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A Wealth of Information: Imee Marcos’ Cebu Tarp Removal During Sinulog Not Personal?

wealth
By: Elena Grace Flores

The Fiesta Señor is a weeklong celebration that venerates the child Jesus in the image of the Santo Niño. This culminates in the Sinulog Festival taking place this Sunday where’s there’s a wealth of performances. Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña orders the removal of an oversized tarpaulin of the senatorial candidate and Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos from a street corner. He said that it’s not personal because Cebuanos hate to politicize the sacred event. The governor then responds thanking the mayor for the reminder and that she would request her supporters to immediately remove it. z

YouTube video byBongbong Marcos

[VIDEO]: Sen. Bongbong Marcos – Sinulog Festival (16 January 2011)

Not About Politics?

Credit where credit is due. This is not about politics, this is only about the Sinulog and how sacred it is to the Cebuanos, Osmeña explains. “Nothing personal. My own brother is running for Senator and I didn’t invite him to come,” he added. Osmeña is the brother of senatorial candidate Sergio Osmeña III. Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma earlier asks that the Church “stay away from politics” in light of the upcoming 2019 midterm elections.

Speaking for all Cebuanos?

“The Cebuanos do not appreciate the politicization of the Sinulog. This won’t be earning you any votes and is doing you more harm than good,” the Cebu City mayor said. Perhaps in this instance, the mayor cannot speak for all Cebuanos. In fact, the governor’s Cebuano supporters are responsible for the tarpaulin display. Although she takes responsibility with the acts done by her local team. This says a lot about her character.

Sinulog 2011 Flashback with Bongbong Marcos

Then Senator Bongbong Marcos was one of the thousands–if not millions–of devotees and participants who joined the Sinulog Festival in Cebu on 16 January 2011. Senator Bongbong was prepared to be drenched willingly by the heavy downpour that “blessed” the 5-kilometer walk, were it not for the timely cessation of the rains, which had already by then soaked the early birds among the wholesome mob of devotees, including the Cebu City Mayor at that time, Michael Rama while Gwen Garcia was governor who believes that Marcos was cheated during the 2016 elections.

Rama’s Electoral Protest Coincides with Marcos

Supported by 42 barangay captains, Rama filed the protest against Osmeña on May 20 last year. Osmeña defeated Rama in the mayoralty race in the May 2016 polls. Rama got 233,186 votes while Osmeña got 267,222 votes. Rama said the results are “statistically highly improbable.” We are all victim of what really occurred with the Liberal Party and of course with my local opponent group (Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan),” he alleged. The evidence gathered on his protest actually coincides with the VP Protestant, Marcos against the presumptive VP, Leni Robredo.

Gracious Act is True Wealth

Gov. Marcos’ reaction cannot really draw negative criticisms from the opposition’s media. In fact, she is admired for being cool and appreciative of Osmeña’s efforts in reminding her through Twitter as escalated by the mainstream press outlets. She would surely get more votes contrary to the Cebu Mayor’s prediction. His brother did well in 2010. Marcos was elected as Senator of the Philippines under the Nacionalista Party just few months before his Sinulog 2011 appearance. The Marcoses’ loyslists in Cebu are massive that BBM has to grace the event to thank them for their support.

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The Winning Streak: Senator Binay Addresses Cyber-Bullying with the Golden Rule

Senator
By: Elena Grace Flores

Despite the below the belt criticisms against her since the 2016 elections, Senator Nancy Binay has no sign of bitterness during her CNN interview. She is thankful to Pinky Webb for having her at The Source. It brings her joy to share her experience and advocacy against cyberbullying. Many people’s character can change easily during bad times but not Binay. Instead, she is able to turn around the negativities online into victory. Now, she’s disclosing her winning streak. z

YouTube video byElena Grace Flores

[VIDEO]: Pinky Webb of CNN Philippines summarizes the Anti-Bullying book of Senator Nancy Binay by saying: Do not do to others what you do not want others to do unto you.

The Senator is Open to Constructive Criticism

Senator Binay cannot see any reason to feel bad on constructive criticisms. She said that for as long as they are true, those could serve as guidelines for her self improvement. Nevertheless, she does not want to tolerate cyber-bullying because of its fatal circumstances. Binay reminds viewers to think first what would others feel when bashed wrongly.

