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Hotmanila takes a closer look at China’s new islands in the South China West Philippine Sea

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Thinking of the beaches, my hubby Alan was inspired to write something on the newest islands this side of the Pacific.

Here’s his take on the issue –

 

What is China up to in the West Philippine Sea?

Hot Manila – By Alan Robles

Posted at 05/11/2015 1:27 PM at ABS-CBNNews.com

China has been busily engaged in mysterious activities in the West Philippine Sea, aka South China
Sea. Dredging and filling, it’s apparently turning slivers of coral barely protruding above the water into full-fledged large islands

What could all this island bodybuilding and buffing be for? It can’t possibly be to build military bases bristling with guns, missiles, planes, and hostile-type installations intended to harass air and maritime traffic – right? After all, China itself assures its intentions are purely peaceful and it, OF COURSE, is not encroaching on other countries’ territories and stealing islands. It’s probably prepared to swear this on the sainted relics of Mao, assuming it can locate them.

Given Beijing’s denials, we’re left to speculate just what it is China is up to. Here is a list of reasonable explanations, drawn up by the best experts and analysts coffee and deadlines could fabricate at short notice.

To read the rest, please click on this link.

 

Comments

  1. On October 8, 2014 the Hacienda Binay was exposed in the senate hearing. On a single day on October 14, 2014 more than P600 million was transferred to bank accounts of Binay’s dummies. Since 2008 ELEVEN BILLION PESOS had been recorded in Jojo’s, Junjun’s and dummies’ bank accounts.

    “More than P600 million in cash was deposited in the bank accounts of alleged dummies of Vice President Jejomar Binay in various transactions in a single day, according to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) report to the Court of Appeals (CA).

    “In the AMLC report, the amounts of P315,467,269.59, P221,436,720, P44,954,005.43 and P49,075,903.14 in cash were deposited in the various accounts of Gerardo Limlingan, Mario Oreta and Bernadette Cezar Portollano on Oct. 14, 2014.”

    “The AMLC report, which became the basis of the CA freeze order, also indicated that a total of P11 billion had been recorded in the accounts of Binay, his alleged dummies and his son Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr. since 2008.”

    Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/691213/amlc-binay-allies-deposits-reach-p11b#ixzz3a3y1L8Ta

    • Rene,

      As a side note to your comment based on Inquirer.net’s report with today’s dateline, what is coming out, to my mind, is that the Game of Chicken provoked by Certeza is a game tilted in favor of PDI. Certeza’s threat is not being heeded. In fact, as fast as data details are gathered, these are published by PDI with even more vigor (reminds one of Erap’s war with Inquirer). This comes from the fact that one does not play such game with the PDI likes of

      – Ms. Alexandra Prieto-Romualdez, President
      – Atty. Raul C. Pangalangan, Publisher
      – Ms. Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc, Editor-in-Chief

      veterans, all, in their respective fields. Add to that Senators Drilon and Escudero’s opinion, in effect favoring PDI. In this Game of Chicken, Binay-Certeza will be the Chicken. I don’t play poker, but it seems the latter will fold. AY MALI NA NAMAN!

      • In poker the player quits early to save his money. In chess the player quits early to save his energy. But it seems that Binay plays both games and dreams an impossible win. Binay plays poker “all in,” hoping that he could bluff his way in. He also plays chess to the end hoping a blunder from the opponent.

        Binay plays poker with a losing card but does not quit early to save money because it’s not his money anyway. it’s OUR money that he paid his lawyers, bribed justices and judges, invested on media, used to silence his enemies and spent for gullible voters and greedy politicians.

        Binay plays a desperate chess game because winning it is his only chance to survive politically and literally. With the aide of OUR money and a hell of a prayer, Binay plods inch by inch to grab the presidency and avoid the road to perdition. But the SBRSC and the CPM got on his way. Before, Binay was singing “IMPOSSIBKE DREAM,” Binay is now singing “MY WAY.”

        • Agree. I just want to add to your

          Binay plays a desperate chess game because winning it is his only chance to survive politically and literally.

