Liberal Party losing power quickly

The Liberal Party (LP) is losing power swiftly and drastically as more than a dozen of its members from the Visayas have abandoned Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. to join presumptive President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s emerging coalition in the House of Representatives.

Negros Oriental Rep. Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, a former LP  member who ran for reelection as an independent in the May 9 elections, was the lead signatory among members of the Visayas bloc who signed a declaration of support for incoming Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez in the race for the Speaker of the House in the 17th Congress.

image source: google.com

Alvarez is a member of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and Duterte’s personal choice for Speaker of the House in his administration.

Read: Liberal Party, nakinabang umano sa mga pandaraya.

Benitez arranged a meeting between Alvarez and Visayas bloc members on Wednesday to enable the comebacking representative (Alvarez served one term in the House together with Duterte, from 1998 to 2001). Benitez was aiming for at least 45 names on the declaration.

“We, the members of the Visayas bloc, extend our cooperation and support to the incoming Duterte administration in its pursuit [of] development and enactment of propeople and developmental policies and programs for our country,” said the declaration signed by 30 lawmakers from the Visayas region, a third of whom were from the LP.

Signatories

The LP members who have signed the declaration were Representatives Jerry Treñas, Richard Garin and Arthur Defensor Jr. of Iloilo City; Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar; Lucy Torres-Gomez of Leyte; Rene Relampagos of Bohol; Cesar V. Sarmiento of Catanduanes; Paolo Javier of Antique, and Gerald Gullas of Cebu.

AAMBIS-OWA Rep. Sharon Garin, a sister-in-law of outgoing Health Secretary Janette Garin, also signed the declaration.

Other representatives who signed the declaration were Lucille Nava of Guimaras; Henry Ong of Leyte; Raul Tupas of Iloilo; Melecio Yap and  Manuel Sagarbarris of Negros Occidental; Greg Gasataya of Bacolod City, and Arnie Teves of Negros Oriental.

Alvarez has already gained more than enough support to win the race for the speakership  even though the PDP-Laban has only three members in the House—Valenzuela Rep. Eric Martinez, Lanao del Sur Rep. Jun Papandayan, and Alvarez.

Just 12 days after the elections, Alvarez has obtained the support of the Nacionalista Party, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, the 45-member party-list coalition, the Nationalist People’s Coalition and the National Unity Party.

Alvarez earlier said that he expected at least 50 members of the 114 LP members in the House to join the coalition.

Belmonte’s plan

Outgoing Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad, an LP stalwart, on Saturday said the future of the party in the House depended on whether Belmonte would challenge Alvarez for the speakership.
Abad said he expected some of the 114 Liberals in the House to fall out, and that President Aquino, the titular head of the party, would be “concerned” about that.

“There has to be a meeting first where the Speaker would have to tell us what his plans are, if the decision is to support the incoming administration and join the House majority in a coalition with PDP-Laban,” he said.

But with LP members defecting en masse to PDP-Laban in the mad scramble for juicy positions, Belmonte conceded defeat in the battle for the speakership a day after gathering close to 100 party members at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel on Thursday.

Joining the majority

Belmonte, however, has not yet made up his mind whether to be the minority leader or join other LP members in the majority coalition.

But a source told the Inquirer that Belmonte himself brokered the transfer of the bulk of LP members to the majority bloc when he met with Alvarez at his home a few days ago.
The source, an LP member who declined to be identified because he was not authorized to speak for the party, said Belmonte decided that it was better for the bulk of LP members to join the majority coalition but remain in the LP.

The source said Belmonte feared that if the LP took a hard line and force members to remain with the minority, many of them might choose to abandon ship and join the PDP-Laban or other parties.
Belmonte, the source said, agreed to the bulk of the members joining the majority to prevent the disintegration of the party.

‘Bite size’ minority

Alvarez said there was no need for the Liberals to move to PDP-Laban if they wanted to join Duterte’s coalition for change.

