Ra's Hole in The Sun

INC church members accused of kidnapping, murder in Philippines - The Fi...

2018-11-21T20:17:00.001+08:00

Of Ineptocrats and Precariats (I'd rather be with the latter than the former)

2018-09-09T22:38:00.003+08:00

I'm back to nitpick again.

A lot of political antics have taken place since I last wrote about ineptocrats in the local scene. Cha-Cha - no, not the dance move but the constitutional reform called Charter Change - was initiated by the clowns in the Congress led by then House Speaker "The Joker" Alvarez and now by former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo whose ascendancy to the speakership was nothing short of dramatic. And GMA, I'm certain, is more motivated than Alvarez in pushing for the shift as this will make her the prime minister. GMA still has a pending plunder case at the office of the Ombudsman, and if she becomes the PM we can definitely say ta-ta to that case.

Pro-admin lawmakers are eagerly finding ways to please Duterte, top of which is the changing of the Constitution mainly to adopt the federal form of government. Former Chief Justice Reynato Puno has been assigned by Duterte to head the consultative commission tasked to change the highest laws of the land. Apparently, Puno accepted it with a heavy heart because he knows how the shift to federalism can further spur political dynasties and their corrupt practices. In fact, Puno had recently threatened to withdraw his support for federalism should the anti-dynasty provision in the commission's draft is taken out by Congress.

As I've said in one of my previous posts, federalism is not the answer to our nation's woes. You put a new system of government to be run by the old timers - the trapos - and you're not going to improve things but derail everything instead. It's like buying a new bus but never replacing the people at the helm - people who never follow the rules of the land, who never care about the people they sideswipe, and who jump out of the window and abandon the passengers when the bus heads into a ditch.

As many critics of the system shift say, we do not need a new set of laws but strict enforcement of what we have at the moment. Strengthen the systems we have, especially the check and balance aspect of political governance, and punish those in the government who use their positions to empower and enrich themselves. A weak penal code - or the weak implementation of crime and punishment in the country - is the root of what debilitates us all. When politicians and criminals alike go unpunished or are only imposed with just a slap on the wrist for severe crimes such as bribery and corruption, we send out a wrong signal that it's okay to steal and abuse power. What we really need is a drastic paradigm shift.

--------------------------

We're seeing it now and we've seen it before. Political vindictiveness has once again come to the fore magnified by the impeachment of Chief Justice Sereno. This is one of the main reasons why everything that we try to gain in one incumbency is quickly lost when a new leadership takes over. Appointees by previous administration are usually replaced by the incumbent and it usually doesn't matter if that appointee is doing a great work or not. I'm not saying the Sereno was the most competent for that position but it's obvious she was impeached by the House primarily because she's appointed by Benigno "PNoy" Aquino.

Almost every House and Senate inquiry and/or impeachment proceeding is endorsed by the ruling party. The former Chief Justice Corona and the subsequent hospital arrest of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during PNoy presidency was motivated by politics. Granted that there were indeed plunder and corruption committed, there was never any doubt that had it not been by the arm swing of PNoy, their cases would have been thrown out of the window because both Corona (who died in 2016) and GMA did have strong political clout. But such clout easily disengaged when the president of the land came a-calling.

But if ever there's one true role model of political and personal vindictiveness, I'd say Duterte would be It. The horrors our president has committed easily surpass Pennywise's predatory and maniacal tactics. Duterte's favorite letter is V, as in V for Vendetta. There's Sen. Leila De Lima, one of Duterte's most vocal critics, whose cases had been railroaded (and possibly invented) to put her behind bars and effectively gag her. Then there is the impeachment of CJ Sereno as well as the inquiry on the Mamasapano and the Dengvaxia fiascos. The last two, in my opinion, are being blown out of proportions and are being spun and slanted by Duterte et al to have some issues thrown against PNoy. I didn't vote for PNoy and I thought him to be a very indecisive and uncharismatic leader but I consider him (but not all of his Cabinet, please take note) to be one of the most incorruptible of our politicians, past and present. Duterte has read enough of Machiavelli to decide that "an injury has to be done" and that "it should be so severe" to avoid retaliation so he's dumping all these issues on PNoy with the intent of shackling the former president.

Of course, retaliatory attacks against Duterte will not happen during his presidency - that's not how things work around here. Wait until his term is up (provided he's unable to extend it through Cha-Cha), and then the issues that would confront him are the EJKs (extra-judicial killings), his family's alleged involvement in rice and drug smuggling, and the Marawi Siege (a riposte to Mamasapano). What goes around, comes around.

--------------------------

I went to SM a few weeks ago, and I noticed these two chairs. They may just be ordinary plastic chairs but what caught my attention was the writing in them: "For Resting Employees".

SM employees are the poster people of unfair labor practices belonging to the social group called precariats. Precariats, I just learned, are individuals whose lives are "precarious" because their employment status provides them with so little security, financially and/or ethically speaking.

SM is notorious for the "endo" (short for end of contract) employment scheme, which basically relates to contractualization wherein employees are hired on a short-term basis (usually six months) so that companies can avoid paying for health and other insurance benefits. SM employees, especially the sales ladies, are one of the most abused groups of local precariats - working long hours and were previously not allowed to sit down during their shift while wearing high heeled shoes. These chairs are signs that the giant retail company is finally taking notice of the complaints voiced out by their own employees and concerned citizens. And there has been news that SM plans to regularize 10,000 employees this year, and I hope this will push through.

10 English Words That Have Alternative Meanings in the Philippines

2017-12-17T21:42:00.002+08:00

Every language has its own special quirks. Take for example Tuyuca, an indigenous language spoken by merely 1,000 people in Colombia and Northwestern Brazil. One noteworthy quirk of this language is that it has up to 140 genders! Talk about gender confusion. In the Philippines, we do have peculiar ways of messing up with our mother tongue and other languages such as, in this particular list, the English language. This is a must-read for those who want to vacation in the country and, please, make a special note of the last word because it could mean life or death for you. Serious.

10. Napkin

In the Philippines, this word is associated with the feminine hygiene pad. So if you're in a restaurant, it is better to specifically request for a "table napkin" or a "tissue" from your waitress.

9. Double Deck
A double deck is not a bus in the Philippines but a bunk bed.

8. High Blood
This term must not necessarily be taken as a medical emergency when you're in the Philippines. Filipinos use this both as an adjective and a verb, which could mean "super irritated or angry" or "going ballistic".

