have adroitly and indirectly were telling us that all roads lead to a southern province city in the Mindanao.  

Survey have shown that ratings of the lady who would be queen in 2028 have dramatically gone down.  And the ratings of the Congress heir apparent to the throne would have gone up.

There is no need to impeach.  The stocks of theformer Pres and his daughter are all but destroyed.   

When shall we ever learn from tragedies involving field trip of children?

It is more fun criticizing

We had this in the locality.  Several schoolchildren and teachers (including a principal) died in a field trip to Batangas.   Did we stop this or took safety measures to prevent similar incidents.  I believe from the number of buses Ii still see on the road, the practice continues.

And so we had 25 dead,children and teachers from a fire running on LPG in Thailand.  Then we see video of enumeration of safety features of buses.

Some interim measures are in order:

1.  Stop field trips immediately.

2.  Subject buses to be used for safety inspection and upgrade, retrofitted with safety features.

3.   There should be a reminder of safety feature of the bus before each trip, and safety cards at the seat.

4.   Training of bus personnel on safety and evacuation during fires.

5.   Rule out buses that are deemed dangerous eg running on LPG, on hydrogen, on EVs unless they can be proven that they are fire proof.   

Party List nominee for bikers and motorists

It is more fun criticizing

If Diwata can represent the vendors then we need nominees for bikers like ARF, and for motorists Robbie Consunji.  They still have several days to file.   Am sure they will get elected and will have their offices, staff, and budget. Sayang.  

CNG powered bus sa Thailand galing sa field trip, 23 mga bata at guro namatay

It is more fun criticizing

Kalunos lunos ang nangyari sa mga batang nagfield trip sa Thailand.  Nasunog ang CNG powered bus na sinakyan nila 23 estudyante at guro binawian ng buhay.

Ang RE ay may dalang panganib gaya ng  EV na sumisiklab, at gaya ng bus na ito.

Prayers at condolence sa mga pamilya ng batnng ito       

Road rage ng pulis, matapos masagi ng truck driver kotse - nanutok ng baril, nanapak pa

It is more fun criticizing

Nararapat ba itong aksyon ng pulis?  Nakakatakot yata/   Dapat disiplinahin ang alagad ng batas.  na ito.

May mas sibilisadong paraan  para maayos ang ganitong sagian.

Labis na nakakabahala, nakakatakot sa mga may kapangyarihan.  Sapakan Tutukan agad.  Lawless land?

Will candidates running independently win in the elections

It is more fun criticizing

In our LGU we saw the new line up for councilor, VM, and Mayor to the midterm elections.   Clearly a pair of candidates were left out for unknown reason.

Surely they will run as independent.  Will can they win?

Diwata as nominee for Vendor's Party List

It is more fun criticizing

Mr Diwata Valbuena alias Diwata Pares represented the Vendors Party List today.   So this is a great move to represent this sector of the society.

What matters most is the popularity of the personl   Diwata featured prominently in the social media.

As usual, popularity count not the ability to innovate and create laws that will benefit the masses   Hence we havve actors and acresses heading to the top leadership position in the country.  Are we happy with their performance.   Did they do well>

When can our standards for election change.  We deserve what we get.