24 Pebrero, 2025 Lunes

election campaign period, gun ban in effect

Love  month in iskup

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez, Happy 91st birthday Nanay  

No to SOGIE bill

congratulations Marked Men for Christ Philippines 565 batrch Seminar, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, 

Pangasinan ,looking forward to next batch July 16,2025, Baguio City

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ABS 2025

House to prepare evidence for VP Sara’s impeach trial

By Nidz Godino

“I advise them to study and prepare evidence so that when trial begins, there won’t be any delays…given  time they’ve had, there’s no reason for them not to be ready, and I do not expect them to ask for  extension… would be embarrassing if they can’t accomplish that within  set timeframe,” Senate President Francis Escudero said instead of pressuring and calling for  immediate convening of  impeachment court, urged  House of Representatives to thoroughly study and prepare  evidence against Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, emphasizing he would not entertain any delays once trial begins.

Escudero said House members, who would act as prosecutors in impeachment trial against Duterte, must prepare for systematic presentation of evidence during proceedings.

House of Representatives transmitted impeachment complaint against Vice President to Senate on Feb. 5, two hours before Congress went on recess for midterm elections.

Escudero said Senate would prepare and could tackle the matter only when Congress resumes session on June 2.

Some congressmen and some sectors are calling Senate to immediately commence impeachment trial, could be done once President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.calls special session to allow Senate to convene as impeachment court.

But Escudero said even when Senate resumes sessions on June 2, senators could not hold trial right away as they will still have lot to prepare and they would not be able to discuss anything until 19th Congress closes on June 30.

First, he said they need to adopt permanent impeachment rules, currently being drafted and will be debated in session.

He said they also have to give Duterte time to answer Articles of Impeachment, can be set for 10 days and extension can be requested.

Escudero also lashed out at House of Representatives for pressuring Senate to start impeachment trial, saying Congress is not in right position to do so, as it had sat on complaints for three months.

“Constitution states ‘forthwith,’ and their own rules state ‘immediately’ , secretary-general shall immediately refer any impeachment complaint filed to the Speaker… they delayed three impeachment complaints for more than two months… if they took two months to act, they shouldn’t hold Senate to different standard, before telling us to hurry, they should answer simple questions  they didn’t rush themselves…now that complaint is filed, they’re rushing excessively…they have no moral basis to take such  position, if we look at past impeachment complaints, we followed  recess schedule…our recess,  ends on June 2, was agreed upon back in July last year…we are simply adhering to  scheduled recess because we have elections, now, I don’t want to treat Vice President Duterte’s impeachment complaint as special just because she’s the vice president, first vice president to be impeached, or because she’s  Duterte… her case should be treated the same way  Senate has handled previous and other impeachment complaints… shouldn’t receive special treatment…as they say,  woman symbolizing justice is blindfolded, meaning she sees nothing and treats everyone equally,” Escudero said.He maintained Senate cannot hold  special session on their own while Congress is on recess, noting that they have to observe  process.

He also added  caucus among senators is not  special session that can create impeachment court.

Former Senate president Franklin Drilon has dismissed calls for Escudero to unilaterally convene special session to consider Articles of Impeachment, emphasizing that only President Marcos holds that authority.

“I cannot really understand  insistence  Senate President can call Senate to  special session to consider  Articles of Impeachment…only the President can do that,” Drilon said in  statement.

He also clarified convening of  Senate as  impeachment court is not automatic, contrary to certain claims.

“Impeachment process has not yet started; it has only been filed, and  impeachment court has not been convened… I’m not saying it’s wrong or right, but I don’t want to make  mistake by doing that,” he stressed.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian expressed support for Escudero’s position on  impeachment, stressing that “this impeachment cannot be discussed without  session.”

“Recent impeachment cases, like those of former president Joseph Estrada, chief justice Renato Corona and ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, all went through  plenary…  means it was read in  plenary to formally inform everyone,  formally communicated to our colleagues that there is such impeachment that has come to our Senate… since this was sent on the last day and at the last hour, it could not be read during  session in plenary…therefore, without  plenary session and without it being read,  impeachment cannot be discussed” he said.