          … winning not only to survive politically but to save himself, Binay Jr, and Elenita from jail for plunder — unless of course he and family high-tails it to a country with which we do not have extradition treaty, at a point when all is virtually lost. Poor guy; I would not want to have his situation placed on my enemy.

        • @Rene-Ipil

          And we Filipinos know, especially the videoke buffs, when someone sings “My Way” blood is spilled and fatal. A fatal end.

  2. Saan nga ba humuhugot ng kapal ng mukha at kawalang ng takot at hiya ang mga Binay? Sa aking pagtatanto, ito ay dahil alam nila na hanggat may mga bobotanteng magpapaloko o di kaya ay tatanaw ng malaking utang na loob sa kakarampot na balato mula sa malawakang pagnanakaw na ginagawa nila, walang magagawa ang sinumang nasa matinong kaisipan upang mapigilan ang pagkakaluklok nila sa Malacanan sa 2016. Habang patuloy na ang nakararami sa pumipili ng mamumuno sa ating bansa ay ang mga bobotante, patuloy na mamamayagpag ang mga kawatan, abusado at walang alam sa ating pamahalaan.

    Kailangan ng ating bayan ng isang malawakang pagbabagong-loob. Malaki ang maitutulong ng negosyo – huwag mag-advertise sa mga TV shows at dyaryo na nagpapalawig ng kabobohan sa mga madaling mapaniwala. Dapat ding tumulong ang simbahan – pumanig sa tama at tuwid, huwag sa politikong makapagpapagawa ng simbahan o makapagbibigay ng sasakyan. Aanhin ang magara at marangyang simbahan kung lugmok sa korapsyon at kahirapan ang mga nananampalataya?

    At higit sa lahat, ikaw at ako ay malaki ang maiaambag. Sabihin mo sa sampung kakilala mo na huwag maging bobotante, at gawin din iyon sa sampu pa nilang kakilala. Baka sakali sa sampu-sampu, maitakwil na natin ang madilim na sumpa ng mga bobotante sa ating bayan.

    • Maganda yang panukala mo. Maaring sa pamamagitan ng iyong iminumungkahi na kausapin at talakayin ang isyu ng mga Binay sa sampung karaniwang mamamayan at ganoon din sila sa kanilang mga kakilala at kaibigan (tipong Amway pero hindi para magkapera) nang lumaganap ang liwanag ay maitama ang kaisipan para sa 2016 eleksyon.

    • Talagang kailangang maabot o abutin ang kung tawagin ng Santo Papa ay “periphery” (iwasan o iwaksi na natin ang ating ugaling magpagbansag ng masama lalo na sa mga taong dahil sa kahirapan ay hindi kayang mag-aral, walang pagkakataong magbasa o mag-internet kaya, simple lang ang pananaw sa buhay) dahil sa bandang huli sila ang magiging dahilan kung saka-sakali na maging presidente sa 2016 si Binay sa kabila ng katotohanang inilabas at tinalakay dito sa blog ni Mam Raissa ng CPMers. Paano tatalakayin at makuha ang kanilang tunay na pang-unawa na maling pahalagahan yong mga tulong daw, regalo sa mga “senior”, atbp kung kapalit naman ay parang pagiging bulag at bingi sa mga balita at ebidensya ng pagnanakaw, pag- abuso sa kanilang puwesto at iyong pag-iral at paggamit ng “political dynasty” na tunay na pangsarili o makasarili ng mga Binay.