7. Racket
This word refers to a sports implement or "ruckus" in English, but we Pinoys use it to refer to a "sideline" or a scheme/plan to earn extra income.

6. Bedspace
Bedspace is defined as "a portion of a shared bed where one person sleeps" or "a space in which an individual bed is or is intended to be placed". In the Philippines, it means a single room rented out to at least two people. A bedspacer usually occupies and/or shares a bunk bed for cheaper rent.

5. Adidas/Betamax/Helmet
If your Filipino host tells you that he's going to buy you Adidas, it doesn't necessarily mean he's buying you a new pair of kicks. He'd probably take you down the street to treat you with a fave Filipino street food called "adidas" which is actually chicken feet BBQ. And usually alongside adidas are betamax (curdled and cubed chicken blood) and helmet (chicken head), both are also barbecued then dunk by customers in a soy sauce + vinegar dip. Palamig (coconut juice) is optional.

Pinoys' helmets offer no protection at all for your head.
(Image source: https://mygreatplates.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/exotic-street-food-chicken-head-helmet-ibaan-batangas-lutong-ibaan-taga-ibaan-ako-dennis-toreja-perez-1.jpg?w=470&h=313)

Adidas: These shoes are not fit for your feet.

(Image source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEY-s-lzTdwbsEiX4eJMYJRY3apUKOiLgaBV0gook02gpBSEffD4pTqWxHvsv18ZhD7tJVARKkBWEGdsx2XUisdz-6UhRPy9DRa28kmGdzBULIkPK8A4y-qWAzhiD3hv1YBA5wr363YnY/s1600/20027.jpg)

The blood-curdling Betamax: You beta watch out!
(Image source: http://www.toursnfoods.com/7-must-try-street-food-philippines)

4. Dirty Ice Cream
Please, don't take this literally. This doesn't mean that you're licking on a really dirty ice cream when you try to cool down in the Philippines. What you're actually eating is not the commercial ice cream that you get from the supermarkets or groceries but the homemade kind peddled by the sorbetero on the streets.

(Image source: http://sundatess.blogspot.com/2013/07/eats-sorbetes-ice-cream.html)

3. Comfort Room (CR)
When you're in the Philippines and you really, really need to use the toilet, just ask for the comfort room or (better yet) the CR. Do not use "bathroom" or "washroom" to avoid confusion and to prevent you from dumping something (yikes!) in inappropriate places.

2. Chancing
Chance means "by accident", but in the Philippine context "chancing" means quite the opposite. It means one (usually a guy) has the intent to touch someone playfully or inappropriately. This could be a play on the phrase "grabbing the chance" to touch a girl. This term (this is just my theory) could be a blend word for chance and dancing. Chancing became part of Pinoys' vocabulary around 1980's (maybe even earlier), a period when girls were considered to be more conservative and parents more strict and that the only chance a guy could touch his girl then would be during dances.

1. Salvage
This word gets the most twisted twist in the Philippines. Salvage is defined as "to save or to rescue". Shockingly, in the Philippines, this word could mean to kill or murder. This term and its macabre meaning came into use during the Marcos regime referring to victims of summary executions (now called extrajudicial killings or EJKs). There are quite a few theories of how this word gained a gruesome meaning in the country. One theory says the term came from the pseudo-anglicism of the Spanish word "salvaje" which translates to "wild, feral, or barbaric". Another theory is that it came from the English word "savage", which aptly describes how the victims are killed as they are usually bound and tortured. Or it could have evolved from media reports, i.e. "the victim's body was salvaged from a river", as victims are sometimes dumped into rivers and roadsides. The phrase "salvage victim/s" is still widely used by mainstream media in the Philippines.

SONA or Later - Duterte's Roadmap or Highway to Hell?

2017-07-30T20:07:00.000+08:00

Yes, I watched Duterte's speech for two grueling hours last Monday. And I was not disappointed to see and hear our president to once again ad lib, punctuate his points with expletives, launch personal attacks against whom he perceived to be enemies of the State, as well as advertise philandering.

He was able to stick to his written speech for the first 25 minutes or so, reading from the teleprompter. Then, as expected, he started going off-script. Duterte is obviously more at ease and more effective when he does impromptu. And, without failure, he displayed this charisma during his second state of the nation address, going rouge in selling his views (popular and unpopular) to his audience at Batasan Pambansa and TV sets across the country. He stood there in the rostrum like an angry rooster as he spewed his usual rhetoric about the war on drugs, how he would "hound to hell" those who would harm the nation's youth, etcetera. He also made disparaging comments against the US and the white race and resumed mimicking and mocking Obama (who is black BTW).

And not surprising (but still was able to raise my hackles) was the fact that most of those in the plenary were laughing and clapping with our bad-mouthed president. I noticed though, as Brillante Mendoza's panned through the gallery, that members of the diplomatic corps were sober and solemn. And of course, the opposition senators were not laughing most especially Risa Hontiveros. Vice-President Leni Robredo, when the camera angled towards her, likewise displayed a serious demeanor.

(Photo credit:https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8j5PtBsXJ8w/maxresdefault.jpg)

Duterte, in my opinion, failed to present a roadmap for our country to take until the next time he addresses the nation next year. His big announcement was probably the 2018 budget, the tax reform bill, and his threat against mining companies. He also failed to mention the accomplishments or the "changes" he had promised during his first SONA, except for Mighty Corp's Php25-B tax settlement. What he did was used that rostrum and his privilege speech to attack his critics - from the media to Jose Maria Sison. What he did was appealed to the emotions of the Filipinos, trying to awaken our sense of pride and patriotism. He mentioned the Balangiga Bells, the three church bells which the US army have taken as war loot in the battle of Balangiga in Eastern Samar way back in 1901.

"Give us back those Balangiga bells," Duterte said. "They are ours. They belong to the Philippines. They are part of our national heritage."

I was hoping that those words should be directed to China. "Give us back those islands," he should have said. I don't want to undermine the importance of those bells to our history and our fight for independence; however, the present is more important to me than the past. If Duterte has wanted to gain respect and admiration of the world and be considered as a strong leader, he should have made a firmer stance on the West Philippine Sea issue, not just mentioned it in passing in his SONA. His stance on WPS would have created a more resounding noise, much louder than those three bells clanging together.

Those islands are ours. They belong to the Philippines. They are part of our national heritage. They are not mere inanimate symbols. Ang mga isla ay sumasagisag ng ating kasarinlan, karapatan at kayamanan. I am hoping Duterte, the ever charismatic and populist demagogue, would have this epiphany sooner than later.

