A swarm of earthquakes hit the Philippines yesterday, July 29,2026. Pray for us (Related to Japan earthquake?

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Philippines hit by 77 earthquakes in the past 24 hours.  Thats a lot.  Those that were felt were about 5...

From volcano discovery

We are so blessed?  Thats a lot.  Thats on top of strong rains leading to flooding. 

In the past 24 hours, Philippines has had 77 quakes of magnitudes up to 5.4:

• 4 quakes above magnitude 5
• 2 quakes between magnitude 4 and 5
• 16 quakes between magnitude 3 and 4
• 39 quakes between magnitude 2 and 3
• 16 quakes below magnitude 2 that people normally don't feel.

Number of quakes per year

Year	--
Earthquakes M2+	--
Earthquakes M3+	--

  

Latest quakes in the Philippines in the past 24 hours on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 - list, stats and map

Magnitude 5.1 Earthquake Philippine Sea, Bicol, Philippines widely felt - 9 hours ago

Latest today See all	Mag. 2.3 earthquake Philippines: 043 km N 69° E of Prieto Diaz (Sorsogon) - 14 minutes ago
Latest felt	Mag. 2.2 earthquake Sulu Sea - 19 km west of Hinigaran, Philippines -
Strongest today	Mag. 5.4 Philippine Sea - 51 km east of Rapu Rapu Island, Philippines -

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Making the poor productive (or restoring wealth); or how leaders destroy the country they lead

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This post is alarmed at so many welfare programs in cash in form of "ayuda" that are definitely draining the treasury.    At the same time we see lack of support to the sector that pays it all:   the taxpayers... The Revenue offices and the LGU s are bearing hard on tax payers:   support for the unproductive sector of the economy and difficulties for those who generate the revenue.  Developing human resources.  Thats our purpose in life:   to develop our gifts and use it to advance the world.    Not promote dependence an mendicancy

We were taught in grad school is social philosophy that the goal of the govt is to make the poor productive and not creating a welfare state.   Social states were not productive and failed.  Look at Venenzuela to see why its economy is in shambles.

And yet this persists in the country and to fund huge social welfare programs, the country has to borrow in trillions   Wait to see the consequence

This post avoids long discourse on this topic;   its beyond the scope of this article...

While we need to help those who cant eke out their living and have challenges, most of the fund can be used to fund:   training to be more productivee, livelihood programs, increasing farm productivity.   Of course corruption has removed most of the resources for these programs

Germany's Chancellor Merz - social welfare state no longer financially viable

Welfare state

You Tube - Venenzuela economic collapse

Both internal and external factors throttling efforts of BSP to contain inflation

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Philstar - Inflation shocks tests BSP policy directions

Higher fuel prices (external)  weakened peso and the very sharp wage increase of 12% (vs projected 5% baseline) could upset  the BSP efforts to contain the 7% inflation the country is facing.  High prices is a complaint by many sectors of the economy.  The wage increas in MM which took effect July 24 could add as much as 0.4% to inflation...

Using two govt agencies ICC to intimidate detractors and opposition at Senate is brilliant and masterful

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The strategy   is really masterful.  The brilliant senators have no choice but to capitulate.  Take Marcoleta.    Couple that with Bendalo.   Brilliant lawyering though could disentangle the mess,  But in the meantime, Marcoleta has no choice but to stay silent inside a jail.   Bato is into hiding

A brilliant genius strategist behind the scenes?

Let us not forget the ICC;   see how the govt has even disappointed Trump regarding ICC.   

Why is such rabid strategy being used vs Senators and others standing for the truth.    Just remember, everything that is good must come to an end.  Karma is real. 

Expect revenge though, counter attack.  Do not wound the adversaries.  They will bite back

 

Inaalis na bara ng Manggahan floodway finally

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Dapat lang.  Kasi unang babahain ay Malacanang.  Ang floodway ay dinidivert ang floodwaters ng Marikina river, at iniimbak muna sa Laguna Lake bago unti until itong inalalabas sa Manila bay.   Kung di ito ma iidivert, dirediretso ito sa Pasig River, at sa Malacanang...Bukod sa maleta, baha ng tubig ang papasok dito.

Kaya kailangan itong alisan ng bara...  (Ginagawa na yata?)

Hurry up guys the typhoons, big ones are coming and are hitting us with incessant deluge.   

Totoo kaya ito? Partner ng isang sikat na loding artista; malaki daw ang contribution sa kandidatura ng namumuno? Saan ililipat?

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Will can the Senate judges impeach the VP

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Since the impeachment  trials have been the spectator sports lately (for which the nation spends millions daily) we might as well join the fray.

Despite all the efforts to diminish the opposition votes to free the subject VP,  the Chief Judge Escudero made the the ruling and others too, that 16 is the magic number of vote to impeach the VP.   They only have 13 at the moment  If the ruling of was 2/3 of members present (minus Marcoleta, Jinggoy E,  Bato, that would mean 2/3 x  21 = 14.  Just one swing vote....