      • Hindi maaaring di tahasang magamit ang katagang bobotante upang sinuhin ang mga taong pumipili ng mga kandidatong iboboto ayon lamang sa suhol, sa kasikatan, o sa utos ng mga awtoridad, espiritwal man o politikal. Ito ay sa dahilang ang pagiging bobotante ay hindi namimili ng katayuan sa buhay, pananampalataya o ng pinagaralan. Kung gaanong may mga bobotante sa hanay ng mga hikahos, ay gayun din na may mga bobotante sa hanay ng mga nakapagaral at may kaya sa buhay. Sa social media lamang ay marami kang makikitang mga nagkokomento na ipinagtatangol pa ang kabaluktutang nagaganap at pinaparatangan ang mga di sang-ayon sa pamamalakad sa Makati na naiinggit lamang sa mga benepisyong pinakikinabangan nila. Sila ang mga taong ang pananaw ay abot lamang sa kanilang pamilya o maliit na komunidad, na dahil sila ay tahasang nakikinabang ay ipipikit ang mga mata at tatakpan ang tainga sa malawakang pagnanakaw at pagabuso sa kapangyarihan. Hindi makatarungan na ihanay ang mga tinatawag ng Santo Papa na nasa “periphery” sa mga bobotante, dahil hindi dahilan ang kawalan ng edukasyon at pagkasalat sa buhay upang ipagbili ang boto o di isaalang-alang ang kapakanan ng mas nakararami.

        • Pero kailangan bang tawaging bobo ang isang taong nalalabuan ng isip o hindi nakaka-unawa o naliligaw ng landas? Sa pakikipag-usap at sa pagpapaliwanag sa taong gusto mong maka-unawa o makumbinse sa tingin mo makukumbinse yong tao kung sa simula tinawag mo siyang bobo? Kailangan bang gumamit ng bansag? Nakakatulong ba iyon?

        • Ang salitang bobotante ay hango sa mga salitang “bobo” at “botante”, at iba ang kahulugan kung ikukumpara sa salitang “bobo” lamang. Gaya ng aking nasabi na, mayroong mga di nakapag-aral ngunit masusi pa ring pinag-aaralan kung sino dapat ang kanilang iboto, at mayroon din namang may pinag-aralan nga ngunit pinili pa ring magmaang-maangan sa kung ano ang tama o mali. Ngunit ang katagang ito ay ginagamit lamang upang isalarawan ang isang sektor ng lupunan. Syempre, hindi naman natin sasabihin na “hoy, ikaw ay isang bobotante, kaya makinig ka sa aking sasabihin.” Nauunawaan ko kung hindi ka komportable sa salitang bobotante, ngunit lalong hindi ako komportable na ihanay ang mga taong ito kasama ng mga taong maralita man ay nananatiling marangal at may malasakit sa bayan.

        • imo, hindi sila dapat tawaging bobotante.
          dahil pati kuko nila ay may utak.
          sila yung mga oportunista.
          mga street smart.
          mga tamad at ayaw magbanat ng buto. pero organisado.
          sila yung mga tunay na magugulang o tuso.
          yung mga nabubuhay sa dugo at pawis ng iba.
          at iluluklok nila yung magbabahagi sa kanila kahit pa ilegal ang pinagkukunan.

  3. Roxas-Poe it is!

    Morales has not received yet the panel’s recommendation but Binay’s and dummies’ assets are frozen! Morales is a good poker player and a master of diversion!

    My unreliable source is really unreliable again! He told me that there is something big that is going to explode in March, but because of Mamasapano and BBL that something big was move to May!
    AMLC did it!

    Aquino did not initiate it but LP. Drilon, Abad, and Cesar Purisima made sure that Binay is toast so that Roxas will have his Lazarus moment! Aquino’s hands were tied but were not able to stop the investigation of Binay’s ill-gotten wealth.

    The Samar faction of Ochoa, Coloma and Belmonte was not able to derail the issuance of AMLC report. Balay faction won!

    Now that Aquino realized that Binay is indeed a dead meat, he asked for a meeting with Poe to offer her support but no specific position. Then Roxas joined them at the later part of the meeting to telegraph to Poe that she is being offered the VP position. Poe did not bite the gambit yet and also made her options open and asked Aquino if he will support her, meaning the machinery of the incumbent. Aquino replied in the positive as long as she continues the Daang Matuwid while also looking at Roxas. Poe got the message but since there are no specifics she left with an open offer.