Erap Is A Joke!

2017-07-23T16:03:00.002+08:00

I never like Erap. And the recent news about his Manila Bay photo-op fiasco made me dislike him even more. To see Erap Estrada now, running Manila as its mayor is so beyond belief. He's been kicked out of Malacanang in 2001 due to corruption charges, allegedly receiving Php400M from jueteng payola plus Php180M more from tobacco excise funds. Are we Filipinos really that forgetful and forgiving to re-elect people like Erap, over and over again? Or are we just a brown bunch of ignoramuses who get afflicted with dementia every election period? Maybe some of us hallucinate or hear voices that convince us politicians like Erap can be reformed.

So now here he is, fulfilling his sworn duties and responsibilities (that's sarcasm), participating in a clean-up drive in Manila Bay. But what's wrong with the picture? Or more precisely, what's wrong with the video? Watch and you judge.

Back in 2013, as a newly elected mayor, Erap said he was not Superman but he will rebuild Manila. I doubted him then, I doubt him more now. I remember one of my professors in college expressing her disgust when she interviewed Erap for Newsweek during his presidency. She said she was ushered into a room full of Erap's bodyguards and barkada, and they were apparently chugging down beers. So she interviewed Erap in such an informal setting, drunk and slurring his words.

There's one thing though that I like about Erap - his jokes and the jokes about him. He could be considered as a national treasure for those. There are a handful of social media sites dedicated to his wisdom (sarcasm again) and comic timing (that is not sarcasm because he does really have good timing, thanks to his acting background). There are even books paying homage to this guy - Eraption: How to Speak English Without Really Trial (which tackles his "carabao" English) and Jokes Ni Erap. Below are some of his quotable quotes. Enjoy!

Some of my fave made up jokes from Eraption:

According to Erap, a pronoun is a noun that's "no longer an amateur."
Erap says Joan of Arc is the wife of Noah.
At a restaurant, after motioning with his hands several times to a waitress to get her attention, Erap complains to the manager. "I've been fingering your waitress for a long time, but she does not come."
Interviewer to Erap : Mr. President, I understand that when you were young you were asthmatic. Erap: No, that's not true... I've always been a Catholic.

(Image from http://vp021.deviantart.com/art/X-president-210494160)

Actual lines from ex-prez Joseph "Erap" Estrada.

When asked how he would rate his one-year-old presidency back in 1999:
"On a scale of 1-10, I'm between 75 and 80."

When asked if he's willing to kiss and make up with his nemesis Manoling Morato (who's rumored to be gay):
"Maybe I will be willing to make up, not kiss."

On the naysayers of his Cabinet members:
"Why should I revamp my cabinet that has been performing well? I think we should instead revamp those who are making criticisms."

On countering Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines allegation that reviving jai alai was anti-poor:
"Sa aking pananaw, walang masasabi na huhut-hutan ang mga mahihirap diro. Kung mahirap ka, e di wala kang pansugal (In my view, one cannot say that we are profiteering from the poor. Because the poor don't have betting money)."

The Duterte Series: Tongues Wagging, Tables Turning

2017-02-20T21:06:00.000+08:00

Back in September 2016, I wrote about the Davao Death Squad or DDS at the height of Edgar Matobato's testimony before the Senate's Justice and Human Rights Committee. I said back then "when there's smoke, there's fire" and right now the DDS rumor is fuelled some more by the recent revelation of retired SPO3 Arthur Lascanas, the alleged team leader of DDS. And by the looks of it, Lascanas is ready to talk not only to the media but also to any investigative body.

I fear that like Matobato, Lascanas will have bashers and detractors from all sides - Malacanang, Senate, Congress and Duterte's troll brigade. However, I'm very optimistic that their numbers - members and victims of DDS - will rise to show just how maniacal our president is. Yes, he's still got staunch supporters (how blind can they be?!) but soon more cracks will be found until Malacanang becomes a humungous sinkhole for Duterte and company to fall into. I would love to see the day when tables are turned, when Duterte sits before an inquiry and is being cussed by many while Radiohead's "Karma Police" plays in the background.

For more on Lascanas' confession, including his role in his brothers' killings, please click this link http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/20/17/i-had-my-two-brothers-killed-says-self-confessed-dds-man.

The Marcoses' Mind-Boggling Loot (Nasaan ang Hustisyaaaa?!)

2016-11-11T21:54:00.002+08:00

For the millennials who don't understand why there is so much brouhaha about Ferdinand Marcos' burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, here's just one facet of the Marcoses that's raising hackles in some quarters - their thievery. The former dictator and his family plus cronies raked in Philippines' wealth in cash and in kind while they're ruling and ruining the country for decades.

Marcos never officially won the record as the world's greatest thief (just like he never legitimately earned his Medal of Valor), but he could have gotten the Guinness title hands down. The list below, divulged by author Caroline Kennedy (not JFK daughter) in 1987, will give you an idea of the corruption and plunder of the Marcoses.

The following items appeared in the official custom list when Marcos and entourage arrived in Hawaii upon their exile. These were simply described as "household effects". Take note that the estimated amounts were made in 1986 so by now their loot is at much higher value.

22 Crates of Cash valued at $717 million dollars
300 crates of assorted jewellery Value undetermined
$4 million dollars worth of unset precious gems contained in Pampers diaper boxes.
$7.7 million dollars worth of jewellery, including a gold crown encrusted with diamonds, three tiaras, 65 Seiko and Cartier watches
A box, measuring 12 feet by 4 feet, crammed full of real pearls.
A 3 foot solid gold statue covered in diamonds and other precious stones.
$200,000 dollars in gold bullion and nearly $1 million dollars in Philippine pesos

Just a few of Imeda's trinkets up for auction: Bili na po kayo

(Photo from http://www.azgem.com/newsletters/newsletter-03-16.html)

As if we're not yet overwhelmed by the sheer amount of their "show money", Ms Kennedy continued:

"A week ahead of their departure 2000 tons of gold, worth $22 billion dollars, had been dispatched to Australia but, on a tip off, was intercepted by the vigilant Australian Customs. Weekly shuttle flights, transporting crates containing money, period furniture, antiques and Old Master paintings were reported to have flown to Hong Kong during the six months prior to their downfall in February 1986.

A further $250 million dollars worth of jewellery was also confiscated from a friend of Imelda’s who was caught smuggling them out of the country for her.