Ombudsman readies charges for preliminary investigation vs alleged leaders in flood control scandal ahead of SONA

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Ombudsman file cases for preliminary investigation

Monday will the fifth SONA of the PBBM regime;   only 2 legislation for this year vs 50 or so planned.  What a legislatie achievement for a body with a trillion budget.   

Perhaps too will be the announcement that the administration has taken punitive steps vs flood control sheniggans... And so before Monday SONA, the Ombudsman is a hasty manner has filed a 104 page complaint vs the President's relative and Z Co so that a preliminary investigation.   And as usual the legal team of the said party has said the congressman is ready to face the charges.  And the PR legal stance is that the good legislator is in no way connected to the corruption charges.   

Why just now before the SONA?  For its PR effect?

And the guess is he will get away with it... What do you think.?

In the meantime enjoy watching the horrendous flood videos and pictures....Why did this happen.?  Blame climate change?   Well zillions were budgetted for this allegedly to mitigate the flooding dire consequences.    Despite the huge budget running into billions, were there scientific and serious studies, plans vs the flood and recognizign that some 20 typhoons visit the country annually and that climate change has made them more severe?

On impeachment: commentaries (not conclusion)

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This post concerns commentaries regarding the "pasabog testimony"  of the last witness for the Art. IV of the impeachment vs VP Duterte.

The testimony of the star witness was considereably weakened and holes found (not enough evidence and or preparation?

1.  The continued answer of the good director saying he has direct personal knowledge of the investigation made by the agents, and previous to his appointment.    He has therefore impeached himself as a credible witness for being a hearsay witness  (Article 130 Section 22 where Vinluan reviewed the 29 year law veteran on the subject) , and admitting that his wife, a congresswoman (who sponsored the impeachment

2.  Pia Cayetanos pointing out that the good director was not 100% truthful in his communications regading the Senate GSIS  incident and that impeaches the witness.  

3.   The director was not subpoenaed but merely invited by the  prosecution

4.  The continued effort and as objected to by the Prosecution to make legal conclusions on the facts presented as with the Kapunan speech.    The Chief Judge continued to remind the prosecution ot stop making conclusion on the evidence presented.   It is for the Court to decide. The NBI director, it would seem did not stop to make conclusion.   It is often the danger to invite a judge, a DOJ employee to make judgement as they are asked questions in the court - they can make conclusion and draw away the judges from the main agenda of the case.    Propaganda statements could be made.   

5  While the prosecution maintained that it is not a court proceeding, nevertheless, the rules of evidence was in effect.   And the Article 130 sec 22 did in the good witness.     

6.  The Prosecution does not seem to have enough solid evidences, nor proponderance as was the request ot subpoena bank records   Is the fishing for evidence statement correct?  

The Lascana affidavit was neither signed nor notarized

According to one post, 7/10 citizens are not interested to view the  impeachment proceeding which according to them has become very technical....  Full of legalese, technicalities, and  difficult to follow and understand

When is somebody an expert? - you need 10,000 hours experience

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10,000 hours to be an expert

In the current impeachment trial, some personalities were presented as experts.   "forensic expert"  It turns out that the said witness only spent two months in the field

As per Malcolm Gladwell in his book "Outliers"  you can only be considered an expert when you have been exposed and spent 10,000 in the said field (or roughtly 10 years.

We should be more careful in using the term

Impeachment cross examination of witnesses - a masterclass in logic, being detailed, and critical thinking

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Some people including some senators are shrugging off the nitty gritty of cross exam of the witness, saying its useless (and further triggering off lawyers vs non lawyers in the chamber conflict)  However, for me, as studenet of logic and critical thinking, this hearings just like Corona case are living example of fine thinking:   logic, critical thinking.

So far, yesterday, with cross of Atty Vinluan the defense, tipped the balance of facts in favor  of the defense, if this post may give an opinion:

1.  Unsigned unverified affidavit and comparing this with ICC;

2.  Hearsay prior to the appointment as NBi director and yet makes comment on the investigation report

     That further weakens the affidavit of agents which mas made prior to his appointment.   Without             ownership..

3.  Presumed bias due to

     1.  The wife is a congresswoman who endorsed the impeachment

     2.  Theh witness  has a column which has negative view of the person being impeached

4.  The witness was not subpoenad, but volunteered

5.  The witness did not answer on yes or no but argues (and thus leads the court)  and makes his opinion

      (to sway court).  Not being called out by the court?

6.  Continuing investigation.   Therefore the affidavit of investigation  being incomplete cant constitute valid and legal evidence vs the perosn being impeached

This post does not intend to sway nor influence the outcome of said proceeding but merely points out the defects in logic, and education on critical thinking.  However this is weak day for the prosecution.

However I want to take advantage of the billions being spent on this proceeding to benefit my self improvement and continuing education

However, the agents of the bureau committed typo errors weakening their testimonies.  And their credibility.  (Not to mention their pending cases)

Move on or walk on in the floodwaters?