    Aquino is also hedging and tormenting Roxas but as of now Aquino realized that his options are limited and he definitely needs to support Roxas all the way since he realized that the Balay Faction of LP has now the upperhand and in the attack mode and even if Aquino tries to ever anoint Poe he will be faced with insurrection for LP is already determined to field Roxas and fight to the finish. Aquino knows how wily the LP Balay Faction is and has the goods to also indict him after his term if Aquino again betrays Roxas.

    With Binay’s campaign funds frozen and the dirt and unrecoverable loss of the string of indictment coming their way, from Elenita’s Hospital Overpriced Scandal, Junjun’s Overpriced Parking Building, and Jojo’s string of corruption from Overpriced Parking Building, Univ. of Makati, Boys Scouts property sold to Ongpin, and Batangas Hacienda, there is no way that Binay can recover. One of the signs is that the over opportunistic ally of Binay, Chiz Escudero, already distanced himself from Jojo. Erap distanced earlier in guise of supporting Poe. Other Binay supporters are already trying some backdoor deals with LP and now offering their support to Roxas in the condition that they will be spared with corruption investigations and their political survival. Fraternity brothers are now tapped to open the communications for possible defections.

    So there you go, Roxas-Poe is administration tandem which Aquino is going to announce this coming June!

    Parekoy
    05-14-2015

    • If ever @Parekoy …Roxas and Poe as our candidate ..Will vote for them but our prediction’s in the Barangay’s Binay and Poe will win….It’s late for Binay to go to jail and granting BINAY will run as i said HE will easily defeat Roxas…but we will go with Roxas …. Voter’s in the Barrio’s will still go to Binay..IMHO with small statistic’s on our hand he he…

      • Why are we not going to choice a HIGHER PERCENTAGE winning candidate like POE and have Roxas as her VP? plunder case will not stop Binay from defeating Roxas in case… Let us wait again for another survey an honest survey and we will see Roxas will still land on the lower bracket if HE is for P.

      • There is still that problem – the PICOS MACHINES! These machines votes for somebody else, could be for VP Binay?

        <No precints-counting by PICOS MACHINES on May 2016!

      • Victin, I agree that Roxas cannot win the presidency against Binay or Poe, if ever the latter persons run as president.

        I think that Binay and Poe will not run as president. And Poe will not also run as Vice President because of her heavy political baggage. To me the ideal tandem for 2016 is Duterte-Roxas. Duterte for 2016 and Roxas for 2022.

        • If you are fooled by Duterte then your credibility as a Political blogger is greatly affected, but younstill have time to learn real politics. It seems you are easily convinced by posturings, cooked surveys, and perception that Duterte could bring peace and order. Unfortunately, Duterte is not a presidential material. Mabibigo si Digong dahil kung sa NPA eh nagbabayad sya eh yung LP eh mas matindi pa yan sa NPA, MILF, at MNLF combined!

          Pag-aralan mo pang mas malalim ang tunay na dynamics ng pulitika sa bansa dahil it shows na kulang-na-kulang ang alam mo sa usaping ito.

    • Parekoy, you stitched that rather well; all bases covered. Sa Hunyo pramis, ha?

  4. TRIVIA: (Following is not topic related but others are doing it anyway, so please allow me to do my share of rule-breaking)

    News headline from PDI: CA order covers 242 accounts of VP, kin, pal

    http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/690936/court-freezes-binay-assets

    Dateline: Wednesday, May 13th, 2015

    Does one remember VP Binay’s favorite number “13” (looks like his initial “B” cut into two vertically), representing his percentage kickback from the overpriced Makati City Hall buildings?

    It’s very surprising that the CA freeze order came out on a reverent date (May 13th) which is the Catholic Feast of Our Lady of Fatima.

    Why Our Lady loves the number 13

    http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2015/05/13/why-our-lady-loves-the-number-13/

    Just my opinion: To some, the freeze order may be construed as a punishment to a reverend-named person (JEsusJOsephMAR BINAY) doing “un-reverend” things (making a mockery of a nation’s social justice).

    • yong fish, mukhang si nancy, glassy ang mata, bukang bibig. yong paper na nakabalot, bank statement ba yan?