24 Pebrero, 2025 Lunes

election campaign period, gun ban in effect

Love  month in iskup

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez, Happy 91st birthday Nanay  

No to SOGIE bill

congratulations Marked Men for Christ Philippines 565 batrch Seminar, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, 

Pangasinan ,looking forward to next batch July 16,2025, Baguio City

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ABS 2025

 Headline

 ‘Ph has always chosen  path of peace’

By Nidz Godino

 “Through diplomacy, dialogue and cooperation, we have successfully maintained  region that is peaceful, stable and prosperous,”  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said
amid rising tensions in  West Philippine Sea,  Philippines will continue to foster peace and greater cooperation with  international community in maintaining  peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, even as it remains resolute in standing for what is right.

Speaking at the commemoration of  80th anniversary of the Liberation of Manila at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Taguig City, Marcos said  Philippines – deeply familiar with  atrocities brought about by war between and among nations has always chosen  path of peace.

 “We have and will continue to work with partners and the international community in building bridges, forging solutions, preserving our global commons,” he said.

Among those present were US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, US Indo-Pacific Command Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr.
Marcos, however, said  country would not be deterred and “will always stand for what is right.”

The President’s statement came in the face of China’s continued aggressive actions in West Philippine Sea and defiance of international laws.

In his remarks, Marcos highlighted  continuing strong bond between  Philippines and  US.

“In a world where  only thing that appears to be constant is change, we are thus gratified by our enduring alliance, our partnership and friendship with  United States, especially towards advancing our common agenda of peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific,” he said.

Marcos noted  armed forces of both countries would conduct  Balikatan exercises in few weeks’ time.

“There is no doubt that our relationship is robust, with our two countries continuing to work together to address common challenges,” he said.

For his part, Paparo renewed  US’s commitment to supporting Manila’s defense and security capabilities.
“We’ve responded together to natural disasters, and we’ve worked together to support  free and open regional order, and we both remain committed to the defense and security in the Philippines, and we’ll continue to work together to deter aggression and uphold international law,” he said in his message.

Carlson said US-Philippines ties are now stronger than ever.
“Our shared experience fighting side by side 80 years ago continues to provide meaning and focus for the modern US-Philippine alliance, as we work together today to address shared challenges ranging from maritime security and disaster response,” Carlson said.

The event commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Manila, took place from Feb. 3 to March 3, 1945,  defining moment in the Pacific theater of World War II and one of the most significant events in Philippine history.

The ground war between American and Japanese military forces resulted in the complete devastation of over 600 city blocks and  deaths of more than 100,000 Filipino civilians.
“ United States,  Philippines and Japan now stand as partners, demonstrating that yesterday’s barriers can be overcome in the spirit of friendship and cooperation,” Carlson said.

23 Pebrero, 2025 Linggo

election campaign period, gun ban in effect

Love  Month in iskup

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez, Happy 91st birthday Nanay  

No to SOGIE bill

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ABS 2025

Ph to import  25,000 MT of frozen fish

By J.Lo

“This will add variety in the market, especially for  food service industry, since fish and marine species covered by this importation are mostly fish and marine products not caught locally,” Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.  in  separate statement said DA has approved  importation of 25,000 metric tons (MT) of various frozen seafood such as salmon, squid, scallops and sardines to boost domestic supply and prevent  spike in  prices of  concerned commodities.

Laurel issued Memorandum Order 12,  provides  guidelines on implementation of  certificate of necessity to import (CNI) covering  period from March to May.

 Importation  allows  entry of 40 fish products of various species. Issuance  of  CNI also allows  imported frozen fish items to be sold to wet markets and supermarkets.

 “This should not affect local fishermen and should help in the ease of doing business,” he added.

Approved  fish species to be imported under  CNI are salmon, sardines, gindara, pangasius, tuna by-products, hamachi, swordfish, barramundi and fish meat.

Also allowed to be imported are alaskan pollock, oilfish, halibut, cod/black cod, hake, croaker, chilean seabass, marlin, silverfish/silver sillago, eel, mullet, cobia, capelin, moonfish, yellowtail sole and hoki.

DA also approved  importation of lobster, scallops, mussels (black, green-lipped, blue), clams, red snapper, grouper, flounder, emperor, sea bream, bluefin tuna, oyster, smelt, soft/hard shell crab, octopus and squid.