But if Belmonte and the LP would choose to be the minority bloc, then the Liberals who wanted to join the majority would be required to pledge allegiance to PDP-Laban.
Alvarez said he expected to reduce the minority bloc in the 17th Congress to “bite size” or just 20 members at most. With a report from Nikko Dizon/TVJ

source: inquirer

Liberal Party losing power quickly

8:05:00 PM Featured, Politics

Ayumi Endo - The Japanese artist behind the viral Duterte art.

I have long regarded the Japanese as one of the most honorable people on the planet as their whole culture emphasises that virtue heavily.

As such it was a curious thing when a mixed media artist from Osaka started creating original and inspiring digital pieces about Rodrigo Duterte in the midst of the 2016 Presidential election.

 The artist’s name is Ayumi Endo and these are the art covers she did:

 The Patriot

The 1st piece Ayumi made with the Mayor's signature mannerism and the Philippine flag emanating from him. This piece is named "The Patriot".

Tatay Digong:

The 2nd piece by Ayumi Endo shows the Mayor with children and the sign of peace. This is titled "Tatay Digong"

Change is Coming:

This is the piece that Ayumi Endo made when Rodrigo Duterte won the election. It shows the jubilation and the rising sun. Simply baptised as "Change is Coming"

They have collectively garnered around 10,000 shares on Facebook and countless Likes.

For a few minutes I got to interview Ayumi Endo and found out more about the story behind the extremely symbolic Duterte digital art pieces. In this interview, we are with her manager (and translator) Billie Camille Ballesteros.

Hi Ayumi and Billie!

Hi Ayumi and Billie!

Hello!

What’s the turning point in your life that made you decide to be an artist?

I started working at a fashion boutique when I was 17, and there I began sketching, designing T-shirts. Then I realized a need for me to express myself, so eventually I started painting on canvas... from a small canvas, I moved on to bigger canvases. Eventually when things got broad and bigger for me, I went to New York to unplug and to think whether painting is and will be my life. That’s when I decided... we only live once and painting was really my passion.

Were you alone when you went to New York?

Yes, I travelled alone, but I do have friends there.

How old were you when you started painting?

I started painting on canvas when I was 22 years old.

Is there one artist or person that inspired you to be who you are now?

I do love a number of painters but that one person who made an impact on me, to pursue the kind of passion that I have now is Jane Goodall. She sacrificed nine years of her life in an advocacy, for animal welfare, the chimpanzees. I came across her... it was in a magazine or on TV and everything about her fascinated me—her passion as well as her dedication to make a mark in her generation. Jane’s work has taught thousands of people about chimpanzees. It is as if she opened a window to the chimpanzee world. People all over the world know and love the chimpanzees of Gombe.

So how did you know about the Mayor and his campaign to be our President?

Well, I was invited by the USC-SAFAD (University of San Carlos - School of Architecture Fine Arts and Design) for a live painting session as well as a big event with Mega Cebu. Thru my manager Billie and the people of Cebu, I learned all about how the Mayor lead by example and all the great stories of his leadership.

Ayumi at the USC for a live painting show

What inspired you to create the Duterte art covers?

My inspiration is the people of the Philippines who really wanted change. I can feel them yearning for it.

How long did it take you to paint these pieces?

From concept to finishing touches - it takes me around 2 weeks on each design.

What do you think is the change that the Filipinos want to see happen under Duterte?

The discipline, peace and order, cleanliness, and of course a relatively drug free country. These are found also in my home country - Japan so it is possible.

What else do you like to do aside from painting?

I am setting my eyes on playing the piano and writing a song. I am always bent on challenging myself.

As an artist, will you go out of your comfort zone just to pursue your passion?

I make it sure that I push myself instead of just settling for whatever's in front of me. I know that there’s a big undiscovered world out there. It’s not easy to travel by myself in the quest for personal answers but I have to do it. It’s a necessity to find ourselves. If I didn't take challenges I wouldn't be here in Cebu now.

What is your message to the Filipino people?

Thank you for the support! And I am so happy Rodrigo Duterte won! Change is coming! Arigato!

It was a pleasure interviewing Ayumi and Billie and we thank them both for inspiring us all during the campaign.