    • Favorite din pala ni Binay ang “The Godfather.”

      The fish wrapped in a newspaper was sent by Sollozo to Sonny Corleone after his father, Vito Vorleone, was gunned down and Vito’s trigger/hatchet man, Luca Brassi, was killed. The fish meant that Luca was already in the bottom of the sea, and Sonny had to compromise with Sollozo on drug deals. But Michael Corleone – the college boy – got into the picture and killed Sollozo.

  6. TRIVIA

    I don’t know how Rappler gets its Mode Meter data but as a trivia, here is Rappler on its news re “Court freezes Binay assets over ‘unlawful’ acts” (numbers are percentages):

    Happy —— 76
    Don’t Care — 6
    Inspired —– 6
    Sad ———- 4
    Angry ——– 4
    Amused —- 4
    Afraid ——- 0
    Annoyed — 0

    I presume it is social media response.

    • Rappler — Binay ‘dummies’ closing accounts since Senate probe (2:36 PM, May 13, 2015)

      http://www.rappler.com/nation/9305-court-appeals-freezes-binay-bank-accounts

      The report details the account holders and the number of accounts.

      I totaled all the accounts with the name of Gerardo S. Limlingan Jr and Eduviges D. Baloloy either single accounts under their respective names or jointly with each other or with other people — giving a total of 171 ACCOUNTS OUT OF A TOTAL OF 242 ACCOUNTS held by Binay and cohorts. And these are the two people, among others, who cannot be served Senates subpoena by the Pimentel Blue Ribbon Subcommitte in the different addresses previously known to be their addresses.

      What in heaven’s name does this tells us? I am overwhelmed.

      • nherrera, this tells me that limlingan can be traced through his bank accounts. and if tracing will continue on and fine tuned to the smallest detail, limlingan will eventually be found. he can’t be living on air. he needs money to survive, assumed name, an alias, a new face courtesy of cosmetic surgery and maybe residing in a villa somewhere. he may live through his ‘money mule’ the one trusted and whose identity he purloined, but he’ll get caught. his world is getting smaller.

        • Yes, I myself have a feeling that with all that is coming out, in an avalanche against Binay, that Limlingan will be found soon. Unless, if he has the same height as Binay, and Binay ordered him to have plastic surgery to look like his double, complete with his color. (Hahaha.)

      • Heard on tv announcer said that the camp of binay will file motion to lift freeze order of accounts of other named accounts but not of the binays due to only 5 accounts belongs to the binays so said by certeza quoted by the announcer.
        That floored me!
        Pakialam nyo sa account ng iba unless pag aari nyo rin yon dummy lang ang mga names like that of ollariza who admitted on tv that he has no knowledge of the said account; that he was asked to sign papers re OMNI and others he probably wasn’t able to read or take a peek by gerry limlingan.

        • Same here. I reacted like that and told the wife. Binay and his lawyers seem to have gone off their rockers. Kaawa-awa talaga sila, bugbog na bugbog, hindi na maka isip ng mahusay.

      • Tulad ng maraming abugado ay mahina itong si Certeza sa math. Sabi ni Certeza ay lima (5) lang daw ang bank accounts ni VP Binay. Ayon sa CA freeze order ay 19 lahat ang mga bank accounts ni Jejomar C. Binay:

        BDO – 4
        LBP – 2
        Metrobank – 1
        Security Bank – 4
        BPI – 5
        PNB – 2
        RCBC – 1

        • Correction: You and other lawyers here in CPM are good in math, I observe. Only Binay’s lawyers are not. They should hire lawyers from CPM but it will cost them — they can afford though; marami pang laman ang baol.

        • Rene,

          Just a supplementary note to the bank accounts attributable to Jejomar C. Binay, Jejomar Erwin S. Binay Jr, Elenita Binay (with two accounts jointly with Gerardo S. Limlingan Jr), we have the following, leaving out the Bank names. The total is 27.