Approved  species per fish product are foreign ones that do not thrive or cannot be caught locally in the country, thus does not compete directly with those that local fishers catch and sell in domestic market.

Fisheries and Aquaculture Board chair Chingling Tanco told media imported fish species would be sold to wet markets and supermarkets, boosting domestic supplies and would help arrest possible price spikes in fish commodities.

Imported  fish products may also be sold to other markets including hotels and restaurants, Tangco stressed.

Tiu Laurel said those who can participate in the importation should be accredited for at least one year prior to  issuance of order, and registered importers under Fisheries Administrative Order 259 participated in any previous CNI.

“All importers who complied may qualify to import, provided that all accreditation and registration documents are updated and complete,” the agriculture chief said in his order.

Tiu Laurel added importers with pending cases or investigations in relation to violations of any food safety or importation rules and regulations are disqualified from participating in  importation.

He said initial volume of 28 metric tons shall be allocated to each qualified importer.

“Remaining volume shall be allocated to  qualified importers on  first come first serve basis,” Tiu Laurel added.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Proverbs 14:22

²² Do not those who plot evil go astray?
    But those who plan what is good find^[a] love and faithfulness.

Footnotes

1. Proverbs 14:22 Or show

22 Pebrero, 2025 Sabado

election campaign period, gun ban in effect

Love  Month in iskup

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez, Happy 91st birthday Nanay  

No to SOGIE bill

Congratulations Marked Men for Christ Philippines Seminar, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, Pangasinan 

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ABS 2025

Ph taps SoKor actor as tourism envoy

By Cynthia Montojo

“Seo’s artistry cultivated  deep connection with Filipino fans, as well as those from other nationalities, making him  ideal representative to share  wonders of the Philippines to the world,” Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco appointed entertainer from South Korea as “tourism ambassador for the Philippines”.

Frasco, granted  title to 37-year-old actor and singer Seo In-guk at an event at  DOT main office in Makati on Feb. 21.

DOT, along with  Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) and Seo’s Philippine talent agency Neocolors Production and Advertising, signed  memorandum of understanding for his engagement as promoter of Philippine tourism for South Korean travelers.

Seo’s role will last for a year, said Frasco, noting he was “very highly recommended by our Philippine embassy in South Korea, as well as our Philippine Department of Tourism in South Korea,” being celebrity with  Instagram following of 4.5 million.

DOT would also “leverage  power of pop culture and digital influence to engage deeper with global travelers who share  passion for music, film and adventure.”

Frasco noted that as DOT’s ambassador, Seo would embark on  “experiential travel for the Philippines where he would not only enjoy our beaches and dive sites, but you also get to eat our food.”

Seo is currently in Cebu, reportedly shooting scenes as part of  new Netflix Korean drama series with  working title “Boyfriend on Demand” that will also star Jisoo, member of female Korean pop group Blackpink.

He has appeared in various television and film projects in South Korea since 2012.

Seo, wearing  black suit,  enjoyed eating lechon and listened to Filipino music while dining in Cebu.

He also sang  chorus of  song “Ikaw” by Yeng Constantino.

Through his appointment as DOT ambassador, Seo, speaking in Korean, promised to “give back all  love you gave to me.” He ended his short speech by saying “Mahal ko kayo.”

Total  of 1,574,152 tourists from South Korea or 26.46 percent make up  total 5,949,350 travelers  visited  Philippines in 2024, making South Korea  Philippines’ top source of tourists, according to  DOT.

22 Pebrero, 2025 Sabado

election campaign period, gun ban in effect

Love  Month in iskup

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez, Happy 91st birthday Nanay  

No to SOGIE bill

Congratulations Marked Men for Christ Philippines Seminar, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, Pangasinan 

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Headline 

‘VP trial need not Senate caucus’

By Nidz Godino

“I referred his (Pimentel) request to our colleagues, as well as to rules committee and Senate’s legal team that we’re forming now… whatever we do , caucus, coffee, dinner, snack ,if there’s no session, there’s nothing we can do because we can’t change  timetable I mentioned, unless  Senate and Congress hold  session, and  impeachment is referred to the plenary, allowing  impeachment court to convene,” Senate President Francis Escudero said no need for senators to hold  caucus to discuss Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s impeachment trial.