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Should we now ignore the floods, move on away from flood control scandals?  These videos are grim reminders that that pronouncement could be misplaced?  Arent the floods paralyzing traffic, commerce and daily life of citizens.

What will be priority if you cant work, and the economy stands still because of the flood (that should be mitigated due to misplaced and/or stolen billions?)

Historic wage increase of P85.00 or 12% can hurt the BSP efforts to control inflation

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DOLE secretary  Tolentino announced an P85.00 salary increase for MM, or a historic 12.22%  (P85/695).  The BSP head is worried about its impact on inflation that it is trying very hard to control (now currently at 7%).    A certain employers sector is worried too about the accompanying productivity that the said increase would produce.   Without an accompanying productivity its bound to produce additional woes to all ready bad situation:     inability to meet GDP growth target, loss of jobs (23%),

rising prices (expect more of that), downgrading of PHL by Fitch.

Before our concern was providing jobs but wages that are in the near P20k will be difficult to sustain.  Employers will cut back and resort to mechanization and automation  Surely, AI is here to assist in this difficult situation.   Employers can manage, but what about the workers.  Every solution produces its own problems (11 laws of systems principles) and this post expects this to be managed well. 

Visayan pirates marauded China in 11th century AD; lets bring them back

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Whose afraid of the Chinese now.   (Yes they are our friends.  They too should be friendly too with us)

Gone were the days when the Visayan pintados attacked their villages.    May the spirit of the ancestors guide us in these difficult times    That the said people want to dominate us.    They should be the one who should be cautious   

We share the same plight during typhoons and other disasters (earthquakes) being neighbors.  Some of the richest in the PHL came from China, including the current SP.    

They rode on boats called balangay.   

This was during the time of Song dynasty (They were right about  ancestors of Cong Sung Tay ha6)

Does this mean that PHL before has conquered China (in particular Visayans?)

Manila DND chief dismisses scholars claim that Batanes is part of China

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 There is a recent claim by Chinese scholars that Batanes is part of Chine. The DND DFA have all ready denied and disagreed with this claim.  The soc media is filled with funny comments regarding this latest claim Some parties claim that China is a province of the Phil and probably part of greater Binondo.

The Chinese are good people and only those in the military or those who are agressive and are hawks hav ethis opinion,  Chinese are good people, love good food, are intelligent and reasonable.  We share the same typhoons, and flood  and we take pity on those affected by typhoons that hit the PhL too.   No time to trade barbs on petty things...

Typhoons and the Senator suggestion that we leave flood control invetigations alone; isnt flooding a major concern?

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Typhoon Inday  (Intl name Fung Wong)  is throwing the entire country into a floodbath (not blood bath) and showing  proofs of neglect of the flood problem and why really there could be corruption  The money drawn and spent did not go to flood control projects.  The billions went elsewhere , otherwise it would not be as bad as this.  

We had 9 past Presidents who were lawyers, 2 were bar topnotchers... and now our President is....

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We had 9 past Presidents who were lawyers and two were bar topnotcher.   Cong Dadong and Manuel Roxas.  Our President now is....

How did we put him in office?.  Now our country belong to the dogs.   We are wallowing in the dregs of floods and corruption.  

We cant blame anyone.  We elected him fair and square.  But later on lets learn and elect capable and inteligent good President.  Not   like this one...

Resumption of hostilities in Iran; what it means to the world?

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Pagsasanay sa Critical Thinking, review sa impeachment trial

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Isang importanteng natutunan ko post grad ay ang critical thinking na hindi naituro sa undergrad at maski sa MBA na kinuha.   Natutunan ko ito sa mga seminar ng kapwa ko nagtuturo

Hindi mo dapat tanggaping tama ang lahat ng narininig mo.  Tanungin ichallenge mo ang mga salita na narinig mo:

1.  Tama ba ng mga sinasabi?  I compare mo sa actual.

2.  Tama ba ang hypothesis at assumption

3.   Tama ba ang conclusion?  Tama ba ng logic

4.   Tama ba ang conclusion.

Ang naniniwala sa system principle ay hindi magcoconlusion ng  cause and effect ay linear

Maraming sinsabi sa dyaryo sa mga soc media at mga comentaryo ay hindi sumusunod sa critical thinking.    At marami sa mga kuwento sa ating narinig at nababasa ay hindi tama.  Ako ay nagtataka kung bakit marami akong kakilala at kaibigan ay naniniwala sa mali (Maaring dahil sa Php at puwersa ng dami ng mga trolls.

Subalit sa impeachment trial sa mga cross examination ng abogado at presentation ng ebidensiay ay makikita natin ang mga maling narrrative.   Bakit may invesitgasyon wala namang comlaint (yong heneral na navideohan na nanutok ng baril hindi makasuhan dahil walang complaint).    May confirmado bang nadeterminadong hitman?    

Marami talagang lawbenders at marami tayong nakikita na sa boses, compas ng kamay  at look of authority ay nagagawang implewensiyahan ang huwes eh mga mali naman logic.