          Jejomar C. Binay 2
          Gerardo S. Limlingan Jr, Jejomar C. Binay 2
          Jejomar Erwin S. Binay Jr 1
          Jejomar C. Binay 2
          Jejomar C. Binay 1
          Jejomar Erwin S. Binay Jr 2
          Jejomar C. Binay 4
          Jejomar Erwin S. Binay Jr 2
          Elenita Binay, Jejomar C. Binay 5
          Jejomar C. Binay 2
          Jejomar Erwin S. Binay Jr 1
          Jejomar Erwin S. Binay Jr 2
          Jejomar C. Binay 1

          TOTAL BANK ACCOUNTS IN VARIOUS BANKS = 27

          The above came from

          http://www.rappler.com/nation/93052-court-appeals-freezes-binay-bank-accounts

  7. I posted the letter of Certeza warning PDI from publishing the freeze order. But it has been under moderation since this afternoon.

    • Certeza warned PDI yesterday. Maybe that was the reason why PDI reported the CA freeze order today while GMA News reported it at 7:30 last night.

    • waray waray,

      There are two kinds of threats

      – credible threat
      – non-credible or incredible threat

      A credible threat is normally one in which there is a punishment, sanction or retributive action one can inflict effectively if the object of the threat does not comply.

      Certeza does not have an effective sanction — “laway” lang as has been the practice of this bunch of spokespersons. Tuwa lang ng PDI if a libel suit is filed against them. Lalong lalala ang sunog. Certeza is clueless as when he answered questions of Justice Leonen before the SC. What a useless bunch.

  8. Malalim ang pinag ugatan ng ginagawa ng tsaynah. Marahil, makakatulong sa mga nagbabasa ito:

    What’s Really Going With The RV and WHY

    Date: Fri, Oct 17, 2014 at 12:13 PM
    A new Historical Bond Tax Treaty went into effect at 12:01 AM EST Friday in the USA. This was the last piece of the international law and compliance puzzle because it restored the dignity of the Chinese people, as well as settled their past due international gold commitments.

    – The treaty was altered to include Euros and Pound Sterlings along with the new USA TRN/ USN.

    – The Admiral received his release authorization sometime before sunrise Friday in the USA. There is a methodical process now in place to disburse reevaluated funds, known only to the Admiral and the Elders. Expect them to be very methodical and calculated in their funding payouts, as not to place unnecessary stress on the new algorithms designed to regulate/monitor the global money supply.

    – The X-Stream software platform (Nasdaq) has been tested and is operational to prevent high frequency trading from egregiously taking advantage and/or crashing the new system.

    – The global gold signatory physically was in Zurich andLondon for vault SKR sign offs.

    – All universal administrative holds were lifted (we cannot emphasize strongly enough how significant this single event is for the world’s long-term prosperity), when two generals from China witnessed a Treasury Department Head Representative, along with the Admiral and a Chinese Elder Banking Representative, perform release protocols that ended the universal administrative hold via Elder SKR gold approval. Together, they literally threw the switch launching the new parallel banking system that was decades in the making.

    – The birth of the Global Currency Revaluation officially began at 12:01 PM CST Thursday 10.16.14 (12:01 AM EST Friday 10.17.14 in the USA). The Chinese have long said this would be a day time event … and it was.

    – This same day time event was originally scheduled for Wednesday, 10.1.14–but the delay of two weeks was exchanged for additional removals of US military bases and weapon systems in Europe and Asia. You see, whenever there was a delay in pre-agreed GCR implementation protocol, the planet was intentionally made more peaceful and/or healthier.

    – Look for weekend disbursal movement across the board, as well as an innocuous TRN announcement before Asian markets open Monday 8 AM CST (Sunday 8 PM EST in theUSA).

    In effect, marami “pera” ang tsaynah in terms of assets. How to liquify those assets and book a big debit entry is one big problem. One way to create liquidity is to create wars that justifies expenditures. Another way to create a debit entry is the creation of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The Philippines has more than enough assets against these “assets” of tsaynah and these are the assets that will be used for nation building when simyon is already out of office. Fortunately, the Philippines has unlocked a big portion of such assets – courtesy of Mr. Marcos who is just a custodian thereof.