Escudero made his position clear in an interview in  rebuff of  suggestion from Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III.

Even as he stuck to his timetable of starting  formal trial after  joint opening of  20th Congress in late July, Escudero estimated that it could be finished within two months.

Escudero stressed  no more changes can be made in the legislative calendar, mutually agreed upon by both chambers in July 2024.

 “Until that happens, any coffee or snack meetings we have are pointless…but anytime, Senator Pimentel and I can have  snack, as long as he’s free and not too busy,” Escudero stressed.

He explained Senate, acting as impeachment court, must follow established rules and procedures rather than rely on internal meetings to decide on matters related to trial.

Escudero emphasized impeachment trial is  constitutional process, requiring senators to act as impartial judges. Unlike regular legislative sessions where  caucus might be used to align positions or discuss legislative priorities, impeachment proceedings demand strict adherence to legal and procedural standards to ensure fairness and due process.

The Senate President also pointed out that any procedural misstep or undue haste could provide Duterte with legal grounds to challenge  impeachment proceedings in court.

Escudero stressed  impeachment trial of Duterte should follow  same procedures as previous impeachment trials of former president Joseph Estrada in 2010, former ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez in 2011 and former chief justice Renato Corona in 2012.

“Why should we change that procedure…because VP Sara is special…because many are being pressured and can’t wait for this to proceed…because they’re eager and furious about  Vice President’s situation…what’s the reason…how  Senate treated other impeachment complaints, that’s how this impeachment complaint should also be treated…that’s why Lady Justice is blindfolded, symbolizing justice…she sees nothing, everything is equal…and that’s what I intend to do regarding this case?” Escudero asked.While some quarters are calling on  Senate to immediately convene as  impeachment court, Escudero said Congress is on recess and  Constitution provides only specific reasons to justify  special session.

“The problem is, there are no sessions anymore…we can’t convene without  session…this is  normal recess because of  election…they want us to hold  special session, but they’re in  hurry…but they should address what  mentioned about  Constitution…they want us to proceed immediately, so we will, and we’ll convene  impeachment court without  session, which is clearly illegal,” he pointed out.

Escudero also emphasized he would not ask President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.to call for  special session to give way to  impeachment trial of Duterte.

“It is against  Constitution… the Constitution is specific,  special session can be called when  Senate President consults with  minority and majority leaders…there is no need for  caucus,do they want to provide another reason for Duterte supporters to appeal to  Supreme Court… not for me to do that… Constitution is specific,  special session can be called when, first, the President dies or something happens, or the Cabinet certifies President is incapacitated,” Escudero maintained.

“If the Vice President dies, is impeached or becomes incapacitated,  new vice president must be selected from Congress….third, when the President declares martial law, Congress automatically convenes… the only occasion for joint voting by  Senate and Congress, to vote on whether to extend or reject it… fourth, to canvass  votes for president and vice president in  presidential election and to proclaim  winning president and vice president…those are the only occasions when Congress itself can call  special session,” he stressed.

Escudero said Senate impeachment trial is expected to take place in the morning sessions from Monday to Thursday, while  regular legislative session will continue in the afternoon of Monday to Wednesday.

He said  schedule aims to balance  Senate’s dual responsibilities  ensuring due process in the impeachment while keeping up with its legislative agenda.

On lawyer Howard Calleja’s accusing him of constitutional breach for adjourning Senate’s session even if there were two more days left in its legislative calendar, Escudero said the lawyer “does not have  monopoly of all legal knowledge to accuse anyone of anything.”

“Further, as I have stated before, I will not dignify nor listen to partisan legal opinions or positions for or against impeachment of VP Sara… I will follow the law and what I believe to be right and fair,” he said.

The lawyer said  Senate calendar was supposed to end on Feb. 7 yet but it adjourned on Feb. 5 without taking up  complaint in violation of  Constitution.

He added  House secretary general was made to wait for about an hour before being allowed to turn over  Articles of Impeachment. Roughly an hour later, at around 7 in the evening, the Senate adjourned.