The Golden Rule

Webb summarizes Binay’s anti-cyberbullying strategies using the golden rule. Do not do unto others what you do not want others to do unto you. She is also a contributor to Binay’s slam book on the subject who admits that she does get hurt in the midst of irresponsible criticisms. However, she chooses not to dwell with it and move forward instead.

Stand on DFA Data Fiasco

In light of the passport data breach, and to further protect the privacy of individuals, Senator Binay calls on the solicitor general to review the contracts of government’s data management providers. She urges the agency to verify the agreements with third-party software and data operators particularly those that concern the national database system.

SLE or “Lupus” Bill

The Senator files a bill in the Senate to promote public awareness and institute early detection and prevention of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) or the “Lupus” disease. “There is no cure for SLE, however, medical interventions and lifestyle changes can help control it,” she said. Binay authors Senate Bill No. 2070 known as “Comprehensive Lupus Prevention Act of 2018.” SLE or “Lupus” is a chronic auto-immune disease where the immune system attacks the body’s cells and tissue. This results to the inflammation and tissue damage in different parts of the body. It mostly affects the heart, joints, skin, lungs, blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and nervous system. Kris Aquino is currently suffering from this kind of condition.

Black is Beautiful

Online bashers are fond of calling the good Senator, charcoal. Although, most of these haters do not realize that they are criticizing the original Filipino skin. She might be referred to as such but her heart is on fire for wanting to serve the people regardless of their political affiliations. She previously filed a resolution that made the 2016 election fraud Senate inquiry possible. Bongbong Marcos is thankful to her on this issue.

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The Supreme Court En Banc Sets Martial Law Extension Petition Argument Next Week

Supreme Court
By: Elena Grace Flores

Solicitor General Jose Calida files his comment on the petition recently. He insists that rebellion still exists. “The issue of whether such rebellion persists must have the verification of the executive department. Then, the approval by the legislative department must follow. These are the two of the three co-equal branches of the government. The Supreme Court en banc sets the oral arguments of the petition against martial law extension on January 22 and 23. z

YouTube video byGMA Public Affairs

[VIDEO]: Kamakailan lamang ay muling ipinalawig ni Pangulong Duterte ang Batas Militar sa Mindanao hanggang Disyembre 2019. Ano-ano na nga ba ang naging epekto nang pagpapatupad nito noong nakaraang taon?

Martial Law Extension Resistance

Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice previously says that martial law extension reflects on the military’s performance and that this is not necessary for Mindanao. The Magnificent 7 lawmakers led by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman earlier files the first petition. On top of that, another group of opposition lawmakers challenges the factual basis of President Rodrigo Du30’s third extension of martial law before the Supreme Court.

The Opposition Group’s Arguments

The lawmakers argue that the government fails to prove that this specific public safety requirement exists.” They said that Du30 requests for its extension with general terms instead of factual arguments. The President allegedly did not submit a more detailed report to support his administration’s statement of continuing rebellion in Mindanao. The members of Congress did not receive such document. They believe that the rebellious incidents do not endanger public safety. This a ground to impose martial law under the Constitution, they added.

The Anti-Martial Law Lawmakers

The Makabayan bloc is composed of House Representatives Carlos Isagani Zarate of Bayan Muna, Emmi De Jesus and Arlene Brosas of Gabriela, Ariel Casilao of Anakpawis, Antonio Tinio and France Castro of ACT Teachers and Sarah Jane Elago of Kabataan party list.

Defending the Country’s Sovereignty through the Supreme Court

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana assures the public that the military “will continue to uphold its mandate of defending the sovereignty of our state. Then, to retain the integrity of the country’s territory and protect the democratic way of life of our people. This with full respect for human rights, international humanitarian law and the primacy of the rule of law, of course.”

The Able Respondents

Named as respondents are President Rodrigo Du30, Congress of the Philippines represented by Senate President Vicente Sotto III and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, Jr., and Philippine National Police Director General Oscar Albayalde.