And this was probably just the beginning. Over two decades later the Philippines government is still trying to locate all the Marcos assets. Imelda has not helped them. She has claimed the Fifth Amendment. She has obfuscated. She has bribed. And she has lied. She told the Philippines commission charged with retrieving the stolen funds:

“If you know how rich you are, you aren’t rich. I have no idea how rich I am!”

Truly imeldific: Walang kupas, panay kumpas!

Following a request from the Philippines government, the Swiss government, for the first time ever in its history of secret banking, froze all assets they suspected of belonging to any member of the Marcos family. In the past five years the Swiss government revealed the existence of yet another Marcos account, holding almost $20 billion! And so it seems quite possible that one day we might actually find out just how rich the Marcoses were."

While in exile, the Marcoses continued their lavish lifestyle living in a multi-million dollar estate in Makiki Heights and regularly hosted parties and dinners to the rich and famous. The Marcoses also amassed stocks and real property assets abroad including at least four properties in New York. In 2012, US authorities discovered "a fresh cache of dollars, prime New York properties and paintings worth as much as P1 billion", according to a report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer. For full text of Ms Kennedy's report and to learn the full extent of the Marcoses' insatiable greed , you can visit https://anywhereiwander.wordpress.com/2011/06/24/%E2%80%9Cthe-marcoses-the-missing-filipino-millions%E2%80%9D/.

Funniest News Interview Ever

2016-09-23T21:29:00.001+08:00

This got me ROFL! I have to tell this news clip made my day. It's truly a welcome respite from news of rampant killings plus rampant corruption and swearing by our political leaders. Hope you enjoy this video, too!

The Duterte Series: Is his no.1 campaign promise now broken?

2016-09-19T21:55:00.000+08:00

During the campaign for the 2016 May elections, presidential candidates presented their campaign promises. They did so repeatedly and so zealously that they were foaming at the mouth. We know all campaign promises, like all other promises, are often declared but rarely delivered.

Is Duterte's campaign battle cry just deadened or dead?

But for people who have been clamoring for change, Duterte's promise to crack down on criminals got us all hoping - hoping that maybe this time a true harbinger of change is coming. And so D won an overwhelming mandate.

D promised he's going to suppress illegal drugs along with other forms of criminality in 3 to 6 months. He has given himself strict goals and deadlines. And millions of Filipinos took the bait. For so long, evening news have been our staple of gore as criminals, particularly the riding-in-tandem elements, brazenly rule our streets. D could be the man who could make criminals cower, just like how Dirty Harry did it with his "Go ahead, make my day" menacing utterance. Incidentally, Dirty Harry is known to be a fave character of D that our president gained the monicker Duterte Harry.

Many hoped for that D's promise. But earlier today, D asked for an extension. He said we should give him 6 more months to get rid of illegal drug problem. For some (that includes me) who are dismayed by the extrajudicial killings or the so-called deaths under investigation (DUI), this is really bad news because this would mean prolonging the purges. Don't get me wrong, I am definitely for making our streets and homes safer. Sino ba naman ang ayaw na mawala na ang mga drug pusher at user sa ating lipunan? But there must be a more humane way to accomplish D's promise. A more holistic approach could be the appropriate response, digging deeper to find out why the drug menace is so prevalent in our country. The experts say poverty, lack of education and dysfunctional familial relationships are the dangerous dynamics that incite drug dependency. True, this approach needs more time and resources but this is going to spare lives and families.

Aside from the war on drugs, I hope D will also focus on the other goals he mentioned on his campaign trail. I am strongly for getting rid of bureacratic red tape and employment contractualization, as well as improved health care for the poor and free irrigation to farmers. I am not for the shift to federal form of government. I don't think a system change is the answer; rather, it should be the strict implementation of our existing laws and ensuring our check and balance policy is intact. We may need to change the people running the system not the system itself. Kung corrupt ang tao, corrupt din ang sistema. To me, no matter how roadworthy the bus is, it all boils down to its driver. If he's a reckless one, always driving under the influence, we're likely to get off track. I don't care much about horsepower and torque, all I care is getting there safe and sound.

Clash of Clan(g)s at the Senate Hearing on EJK and DDS

2016-09-17T01:56:00.004+08:00

The halls of the Senate is once again agog with clashing views and and clanging balls. The inquiry on extrajudicial killings (EJK) under Duterte's administration has been going on and off for weeks now and it does offer interesting diversion for me.

*Interesting to see Sen. Trillanes and Sen. Cayetano are now on the opposite sides of the ring, so to speak. We saw them not long ago on the same side as they grilled to the bones the Binay camp, and now here they are on a pissing contest on the EJK case.

During the hearing last Wednesday Trillanes complained against Cayetano's "unli" or unlimited questioning, further describing his pee opponent as "out of order" - the sign you normally see outside our public comfort rooms.

"You are defending evil," Trillanes told Cayetano, apparently referring to Duterte. Cayetano, meanwhile, was indignant and complained of being trash-talked by Trillanes. And although Cayetano didn't back down from his "seatmate"s verbal intimidation, he decided to move to another seat.

*Interesting also how lawyers like Cayetano can bend facts to their "truths". I remember the senator treating the reports of the Philippine Daily Inquirer on the Binay's case as unbiased and gospel truths. Now he's calling the daily's headlines on EJK as prejudiced.

* "Politically motivated" is the term used by politicians who don't have anything to defend themselves against accusations hurled their way. We heard it from the Pork Barrel scam players to the so-called narco-politicos. And now, people in Duterte's camp are saying the same thing, that what Edgar Matobato has testified is purely "politically motivated".

*Of course, who are they kidding? Every big inquiry in the Senate and in the Congress is always politically motivated. We clearly saw the motivation behind the jueteng payola inquiry involving Erap Estrada which led to his impeachment. We saw the same motive in the plunder case against Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo which led to a long hospital arrest. Then there's the Chief Justice Renato Corona controversy which probably led to his early demise. And although a case is described as politically motivated, it does not mean there's not a grain of truth in it. Where there's a smoke, there's fire. So that means the clandestine Davao Death Squad or DDS could be really behind the enforced disappearances and summary executions of people down in Davao. Add this to the report released by WikiLeaks that as per US State Department intel there is a "solid evidence" that indeed DDS does exist with Duterte at its helm.