“We have to look at  culpability of Mr. Escudero for this constitutional breach,ironic and even questionable…instead of immediately taking up  complaint, Escudero immediately adjourned Senate, we have questions why  unconstitutional rush…who benefited from Chiz’s premature adjournment…definitely Sara because there would be  lot of legal questions that could potentially kill  impeachment complaint under  20th Congress, is China, interested in controlling Philippine politics, too far behind…what is the benefit to Chiz who is known to be interested in  2028 presidential elections?” Calleja said. He accused Escudero of apparent disregard for the issue of high-level corruption involving the Vice President.

“Nabudol tayo ni Chiz … just when we are talking of billions of pesos being lost to alleged corruption, just when Sara threatened to have the President and the First Lady killed,  would have created unimaginable national instability, here he is trying to foist on us  scenario calculated to kill  impeachment of Sara Duterte, Chiz would not do this without benefiting himself…my question to Chiz is: you are  lawyer and forthwith is  simple English term…who are you loyal to,” he said.

21 Pebrero, 2025 Biyernes

election campaign period, gun ban in effect

Love  Month in iskup

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez, Happy 91st birthday Nanay  

No to SOGIE bill

Congratulations Marked Men for Christ Philippines Seminar, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, Pangasinan 

Congratulations to 1019 views of “Komedya O Komida” show of our very own J.Lo and Nidz Godino

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ABS 2025

Max farmgate pork price mulle

By J.Lo

Department of Agriculture (DA) is weighing  implementation of  maximum farmgate price for pork as  potential alternative to  imposition of its maximum suggested retail price in response to continuous rise in pork prices.

DA spokesman Arnel de Mesa said proposal surfaced after both retailers and pork producers expressed opposition to imposition of maximum SRP during consultations, citing concerns over market dynamics and supply chain expenses.

Based on data from  hog producers,  cost of pork production has reached P180 per kilo, while  farmgate price stands between P230 to P250 per kilo, yielding  P70-per-kilo profit and  38-percent increase from their production cost.

De Mesa noted that farmgate prices have started to decline as cases of African swine fever decrease and production improves.

Traders, or biyaheros, on the other hand, reportedly spend at least P80 per kilo on transportation and logistics, while retailers incur  additional P50 per kilo in costs.

Based on these figures, De Mesa estimates  pork should retail at P380 per kilo.

21 Pebrero, 2025 Biyernes

election campaign period, gun ban in effect

Love  Month in iskup

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez, Happy 91st birthday Nanay  

No to SOGIE bill

Congratulations Marked Men for Christ Philippines Seminar, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, Pangasinan 

Congratulations to 1018 views of “Komedya O Komida” show of our very own J.Lo and Nidz Godino

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ABS 2025

Headlines

Ph, New Zealand conclude talks on VFA

By Nidz Godino

Philippines and New Zealand are yet to finalize deal that will allow  military forces of the two nations to hold joint exercises and other activities in each other’s territories.

Department of National Defense (DND) spokesman Arsenio Andolong announced that negotiations for  Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) have been completed following  last round of talks held on Feb. 18, 2025.

After finalizing the text of  agreement, he said both sides expressed optimism about  signing of  deal in the second quarter of 2025.

Andolong said  SOVFA between  Philippines and New Zealand “will bolster defense and military ties between  two countries, enabling  Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and  New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF) to conduct exercises in each other’s territories.”

Final  round of talks was led by DND Undersecretary Pablo Lorenzo and New Zealand Ministry of Defense (MoD) Director Kathleen Pearce, with New Zealand hosting the same via  hybrid arrangement.

Andolong said  Philippine negotiating panel was composed of Presidential Commission on Visiting Forces Undersecretary Antonio Habulan Jr.; DND Assistant Secretaries Marita Yoro and Erik Lawrence Dy; Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretaries Aileen Mendiola-Rau and Patrick Chuasoto and officer-in-charge Paulo Saret and Department of Justice (DOJ) state counsels Ma. Pamelyn Omalin, Dave Fatalla and Albert Abragan.

 New Zealand side was composed of representatives from  MoD, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, participated virtually from Wellington.

Andolong said  New Zealand delegation was also joined by Ambassador Catherine McIntosh and other embassy officials.