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Atty. Glenn Chong’s Election Fraud Documentation Detailed in a Website after Facebook Suppression

Election
By: Elena Grace Flores

Atty. Glenn Chong who is the most vocal witness of the Senate election fraud hearing is not the only whistleblower of such poll anomalies since former President Noynoy Aquino’s time in 2010. However, people can relate to him as a credible politician because of his technical knowledge as an IT and election law expert. He also has the charm and intellect to garner supporters through social media. Despite the recent Facebook suppression, Chong manages to bring his fight to a wider audience using the organic traffic technique of websites. z

YouTube video byAng Malayang Pilipino

[VIDEO]: “PCOS FRAUD” – Baliktanaw sa 2015 Documentary ni Atty. Glenn Chong

Aquino’s Role in the Election Manipulation

Chong’s documentation coincides with the stories of another witness who said that the main beneficiary of the massive election cheating in 2010 is Aquino himself. The worst part is that the government has to shell out at least 1 billion pesos expenses for its continuous operation in favor of his party that the presumptive Vice President Leni Robredo now leads.

Mafia-Like Control

It is evident that most of Atty. Chong’s revelations are not in the news of the mainstream media. He resorts to Facebook to educate the people about the opposition’s crime against the people’s will. Nevertheless, the platform now leans towards supporting the anti-administration stalwarts. It blocks posts that are pro-Du30, Marcos, and Chong. This is the reason why the relevant documentation of Chong is already featured on a website that captures organic traffic.

Organic Website Traffic

Websites that generate high traffic rate need not be promoted via social media. They come out through Google searches using keywords. This means that the information they cover can have a wider audience worldwide regardless of their political affiliations. Once the main website is linked with other platforms, the distribution of the details is massive.

Public Confidence is with Chong

The automated election has lost its credibility because of the noise created by Atty. Chong. Therefore, it only makes sense that the government can gain back its edge by involving the lawyer in the management of Comelec should it wishes to continue the existing digital election system. At the moment, Chong runs for Senator in the hope that he could instill his clean election advocacy better when he is in the position to do so.

Nothing can Suppress the Truth

Facebook is just a platform – one of the websites per se. Passion, talent, and determination can’t die because of one mere technology system. Yet, the educational campaign of Chong can reach greater heights. In the end, FB suppression is the opposition’s biggest mistake.

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Is Facebook Against Democracy for Pleasing Robredo’s Kind?

democracy
By: Elena Grace Flores

The presumptive Vice President Leni Robredo accused of cheating in the 2016 elections by former Senator Bongbong Marcos is happy about the ban of Facebook on a local company behind the pro-President Rodrigo Du30’s posts. “This is huge, like a gift to the people,” Robredo said in her weekly radio program. However, owners of such accounts who are legitimate supporters of the current administration hate Robredo and her kind more. This goes the same to the Marcos supporters. Is Facebook killing democracy in the country? They asked. It is a now a common occurence that these accounts are either taken out or blocked from posting links or articles. z

YouTube video by PLAKADO Prodaxons

[VIDEO]: IKINATUWA NI VICE PRESIDENT LENI ROBREDO ANG UMANO’Y PAG-BAN SA MGA PRO-DUTERTE FACEBOOK ACCOUNTS. ALAMIN ANG BUONG DETALYE.

Hypocrisy Looms

“It’s not for me, but for the whole Philippines that it’s OK to criticize, as long as the basis of criticism is true,” Robredo said. She cites two Facebook pages ran by Twinmark Media Enterprises Inc. – Filipino Channel Online and Trending News Portal – as having “run fake news against opposition figures,” with her as the “number one” target. This is a big puzzle to Filipinos because of this questionable VP’s supporters are also doing the same thing. In fact, she is popular as the ultimate source of Fake News against the Du30 administration. She is also critical about the Marcoses using unfounded lies.

Selective Democracy

Not enough, she said that Facebook should continue such actions, claiming that thousands of fake troll accounts still exist including the ones from her group. She often blasts the government as an entity that does not allow words of decent. That every time she’s ignored, it is already her common expression that democracy dies. Is democracy dead then again?

Not a Big Deal for the Administration

Malacañang earlier shrugs off Facebook’s decision to remove some pro-Duterte pages for violating its policies. There are other platforms that supporters can use to show their appreciation for the administration. Presidential Spokesperson and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo made the statement before and its stand so far does not change.

A Democratic Government

The reaction of President Du30’s speaker is very democratic. “Facebook must have its own rules and regulations. If they are implementing them, that is their own rule,” Panelo said.

Social Media Dominance

It is known that Maria Ressa meets with Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg to complain about the subject. As a result, the opposition gets the advantage from the platform from then on. This prompted the affected ones to innovate systems where they can express their sentiments democracy-wise. As talented as Filipinos can be, it’s only a matter of time that Facebook’s dominance in the Philippines becomes vulnerable.