Where there's smoke, there's fire

(Photo source: https://www.saratogaweapons.com/Rob/smoking%20guns/dualsmokinguns.png)

The Duterte Series: Just (Wido)Do It

2016-09-16T23:25:00.001+08:00

It looks like our Pres. D is fast becoming Mr. Ambiguity. Latest incident involves Indonesian President Joko Widodo concerning the case of convicted Filipina drug mule Mary Jane Veloso. According to news reports, Duterte has said to "go ahead" and carry out the execution if Mary Jane is found guilty under the Indonesian judicial process. Our local media has picked up the news after D's statements made headlines in Indonesia. A lot of us were dismayed because during the previous administration extra diplomatic efforts were carried out to save Mary Jane from execution.

Mary Jane's case grabbed headlines because she insisted that she was duped into carrying 2.6 kilos of heroin into Indonesia in April 2010. She was sentenced to death in October the same year but was spared via moratorium enacted by then Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Her execution was reinstated thereafter with her death by firing squad set April 29 of last year but was granted a stay just minutes away from her execution. The Indonesian government decided to postpone her execution due largely to our government's appeal for reprieve while her case is being reinvestigated and also because of the public outcry the case has elicited across the globe.

Mary Jane Veloso: Living on a prayer

D's camp is on the clarificatory stage ever since the news broke, saying that the president didn't really give the green light. And today Widodo has clarified that what D actually told him was to "go ahead with the process in line with the law in Indonesia." But still the fat fact is our president didn't make an appeal to save Mary Jane. For those who expect him to do otherwise, particularly Mary Jane's family, I'm sure they're disheartened by the news. I personally didn't expect D to appeal because of his obvious stand against the illegal drug trade and its perpetrators.

Duterte: I didn't say "just do it" to Widodo (Photo source:www.ofwnewsfeed.com)

Why is D so often misquoted, misinterpreted or misunderstood as his men alway allege whenever the president elicits criticisms for his statements? D blames the media or the people around him but never himself for the negative publicity. His men always scramble to correct his numerous faux pas, both intentional and otherwise. Maybe it's not the media who's on the err here as D and his men always like to point out. I mean, if it only happens once or twice or is being committed by one or two reporters, he can argue that he's just being misquoted/misinterpreted/misunderstood. But it happens almost always. It happens whenever he opens his mouth, whomever is listening to him. It's obvious D lacks the communication skills needed for an effective national leader. Our leader should espouse clarity, never ambiguity, into which our country is being led to. You don't say you do not condone extrajudicial killings in one interview then promotes bounty hunting and democide in another. You don't say you respect human rights then later on adorn suspected criminals with bullet holes and placards.

The Duterte Series: My Pilot Monologue

2016-09-13T19:39:00.001+08:00

Today, I'm starting a series on Pres. Rodrigo Duterte. Please forgive me, if along the way, I offend some of you because of my strong opinions against our president. This is just my way of blowing off steam when I get frustrated with the goings-on in Malacanang, particularly the enigmatic man of the manor.

Let me make it clear that I didn't dislike D at the get-go. In fact, in the last quarter of 2015, when I was randomly surveyed via my mobile number about the possibility of D joining the presidential race I gave a favorable answer for him. I think the question was "Would you like Mayor Duterte to run for president?" and I quickly replied yes. Days later I was asked "Should Mayor Duterte run for president would you vote for him?". I answered yes. I was thinking then that here's a viable presidential candidate that was a non-trapo. I knew of his no-nonsense attitude, he's known to be fearless and has worked hard for Davao to make it a world - class city. Truly, his reputation preceded him. For me, at that time, D really stood out among the bland choices the electorate were offerred. Kumbaga sa hapag-kainan natin, si D ay kare-kare katabi ang prito at paksiw na isda lang.

So when D finally, albeit reluctantly, announced his candidacy I was excited. But as the campaign went on, as his media exposure broadened, my excitement deflated. It was not a sudden "pop", but a gradual death of my excited optimism that ended up with "pfff", a sound of disgust and disappointment. D has had no platform of governance but he was drawing crowds and cult following through his colorful language and dirty jokes. I have to admit he made me laugh with his very informal political speeches; he really was an engrossing speaker and downright down-to-earth guy. However, not long after spewing against the corruption and criminality in the land, there came spilling out the profanities and sexist and insensitive jokes. That's when I decided to part ways with D.

Davao Blast, Duterte's Bluster

2016-09-04T00:45:00.001+08:00

I was up late last night, alternately browsing and drowsing, when all of a sudden my Twitter got flooded by news of the Davao blast. When I turned on ANC, there it was the grim vestiges of another terrorist attack in Davao. Bodies were everywhere; they were bloodied, strewn, and riddled with the fragments of the IED (improvised explosive device). The blast came just a few hours after Pres. Duterte's early evening presscon. I caught the last portion of the presscon when Duterte, as usual, was justifying his war on drugs. He was replying to a question by a foreign journalist apparently about the extralegal killings and violation of human rights allegedly being committed at the behest of the government. Duterte was saying the international community should not just rely on the death toll of his anti-drug campaign but they should come here and see for themselves what his government is actually accomplishing. He mentioned his beloved Davao, clearly making the city as the model of how successful his dealings with the criminal elements are. "Don't fuck with me," he once again told the international community and anyone who criticizes his method. He invited the journalist to walk the streets of Davao, and if the journalist got mugged or murdered or "even lost his wallet" Duterte said he will resign as the president. I hope the journalist didn't heed Duterte's advice to walk the streets to may be ending up in Roxas Night Market where the explosion occurred.

It is a slap in the face of Duterte that shortly after his pronouncement to the reporter, the blast rocked Davao killing at least 14 and injuring more than 70 innocent people. And for the Davaenos, and the rest of us citizenry, it is a wake up call; that despite our politicians' dictum of them keeping us safe, any one of us could be a collateral damage - whether it's the war on drugs or the war on terror. I'm sure no amount of words or gestures would appease the hurt of those left behind.

Morning came and the chaos continued. That is, chaos amongst the president's men. There was confusion if the state of lawless violence so informally announced by Duterte is confined in Davao, or the whole island of Mindanao, or the entire country. Later on it was clarified that is in full effect nationwide.

I know a lot will take umbrage at my take on our present leadership. But I take offense when someone (whatever his/her standing in our society) talks with so much bravado, with tactless dictates then fails to follow it through with action. I would appreciate it more if it's otherwise - a lot less talk, a lot more action.