DND had earlier explained that once signed,  SOVFA will reinforce  2017 Memorandum of Arrangement between  DND and  AFP with New Zealand’s MoD.

 DND said  conclusion of  agreement that may be likened to  VFA between  Philippines and  United States will also be  significant milestone for  overall bilateral relationship between  Philippines and New Zealand as  two countries celebrate  60th anniversary of  establishment of diplomatic ties in 2026.

15 Pebrero ,2025 Sabado

Love  month in iskup

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez, Happy 91st birthday Nanay  

No to SOGIE bill

congratulations Marked Men for Christ Philippines 565 batrch Seminar, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, 

Pangasinan ,looking forward to next batch July 16,2025, Baguio City

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

PDP-Laban slate calls themselves ‘Team Suka’  

By J.Lo

“Go ahead, call us Team Suka, what matters is we’re  ones making life more flavorful for the poor, ” Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  did not name names when he mocked candidates who appeared merely “sent to buy vinegar” at the launch of his endorsed candidates earlier this week.

But former President Rodrigo Duterte’s allies readily claimed  insult as being directed at them. 

Vic Rodriguez,  served as Marcos’s campaign spokesperson before their public falling out in 2022, also criticized his former superior. “We’ll fight Team Sinusuka… vinegar fights fake gold, I have  diploma and finished college, ” he said, adding with deliberate emphasis. 

Marcoleta, meanwhile, turned  vinegar metaphor into  indictment of  administration: “We know why basic goods are so expensive in our country. Those who don’t use vinegar, they don’t understand. We can smell  corruption, we just smell like vinegar. But they don’t even notice it, because many of them are involved.”

Slate’s responses to Marcos also went beyond  vinegar taunt. When the president suggested some candidates had blood on their hands from  drug war, Dela Rosa also bristled.

“If our hands are stained with blood, I’m not ashamed… blood of criminals.” The former police chief even suggested, to approving cheers, that perhaps tokhang ,controversial door-to-door drug war campaign should be their electoral strategy.

Throughout  speeches,  candidates’ pointed jabs at the president drew scattered cries of “Bangag!” from the crowd.

Elder  Duterte,  presence loomed large through countless posters and merchandise bearing his image, delivered  day’s final salvos. 

He repeated allegations about Marcos’s supposed abuse of illegal substances and briefly dismissed criticism of his administration’s bloody drug war with characteristic bluntness: “Why call them extrajudicial killings…there was nothing extra about them,” the former president said.

PDP-Laban’s proclamation rally on Thursday saw its candidates staking their Senate bid on nostalgia for  Duterte years to overcome both  fresh controversies that have hounded  vice president and dwindling number of politicians who still stand behind  Duterte alliance.

The party that once commanded  government’s full machinery now operates from  different position after  series of party exits in the last two years. Dela Rosa, aware of this reality, made  thinly-veiled remark: 

“Where is the opposition…you are still here…you did not jump to the other side…you are not disowning us… those are the people who have principles,” Dela Rosa said.

Go crystallized  party’s campaign message in his closing remarks: “The more allies we have in  Senate, the more we can help not just Duterte but the entire nation. Please, help our slate’s candidates.”

15 Pebrero, 2025 Sabado

election campaign period, gun ban in effect

Love  month in iskup

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez, Happy 91st birthday Nanay  

No to SOGIE bill

congratulations Marked Men for Christ Philippines 565 batrch Seminar, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, 

Pangasinan ,looking forward to next batch July 16,2025, Baguio City

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Headlines

Duterte jokes murder of 15 senators

By J.Lo

“Now there are many of them…what shall we do…let’s just kill incumbent senators so there will be vacancies…if we can kill 15 senators, we can all get in…that would be  pity though…but they are very annoying…not all of them,” former president Rodrigo Duterte joked about killing 15 senators to ensure victory of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan’s senatorial slate during  PDP-Laban’s proclamation rally earlier.

The former president went further and jokingly said, “the only way to do it is to use  bomb.”

He did not specifically say what he suggested bombing.

Duterte’s Senate slate consists of Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Bong Go, outgoing SAGIP party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, former Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. director Jimmy Bondoc, Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy, former local government undersecretary Jayvee Hinlo, former presidential adviser for Northern Luzon Raul Lambino, former executive secretary Vic Rodriguez and actor Phillip Salvador.