Please like her page for her next adventure at the official Ayumi Endo Philippines Facebook page, her Instagram at @87ayumi, her twitter at https://twitter.com/AYUMI_A_Live and her website at https://salon.io/AYUMI

“Please SHARE! Arigatou gozaimasu!” - Ayumi

Source: ERIC CLARK SU

Ayumi Endo - The Japanese artist behind the viral Duterte art.

12:46:00 AM Featured, Viral

Liberal Party, nakinabang umano sa mga pandaraya.

According to the report, the video was taken by a certain Normina Taha. She said she saw one woman doing the shading of tons of election ballots, while a set of accomplice fed them into the VCMs (vote counting machines). She added the election cheating was to help win Leni Robredo and the candidates for mayor and vice mayor of Datu Saudi.

Taha said that the ballot were almost done when she entered the polling precent and took the video. She emphasized that the election cheaters focused mainly on LP candidates, particularly on Robredo and local candidates. Unfortunately, the faces of the people and their alleged cheating activities are not clearly seen on the video.

Liberal Party, nakinabang umano sa mga pandaraya.

Posted by Duterte News on Friday, May 20, 2016

vice-mayor candidate Bassir Utto was also interviewed by the network. He said that there has been a conspiracy between the Comelec, the local candidates, and MILF Commander Wahid Tundok, who is also a leader of a private armed group. The woman shading the ballots was allegedly Tundok’s daughter, who has armed men around her.

Utto added that he reported the incident to Lt. Col. Warlito Limet, commander of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion. He said Limet told him that he already given instructions to his men. However, Utto said this is not true because the men on the area is his own people.

Meanwhile, supporters of vice-presidentiable Sen. Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos will have a rally in front of the Comelec main office in Manila this Friday, May 20, 1pm. The group is urging Comelec to do a manual vote-recount for vice president. This is after Leni Robredo consistently leads the race, despite the early 1-million vote lead by Marcos.

Liberal Party, nakinabang umano sa mga pandaraya.

7:17:00 PM Featured, VIDEO

Peace Talks with Moro rebels in Mindanao are “BACK TO SQUARE ONE"

All peace talks with Moro rebels in Mindanao are “back to square one” under the Rodrigo Duterte administration, according to newly elected Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, who is tipped to be the next Speaker.

“There’s no more need” for a Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), the Mindanao lawmaker said in an interview with the Inquirer.

IMAGE SOURCE: balita.com

Alvarez said the federal system of government, as espoused by Duterte’s campaign and which he would pursue as the next leader of the House of Representatives, would fix the Mindanao problem, making it unnecessary to enact a separate law.

He expressed optimism that the outgoing Davao mayor would be able to end the war in Mindanao.

“I’m very confident Mayor Duterte can do it. He can end insurgency because he understands the real issues,” he said. “Mayor Duterte has a good relationship with the rebels.”

SOURCE: INQUIRER

Peace Talks with Moro rebels in Mindanao are “BACK TO SQUARE ONE"

7:52:00 PM Announcement, Featured

MANILA : Seven-Year-Old Girl was Raped

Myla Rosales’ half-naked body was found dumped behind a common restroom under the shanty shortly before 6 a.m. yesterday, according to Senior Police Officer 3 Glenzor Vallejo of the Manila Police District (MPD) homicide division.

The body of Rosales, a first grader at Bagong Barangay Elementary School, bore more than 20 stab wounds, he added.

Image From Philstar

Three men – Norman de Leon, 25; his brother Joshua, 19; and Romulo Marquez, 34, all of 1676 A. Zamora street – were invited for questioning after neighbors told investigators the men were seen having a drinking session at the time the crime was committed.

The three initially denied any knowledge of the crime, but Norman broke down during interrogation at around 2 p.m. yesterday and admitted to killing the child. He would not say, however, if he raped Rosales.

“I could not remember if I raped her but I know I stabbed her several times,” he said.

Norman said he attacked the girl between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. in a second-floor room rented by his partner, a man identified only as Tonette dela Rama.

Rosales’ parents said they last seen their daughter at around 7 p.m. and started looking for her two hours later, when she failed to come home.