So I would admire our president more if he actually severs tie with the UN and not just threaten it with words. Or much better, he should not have declined Ban Kin- moon's request for meeting so he can tell the UN chief to his face to not meddle in our internal affairs. I would admire our president more if he seeks an audience with the Chinese leaders during the Asean Summit in Laos next week and tell them, to really tell them, that they should abide by the verdict of the arbitration case over the South China Sea. Tell them to be damned with their nine-dash line. That way Duterte doesn't have to jetski all the way to the Spratlys to stake our claim on the islands, as he had blabbered on during his campaign. Face to face, Duterte can tell his Chinese counterpart to do something about their nationals going to our shores to smuggle in drugs. And by the way, it is not only drugs that Chinese are illegally bringing in with them. They are also smuggling in rice, meat, gadgets and other commodities and we are losing a lot in the form of tariffs because of this. It is reported that the bulk of smuggled goods in the country comes from China, that from 2010-2014 alone they snuck in products amounting to Php2 trillion according to report by The Manila Times. With these I am hoping that our president is able to say to the Chinese "Don't fuck with my people. And don't fuck with me." But, alas, according to the Palace our president is not going to do bilateral meetings with China in the Asean summit or talk about the issue of the South China Sea thereat.

(Source: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/87/aa/b4/87aab4a36ae6eddf3b928a0e8102e7ce.jpg)

My Long Hiatus Justified

2016-09-03T19:27:00.004+08:00

I'm alive again after so many months of absence in dishing out opinions, whether they're unbiased or otherwise. I blamed Smart and Globe and their lousy Internet service that I wasn't able to blog for quite some time now. These telcos are robbing us, my God! Whatever happened to the Telstra group? Last I heard their joint venture with San Miguel didn't push through. Well, anyway, now I'm connected via Converge for two weeks and I say it's an improvement. So far. Hopefully, Converge will remain reliable for my sanity's sake. 😂😃😍😉

Astronomical Price for Mayweather-Pacquiao Pay-Per-View

2015-03-27T22:26:00.000+08:00

My initial reaction was: "What?!"

Our cable provider, Dream Satellite TV, just posted on its website and Facebook page that it's going to sell the event via pay-per-view for Php 2,500 (regular rate) and, for the early bird promo, you have to shell out Php 2,000.

Last Pacquiao PPV bout courtesy of Dream was on November 2014 against Algieri, which was pegged at Php650 with the early bird at Php500. I was expecting that Dream was going to merely double the price at the most for this long overdue superfight. Apparently not. Now, in my Hamlet mode, my conscience (and wallet) wrestles: To buy or not to buy? Alas, the slings and arrows of precarious fortune!

And now, for the love of boxing and of Pacquiao, let's get ready to fumbleeeeee (with our wallets)!

Feces contains gold worth millions?! Holy S*#@!

2015-03-25T00:30:00.001+08:00

I just read this one interesting news and have to share it.

Experts in the US say that what you, uh, unload onto your toilet seat may be a mother lode of gold and other precious metals. According to a recent study, waste from one million Americans could contain $13M worth of metals. Other than gold these metals include copper, platinum, silver and vanadium. Vanadium is a rare earth metal and is used as additive to other metals, such as steel, to considerably increase their strength.

The US Geological Survey team are now finding a way (hopefully fast enough) to extract these minerals from biosolids that come out of the country's wastewater facilities.

Human race could be sitting on a potential gold mine (Photo source: http://super-trainer.com/fierce-personal-training-competition)

To read the entire article, please go to https://sg.news.yahoo.com/feces-contains-gold-worth-millions-015640270.html.

Kris, Noynoy vie for the Tactless Throne

2015-03-10T16:26:00.001+08:00

It seems being tactless is a characteristic quite unique with the Aquino family, whereby their gift of gab tends to run amok. We all know that Kris Aquino is the Tactless Queen of showbiz and her brother - Noynoy the President - well, he can easily get the crown as the Tactless King of the republic.

The Iron Throne (for the tactless):
Who deserves it better - Kris or Noynoy?
(Photo source: www.gameofthrones.tv)

Yesterday in Malacanang during Q&A with Christian leaders, the president didn't mince words when asked about the Mamasapano incident particularly towards the alleged man on the helm former SAF (Special action Forces) Chief Getulio Napenas. Talagang hugas kamay to the max si Noynoy!

"Binola niya ako," Noynoy said referring to Napenas, then more jaws dropped when he called the beleaguered high-ranking police officer as "tatanga-tanga". This coming from the Commander-in-Chief of the land? Clearly, Noynoy doesn't only lack the gumption to assume responsibility to what tragically transpired in Mamasapano, but also the finesse in handling sensitive issues. Remember the Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude case? When asked if he's going to attend the wake of the transgender killed in Subic allegedly by US serviceman Joseph Scott Pemberton, Noynoy answered: "In general, I don't attend wakes of people I don't know."

For Pres. Noynoy's long and self-exonerating narrative on the Mamasapano tragedy, visit http://www.interaksyon.com/article/106569/mamasapano-his-version--pnoy-gives-detailed-account-of-jan--25-mission-as-boi-report-gets-delayed.

"3 Things" From 1 Great Artist

2014-10-09T21:11:00.000+08:00

I just want to post this music video - latest from Jason Mraz - because it doles out positive vibes. I think we really need determination and positivity amidst the calamities in our country, both natural and man-made. By man-made I meant the corrupt acts of our leaders that persistently hound us. "Persistently hound" is a redundancy; the same way Binay, Napoles, and Purisima, et. al., are redundancies in our government.

Kudos to Mr Mraz for coming up with another motivational music - this guy has a real upbeat attitude about life. Maybe we should all go vegan like him. :)

Binay, Purisima, Napoles: These"3 things" we don't need (Photos from Inquirer and ABS-CBN)

Alyzza Agustin - The Woman Who Stopped (A) Traffic (Enforcer)

2014-09-30T21:22:00.003+08:00

A lot of us who's been to the Metro had - once or more times over, one way or another - experienced the bladder-bursting traffic of its thoroughfares AND encountered the ever cunning MMDA enforcers. Swerte ka pag medyo mabait ang nakahuli, pero madalas malas ka. Kaya kundi gutom, mainit ang ulo marahil ang nakahuli sa iyo. Pag gutom, mahina ang Php200; pag mainit ang ulo at wala namang lagnat most likely you'd been slapped with a TVR (traffic violation receipt). So, in other words, wala kang lusot EXCEPT if you're the super sultry, sexy friend of PNP Director for Plans Alexander C. Ignacio. Luckily FHM model Alyzza Agustin, she fits all the super-sultry-sexy superlatives and happens to be the executive assistant or EA (owws!) of Chief Superintendent Ignacio. Allegedly, Ignacio has given Alyzza a permit to carry his signed business card probably to get this hot babe out of traffic snarls and other mishaps.