At the same rally, Duterte accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.anew of being addicted to illegal drugs, particularly heroin.

“There is one President who is really high on drugs ,bangag… not crazy, but drug addiction is long-term… Marcos will be crazy, maybe constant use of heroin , maybe he could reach  age of 80, but by that time, he can no longer move,” Duterte said.

In 2021, Duterte also claimed that Marcos snorts cocaine. Last year, Marcos commented that Duterte’s brain must be addled by  powerful opioid fentanyl, Duterte had admitted using for pain relief.

Duterte also slammed Marcos administration’s failure to address rising food prices, particularly of rice.

“Take rice, for instance, which really hits  gut and heart of Filipinos…he failed to get  most  either subsidize or whatever… It goes on up and up and up, it will be difficult for  people to cope, It appears that he could not temper the price…let’s deal with rice, not other issues. but  immediate, urgent need to solve is really  prices or  price of rice,” Duterte said.

Malacañang declined to comment on Duterte’s latest tirades against Marcos.

“No comment here,” Presidential Communications Office acting Secretary Cesar Chavez told reporters.

Duterte’s tirades came days after Marcos took  swipe at his predecessor over  number of issues that hounded  previous administration, including its brutal drug war and pivot to China.

At  proclamation rally of  senatorial candidates of administration-backed Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas in Ilocos Norte on Tuesday, Marcos made reference to several controversies tied to Duterte administration and claimed  none of  administration’s senatorial bets were involved in them.

“Look at the record of our candidates…none of them are tainted with blood because of tokhang,” the President said, referring to Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, left more than 6,000 suspects dead, based on official figures.

Senators who feel threatened by joke made by  Duterte may file  case against him,  former president of Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) said.

While  National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) can initiate  probe over Duterte’s remarks, former IBP president Domingo Cayosa said it is important for  offended party to testify on impact of  statement.

“This is public crime… state can prosecute this…but they need offended party to testify that ‘I was threatened by that, Senators can file  case if they feel particularly referred to by  statement… of course, whether or not you get  conviction will depend on  appreciation of evidence and what kind of evidence will be presented by both parties,’” he said.

Without  senator testifying on impact of  statement, Cayosa said it might be difficult to support case of grave threats, even if  NBI initiates its own investigation.

But referring to it as  joke is not necessarily  excuse, with  former IBP chief noting that other circumstances have to be taken into account.

Aside from  impact of  statement on person referred to, Cayosa said  judge may also look at the capacity of the person to act on  “joke.”

“Those are circumstances that would contribute to  conviction,” he pointed out.

Though opting to do away with personal appearance, Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio has officially endorsed  senatorial candidates under PDP-Laban for  midterm elections.

In  written message flashed on screen during proclamation rally, Sara enjoined public to vote for  reelectionist senators as well as for neophyte aspiring senatorial candidates under PDP-Laban.

“Together with our fellowmen who continue to dream of better future, I extend my gratitude to all of you for striving to pave way for  genuine and meaningful change, thank you for accepting the call of public service despite  challenges that come with it,” she said, addressing  PDP senatorial slate.

She said she trusts in the power of Filipino voting public in changing  current situation of the country by voting  truly deserving candidates who will serve the nation with honesty and perseverance.

Duterte said she is praying for  PDP-Laban senatorial candidates’ success in their advocacies “for the sake of our communities and our fellow Filipinos.”

The Office of the Vice President (OVP) media relations team has yet to respond to reporters’ query on why the younger Duterte opted not to personally attend proclamation rally.

In  previous interview with media, however, Duterte said she is currently focused on preparing her defense for her impending impeachment trial at  Senate, though she is still willing to extend support to  PDP-Laban slate.

The OVP media relations team has also yet to give  update on Vice President’s current whereabouts, amid photos posted on social media by Duterte’s half-sister Kitty on Wednesday showing that they were together in Japan.

The OVP has yet to confirm whether Duterte is on  official or personal trip.

“I’m not privy to the Vice President’s schedule for this week,” OVP media relations officer John Carlo Cahinhinan replied to reporters through Viber.

Cahinhinan also did not confirm whether photos posted by Kitty were taken in real time or were old ones.