Source: PhilStar

MANILA : Seven-Year-Old Girl was Raped

11:07:00 PM Featured, Viral

President Barack Obama personally congratulated presumptive President Rodrigo Duterte

US President Barack Obama on Tuesday congratulated Philippines president-elect Rodrigo Duterte on his landslide victory at the polls, hailing the country’s “vibrant democracy” — and emphasizing the importance of protecting human rights.

 image source:globalnation.inquirer.net

He has also pledged a ruthless law-and-order crackdown that would feature the restoration of the death penalty in the largely Roman Catholic country, and ordering military snipers to kill suspected criminals.

Read: Longest Bridge in Philippines to Build under Duterte's Government

He has said it is up to American officials to fix relations with him, after the US ambassador to Manila criticized his joke that he would have wanted to rape an Australian missionary who was killed in a 1989 Philippine prison riot.

Source: inquirer .net

President Barack Obama personally congratulated presumptive President Rodrigo Duterte

8:53:00 PM Featured, Politics

Longest Bridge in Philippines to Build under Duterte's Government

The Philippines and South Korea inked a $100.13 million deal for the construction of Panguil Bay Bridge that would connect Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte.

The Philippine government on Thursday, April 28 met with the Export-Import Bank of Korea-Economic Development Cooperation Fund (KEXIM-EDCF) to close the deal.

Image source: Google.com

This marks the first bridge infrastructure project of KEXIM-EDCF, aimed at increasing growth in Mindanao with reliable and efficient transport infrastructure connecting the northern and western areas.

National Treasurer Roberto Tan and KEXIM-EDCF chief representative Yongkeun Oh signed the loan agreement, kicking into motion the infrastructure deal.

The 4.19-kilometer (km) bridge across Panguil Bay, connecting the city of Tangub in Misamis Occidental and the municipality of Tubod in Lanao del Norte, will be the longest Philippine over-the-sea bridge surpassing the San Juanico’s 2.2-kilometer length.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will serve as the implementing agency of the project, which is scheduled to be completed in 2018.

“We appreciate the robust partnership we share with the Republic of Korea – this project is the latest evidence we have of friends from abroad placing their faith on our people,” Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said in a statement.

“The Panguil Bay Bridge Project not only connects two points in Mindanao; it connects us to an optimistic future for Mindanao’s growth and prosperity,” he added.

“Increased connectivity and mobility in Mindanao ought to spur more inclusive economic activity, ensuring we get an exponential amount of return for the investment the Governments of the Republics of Korea and the Philippines put in with this loan agreement,” Tan added.

In the same event at the Bureau of the Treasury, Foreign Affairs Secretary Jose Rene Almendras signed the Individual Arrangement, while Korean Ambassador Jae-shin Kim signed on behalf of the South Korean government.

Although the project was initiated during the Aquino administration, the construction will begin and finish during the new president, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte of Davao City./Ramil Llorente/

Longest Bridge in Philippines to Build under Duterte's Government

7:53:00 PM business, Featured

Leila de Lima vowed to continue opposing any move to re-impose death penalty

In his first public appearance since the May 9 elections, Duterte announced he wanted criminals committing heinous crimes including robbery and rape to suffer morbid death like a public hanging.

De Lima, former chief of the Commission on Human Rights, said the government, with the help of Congress, should fix the justice system, instead of jumping into a death penalty legislation.

“I do believe that that is not the solution. The solution is to fix the justice system. The new executive should start with the strict and faithful enforcement of laws,” De Lima told reporters when asked about the issue of death penalty on the sideline of the book launch of former Immigration commissioner Siegfred Mison on Monday.

De Lima in previous interviews warned the public about a Duterte presidency, calling him a monster.

“We have to observe and be vigilant. As far as I know, a sitting president has immunity from suits. But there is no such thing as immunity from investigation,” De Lima said. 