  9. Sa palagay ko ay malapit na tayong mamahinga, kungdi man dapat ay tigilan na natin si Binay. Ngunit maging mapagmasid pa rin tayo sa mga nagaganap sa ating paligid. Kahit pa sa ngayon ay kampihan nating lahat si Binay ay hindi natin kaya na buwagin ang kaso na binuo ng OMB at AMLC laban kay Binay.

    Ang OMB ay si Morales at ang AMLC ay sina Cesar Purisima at Tetangco. Ang reputasyon at tibay ng mga taong ito ay walang puedeng bumuwag kahit pa si PNoy. Kaya tapos na ang maliligayang araw ni Binay.

    Sa ngayon na tuyo na ang balon na pinanggagalingan ng kabuhayan na ipinamumudmod ni Binay ay bigla-bigla siyang iiwanan ng kanyang mga kaalyado. Una sa mga ito ay si Escudero na binalaan si Binay na huwag magtago sa ilalim ng “Bank Secrecy Law” at “AMLC confidentiality.” Si Escudero ay matalik na kaibigan ni Ongpin na “partner in crime” ni Binay.

    Ang dapat na pagtuunan ng malalim at malawak na pansin ay ang karapatdapat na susunod na pangulo na magpapatuloy ng sinimulan ni PNoy. At higit sa lahat ay ang pagpapalago ng ekonomya at pagpapalakas ng kakayahan na ipagtanggol ang ating bansa laban sa mapang-api at mananakop tulad ng Tsina.

    • pwede [email protected],

      maaari ngang malapit na tayong mamahinga.

      marubdob ang hangarin ng lahat na papanagutin sila sa batas.
      at ito’y ating ipauubaya muli sa mga taong may tibay at paninindigan.
      subali’t dapat na magpatuloy ang ating vigilance.

      phl history keeps repeating.

      hindi dapat malimutan ng lahat na ang pamilya ni makoy ay kinamuhian at napatalsik.
      pero ngayon ay nangakabalik na at nangakapwesto pa.

      paulit-ulit na mayuyurakan ang mga pinoy ng mga mapagsamantala.
      lilipas ang ngitngit sa kasalukuyang pamilya.
      at muling makakabalik sa pedestal.

      sapagkat ganyan ang ating lahi.

      maawain at mapagpatawad…

      • vander, maawain at mapagpatawad tayo, but only up to a point. we are also tolerant, but only up to a point.

        it would be good if bong marcos runs for president in 2016. so he can see for himself how well loved, or hated, he truly is once and for all.

      • Vander : Tell everyone, there is no rest for the nacion but most especially for the WICKED !!!

    • Rene-Ipil and vander,

      You have complementary thoughts and I am glad of the thoughts that I have consolidated into a whole in my mind. You guys made my day.

  10. Mythical “charge of the light brigade”

    1. Two Japanese destroyers and one of the Philippines’ newest warships began historic naval exercises in the flashpoint South China Sea on Tuesday, showcasing a deepening alliance aimed at countering a rising china.

    The day-long war games, the first bilateral naval exercises between the former World War II enemies, took place less than 300 kms from a Philippine-claimed shoal now under chinese control (Yahoo News May 12/15)

    2. PHL to build naval base near Spratlys

    The military’s top priority is to build a naval base on the country’s western coastline, opposite the disputed Spratly islands, although plans have been delayed by funding bottlenecks, Armed Forces Chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang, jr said yesterday.

    Catapang said US, Japanese and Vietnamese naval vessels would be allowed to make port calls once the facility in Oyster Bay in Palawan was finished (Yahoo News 5/13/15)

    3. Pentagon mulls sending planes, ships near disputed South China Sea islands

    The Pentagon is considering sending U.S. military aircraft and ships to assert freedom of navigation around chinese-made artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea, a U.S. said on Tuesday.