Ahh, the very erudite Alyzza rising from the sea

Sizzling Alyzza apparently didn't think much (or didn't think at all) that posting her "triumph" of dodging TVR with the help of Ignacio's card THEN posting it on Facebook can cause so much brouhaha. Now when the PNP is under siege because of the proliferation of hoodlums in uniforms and corruption among the ranks? Is this woman for real? Oh, lest we forget, if the card was truly signed by Ignacio, he should be in the hot seat along with PNP Chief Purisima in the Senate.

MMDA Enforcer: Hindi n'yo ba alam na coding kayo? Lisensya n'yo.
Alyzza: Hindi ko dala, eh. Pwedeng ito na lang? (hands him the card)
MMDA: Naku, pwedeng-pwede po ito ma'am. Pwede po kayo mag u-turn dyan, ma'am, ako ang bahala. Baka nauuhaw kayo, ma'am? (Offers his buko juice with a big smile)

Incidentally, one of the reviews of the novel The Woman Who Stopped Traffic, from which the title above was inspired on, starts with this line: "Be careful who your friends are ... It’s the dawn of social media...".

Friends din kaya sina Alyzza at Ignacio sa Facebook?

Back At It

2014-04-29T00:25:00.001+08:00

So after a long hiatus, I'm back!

A lot has happened since my last post - Yolanda barreled through, Mandela passed away, Gigi Reyes has returned from abroad, and presidential sister Kris decided to date again. I saw Krissy on TV today sporting her new 'do during the state dinner for US president Obama. I wonder if she'd able to snag an agent from the Secret Service. Speaking of which I heard salacious news about some members of the SS uncorking too much alcohol and too much of the female species on their posts overseas. That made me wonder where they're going to spend their R&R during their short stay here. Uhmm, perhaps the KTVS and bars in Pasay are a convenient destination for them.

I really do miss ranting about Kris. LOL.

More on the Pork Barrel Scam - News, Pasabog, at Iba Pa!

2013-09-22T21:48:00.002+08:00

Almost a month after Janet Lim-Napoles "surrendered" to President Aquino, not much had been accomplished in my opinion. Justice delayed is justice denied they say, and that's also my view.

Sec. Leila De Lima said her office together with NBI needed that looong time frame to gather evidence against the perpetrators of the Php 10-B PDAF scam lest they will not have their day in court. But considering that not much is kept secret for long here in our country - be it a showbiz sex video or a confidential political matter- I think time is always of import. In the weeks that our government agencies were gathering evidence, some of the suspects have flown the coop way, way before the charges were filed on September 16.

According to the Bureau of Immigration these six people are now out of the country (indicated here are their alleged dates of departure):

Rodofo Plaza (Sept. 11)

Gigi Reyes (Aug. 31)

Ruby Tuazon (Aug. 26)

Antonio Ortiz (Sept 6)

Dennis Cunanan (Sept. 13)

Pablo Nemecio Jr. (May 22, 2010)

Thirty-eight personalities were implicated and charged with plunder including the six above. Prominent of these personalities are Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla; and House Representatives Rodolfo Plaza (Agusan del Sur), Samuel Dangwa (Bengue), Constantino Jaraula (Cagayan de Oro City). There is, of course, the mind behind this brazen scheme - Ma'am Napoles (as what Sec. Roxas fondly call her).

------------------------------------------

On September 12, the public had the chance to see whistleblower Benhur Luy for the first time without his signature black cap. He testified before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee primarily regarding how his relative and former employer Janet Napoles conducted a very lucrative business using fake non-government organizations. We've been reading on some social media networks how Napoles had her bathtub filled up with cash, and if Luy's testimony were to be believed, that was indeed the case (or the tub). And also straight from the horse's mouth we heard about "Sexy", who Luy implicated but not directly named during his testimony. We all know, of course, that "Sexy" is Jinggoy and that "Tanda" is Enrile and "Pogi" is Revilla. The aliases were allegedly written in Napoles' blue and red books (or whatever color they are), which recorded the scam queen's dealings with the crooked personalities.

---------------------------------------------

Speaking of Jinggoy, I heard that he'll deliver a privilege speech to unveil a bigger scam. Damay-damay na ito! My guess is Pnoy's name will be mentioned. Kayo ano sa palagay n'yo?

---------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, tomorrow (Sept. 23) will be Napoles' arraignment on the serious illegal detention case filed against her. This after the Makati RTC junked her motion for deferment (postponement) for said arraignment. The hearing is set at 1:30 pm and expect hordes of security to safeguard the claustrophobic defendant.

--------------------------------------------

Here's another bombshell about this controversial issue, and the bomb has been dropped by an unlikely mole - Ms Lolit Solit. Yes, that loud-mouthed and uncontrollable showbiz writer/talk show host/manager/talak commander of the entertainment industry. Below is excerpts of Arnold Clavio's column (http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/sep2213/op_ac.htm#.Uj7tKYZ0waj) containing Solis' allegations:

"May bagong pasabog si Nanay Lolit Solis nang makausap namin noong Biyernes ng umaga sa aking radio program sa DZBB 594kHz -- ang kanyang minamahal na kaibigan na si Janet Lim-Napoles ay nagkakaroon pala ng pagkakataon na nakakalabas ng Fort Sto. Domingo sa Sta. Rosa, Laguna para makaligo sa kanyang bahay sa Alabang.

Siguradong tataas na naman ang kilay ng mga kinauukulan sa impormasyong ito.

Totoo o hindi? Isa-isahin natin ang mga impormasyon na ikinuwento ni Nanay Lolit:
- Noong umaga ng Agosto 20, ibinulgar ni Nanay Lolit ang naging pagtawag ni Executive Sec. Jojo Ochoa kay Napoles noong Disyembre 2009 para humingi ng campaign funds sa kandidatura ni noo’y Sen. Benigno Aquino III.

- Tanghali ng Agosto 20, tumawag si Napoles kay Nanay Lolit at umiiyak na nagsabi, “Nay, bakit mo binanggit ‘yung kay Jojo Ochoa. Naku magagalit si PNoy niyan. I-retract mo Nay!”