SOURCE: INQUIRER

Leila de Lima vowed to continue opposing any move to re-impose death penalty

9:22:00 PM Announcement, Featured

VIRAL: DUTERTE IS A MOSQUITO who dreams of becoming BUBUYOG

Binago natin ng konti ang mga character sa orihinal na kwento. upang maihatid ang mensahe at ma ihulma sa ating kasalukuyang panahon.. Salamat sa inspirasyon sir panjo. :) 

Si Digong ay isang lamok na nangangarap maging bubuyog. Namangha kasi siya sa kakaibang kasanayan ng mga ito ng mag-cross pollinate ng mga bulaklak. Dahil iba ang anyo ng mga bubuyog minabuti na lang niyang pag-aralan ang mga kakahayan ng mga ito.

Kinutya siya ng sangkalamukan dahil imposible ang kanyang pangarap. Tinuran siyang baliw. Naging sentro siya ng tawanan. Ngunit hindi siya nagpadaig. Itinuloy niya ang kanyang mga pangarap bitbit ang lakas ng loob, tiwala sa sarili at sipag.

"Aanhin pa ang salitang pagbabago kung hindi gagamitin," nasabi niya sa sarili habang pinag-aaralan ang istraktura ng talulot at pollen. "Takot ang lahat sa pagbabago. Gusto lang nilang mabuhay sa nakasanayan".

Hindi nagtagal nagtagumpay si Digong. Nagawa niyang berde ang blue rose, gawing hugis tala ang yellow bell at pabungahin ng niyog ang kamatis. Noon, akala ng lahat ay imposible pero may katunayan na sa lahat ng pangarap ni Digong.

Dahil dito maraming humanga sa nagawa ni Digong. Umikot ang kaisipang liberal. Lumaganap ang ideyolohiyang pinaniniwalaan ni Digong. May mga lumantad na gustong sundin ang tapak niya. May mga lamok na lumapit sa kanya. Gusto nilang magaya ang kakayanan ng surot, putakte, hanep, ibon, kalabaw, kuto, bulate, Archaeopteryx at dinosaur.

Dahil sa pagkalat ng kaisipang liberal, natakot ang gobyerno na mawala ang kanilang kultura. Ang mag-iwan ng kiss mark sa kasingit-singitan ng katawan ng tao. Itinuring nilang rebelde si Digong. Ipinagkalat na siya ay may kapangyarihang itim at alagad ng diablong yellu. Ipinahunting nila si Digong sa lahat ng lugar. Ipinasara ang lahat ng paliparan, estero, bao, lata ng nido, sardinas, arinola, kaserola at bunganga. Subalit likas na matalino si Digong kaya hindi siya nahuli.

Nakaisip ng plano ang hukbong kalamukan, nagawa nilang ibrain-wash ang mga bubuyog at paru-paro na sa bilis magkangkangan ng mga lamok ay madaling mawawalan sila ng career kapag lahat ng lamok ay sumunod sa yapak ni Digong. Dahil dito, umatake ang mga bubuyog sa pamumuno ni General Panot. Nadakip si Digong habang pinag-aaralan kung paano mapapadami ang chicharong bulaklak.

Dinala si Digong sa Katol Chamber para katukin at isuko ang kanyang ipinaglalaban. Subalit nagmatigas si Digong. Hindi siya sumuko hanggang sa huling usok ng katol.

Bago tuluyang nalagutan ng hiningi tinura nya ang mga katagang Nothing can stop the mosquito with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the mosquito with the wrong mental attitude.

Pagkatapos ng kanyang kamatayan, ilang politiko ang nagmukahi na siya ay mapabilang sa pet society.

Pero lingid sa kaalaman ng buong kalamukan, natutunan ni Digong ang isang kapangyarihan bago siya isinalang sa katol chamber. Nagawa niyang isalin ang kanyang DNA sa pamamagitan ng pag-kagat sa isang tao

Na ngayon ang taong iyon ay isa nang pinuno ng isang malaking hukbo. Isang pinuno na isinugo ng bayan upang  tipunin at pag isahin ang nagkawatak watak na mga lumang  emperyo

Ang Lamok na kakagat sa mga alibughang mga tao.

SOURCE: I-N-FO-G-R-AP-I-X

VIRAL: DUTERTE IS A MOSQUITO who dreams of becoming BUBUYOG

8:52:00 PM Featured, Viral