- Sa mga pagtitipon kay Napoles, ikinuwento ni Nanay Lolit na dumalo sina Julia Abad, head ng PMS at Gerry Acuzar, bayaw ni Ochoa. Pati na rin mga asawa nina Senate President Franklin Drilon, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Revilla at iba pa.

- Dagdag pa ni Nanay Lolit, sako-sako ng pera ang ipinamamahagi ni Napoles tuwing may party ng Pebrero 28 at Disyembre 20 sa kanyang mga bisita. Siya ay nakakatanggap mula P50,000 hanggang P100,000.00.

- Noong Biyernes, ibinulgar ni Nanay Lolit kung bakit hindi pa nahuhuli ang kapatid ni Napoles na si Reynald Lim. Iyon daw ang personal request ni Napoles bago sumuko.

Sa lahat ng mga impormasyon ni Nanay Lolit, na layong makatulong sana sa imbestigasyon ng gobyerno laban sa iligal na gawain ni Napoles, ang tanging sagot ng Malacañang – “huwag nating paniwalaan si Nanay Lolit... taga-showbiz lang ‘yan.”

Ganyan rin ang sagot ng Malacañang kay dating Sen. Kit Tatad na nagbulgar na bago sumuko si Napoles ay nananghalian pa ito sa palasyo."

Breaking Bad 5th and Final Season - Things Get Badder, Uglier

2013-09-13T21:19:00.001+08:00

This show just wouldn't let go of its audience. Just like a rabid dog, Breaking Bad twitches and trembles and sinks its teeth on our visceral with such rapacious hold.

Fans of this critically-acclaimed production are not disappointed as creator/producer Vince Gilligan and the whole team come up with edge-of-your-seat cinematic ride episode after episode as it reaches its finale. We are now giddily awaiting Episode 14 and it's anyone's guess who's going to hit the dust in the shootout. The final segment of Episode 13 takes us to the vast Albuquerque desert with Walt (Bryan Cranston) handcuffed and screaming at the top of his tumored lungs, and Jesse (Aaron Paul) cowering to dodge bullets. Meanwhile, Hank (Dean Norris) and Agent Gomez (Steven Michael Quezada) are outnumbered while exchanging fire with Todd (Jesse Plemons) and his deadly posse.

No doubt about it, the final season of this series is made up of twists and more twerks than Miley Cyrus had ever done (or will do). Ratting out and ratting on is the game plan, where loyalty fumbles for equilibrium and self-preservation kicks in way, way faster than a meth shot.

Certainly, all things must come to an end, including great shows like Breaking Bad. However, unlike a drug rush this series will leave a lasting effect to many for its memorable characters and unrehashed plots. Fans will have a long and hard time detoxing Breaking Bad from their system for sure.

Miley Cyrus Gets Buck Naked in Wrecking Ball Video

2013-09-10T22:02:00.001+08:00

Certainly, there will be eyebrows and hackles raised from some conservative quarters at the latest music video of the ever-twerking, ever controversial Miley Cyrus.

The second single from her Bangerz album titled Wrecking Ball has almost 16 million views just less than a day of its release on Cyrus' VEVO page on YouTube. Terry Richardson, photographer for hottest fashion mags, directed the video. I wonder whose idea is it for Miley to straddle balls, er, wrecking ball with just her boots on.

Undoubtedly, the singer has matured in many ways. She sounds great here - angst and vulnerability is heard throughout the song. I would have given the video itself a thumbs-up had Miley kept her clothes on. I mean, does everything have to be sexualized nowadays to garner greatness? Oh, don't give me that bull about nudity as an extension of vulnerability, rawness of emotions, etcetera. I stopped digging for metaphors when Miley's blood-red lips appeared and started licking that sledgehammer.

How about you, what do you think?

Watch the full video here:

Madam Miriam is Back!

2013-09-09T22:31:00.000+08:00

She's back and she's at it again with her quotable quotes and unequivocal pick-up lines.

Our national treasure, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, as usual ruffled some feathers with her latest pasaring to her co-legislators implicated in the pork barrel controversy.

"Eat, blank, and die," she said, and coming from her there's no guessing that "blank" was in place of a curse. No wonder many of her nemeses consider her the Maleficent of Senate because she throws curses without so much of a ritual.

(Photo from AP)

And certainly the curse is not enough for she continued: "Abolish the Congress. Commit harakiri. We owe it to the Filipino people. Wear our Filipino robes, bow in front of TV and harakiri ourselves."

She also imparted she will not visit any of her colleagues should they are put behind bars for their corrupt practices.

"Papadalhan ko sila ng CD ng speeches ko. Paandarin nila doon," the senator said.

Better ask Atty. Vitaliano Aguirre how torturous it is to hear Santiago's "shrill voice". Aguirre was the lawyer during the impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona who dared to cover his ears when Santiago was heatedly giving the prosecution panel a dressing down.

--------------------

I personally know that Madam Santiago never minces words. I saw Sen. Santiago during my Diliman days as she was one of our resource persons on a symposium about law and the mass media. In she walked with a bevy of bodyguards, heady perfume and, wow, a pair of sexy legs! When everyone was settled in for the program to start, she maneuvered the mic her way - I can't remember how she did it - and announced that the law cited on the poster behind her was already obsolete and that there's had been a more current jurisprudence relating to the topic. The organizers, as expected, were quite abashed considering their ignorance and failure to research more on the subject matter. LOL. Good thing she was in a good mood and hadn't delivered a lecture to the organizers about their inactive neurons

More Napoles Properties Discovered in the US (What the Pork?!)

2013-08-28T23:20:00.001+08:00

As if the staggering number of cars and houses of the Napoles here in the Philippines wasn't enough to have your heads reeling, here are their high-end properties in the United States as found out and reported by the ABS-CBN news channel ANC. You can watch the video here http://anc.yahoo.com/video/documents-show-napoleses-own-hotel-153634903.html. Photos below were screengrabs from the ANC news report.

The Anaheim Express Inn in Anaheim, California acquired by West Ventures Management, Inc. The listed owners of West Ventures are James Napoles (CEO) and Reynald Lim (Vice-President). The company, according to the ANC report, bought the hotel in 2006 for $7-M. James Napoles is the son of Janet Lim-Napoles while Reynald Lim is her brother.

This mansion in Canyon View, a gated community in Irvine, is valued at $1.4-M.

The commercial property in Covina, Los Angeles.

Jeane Napoles reportedly occupies a Ritz-Carlton unit which cost $1.2-M in 2011.