    U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter requested options that include sending U.S. military ships and aircraft within 12 nautical miles of reefs that china has been building up in the disputed Spratly Islands, the official said.

    Such a move would directly challenge chinese efforts to expand its influence in the disputed region by literally adding territory through island-building exercise.(GMA New 5/13/15)

    We can now heave a sigh of relief that two major powers are finally showing concern about the provocation and muscle-flexing of the chinese bullies in the disputed islands.

  11. PPRC — THE SONG AND DANCE ROUTINE

    (PPRC for Pnoy Poe Roxas Coalition)

    I find uncanny the song and dance routine lately played out in the news amidst the background of Binay’s looming political demise. PPR are all saying the politically correct (seems to me well-scripted) statements. Mga guni-guni ko lang po.

    Interesting that there is even a sideshow concerning PK’s arrival, that I can’t help note. From Rappler:
    ————————————————————-
    MANILA, Philippines – Who will be one of the first people Manny Pacquiao will see when he arrives in the Philippines? President Benigno Aquino III.

    Pacquiao, who is scheduled to arrive on Wednesday, May 12, is set to visit Malacañang on the same day at 3 pm according to the President’s schedule.
    ————————————————————-

    Naah. That is not part of the Song and Dance Script.

  13. sharing this letter to the Inquirer re story on frozen assets

    http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/690936/court-freezes-binay-assets

    Warning letter from Binay camp

    Attention:

    Ms. Alexandra Prieto-Romualdez

    President

    Atty. Raul C. Pangalangan

    Publisher

    Ms. Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc

    Editor-in-Chief

    Ms. Nancy Carvajal

    Reporter

    Subject:

    Breach of Confidentiality under the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001, as amended

    Gentlemen:

    It has come to our attention that you will publish a story on the supposed Order purportedly issued by the Court of Appeals upon the petition filed by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) freezing the bank accounts of our client, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, and other individuals allegedly connected to the latter.

    Please note that under the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001, as amended, the duty of confidentiality as contemplated under Section 9 thereof applies also to the media. In this regard, Section 14 (d) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001 (as amended by Republic Act No. 9194) expressly provides “that in the case of a breach of confidentiality that is published or reported by media, the responsible reporter, writer, president, publisher, manager and editor-in-chief shall also be criminally liable under the Act.” Moreover, Section 49, Title VII of the Rules of Procedure in Cases of Civil Forfeiture, Asset Preservation, and Freezing of Monetary Instrument, Property or Proceeds Representing, Involving, or Relating to an Unlawful Activity or Money Laundering Offense under Republic Act No. 9160, as amended, also provides that “[n]o person including Court personnel shall disclose or divulge or communicate to anyone directly or indirectly in any manner or by any means the fact of the filing of the petition for freeze order, its contents and its entry in the logbook except those authorized by the Court.”

    In the light of the above, we wish to state for the record that we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law any party who will otherwise publish a report and/or comment on the report of the AMLC and the Order of the Court of Appeals which was issued in relation thereto.

    Please be guided accordingly.

    For the Firm:
    Claro F. Certeza

    Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/690974/warning-letter-from-binay-camp#ixzz3ZzVaHzNf

    • Inquirer.net — Media not liable for publishing freeze order on Binay assets—Drilon

      http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/691141/media-not-liable-for-publishing-freeze-order-on-binay-assets-drilon

      The link gives the views of Sen Drilon and Sen Escudero concerning the publication of the freeze order of the Court of Appeals on Vice President Jejomar Binay’s bank accounts contrary to the views contained in the warning of Binay’s lawyer, Certeza, to PDI.

      Binay through Certeza is making a mistake to pursue this considering these legal opinions — it is not a one-way street as Certeza wants to make PDI and the people believe. This is the classic Game of Chicken. To pursue this will result in a loss to Binay:

      – Waging war on freedom of the press with a non-clear-cut legal support invites more criticisms against Binay
      – People’s curiousity will be stimulated more with such Binay move at this time when he is already down from other crticisms and the Pimentel BR Subcom investigation still on-going
      – In effect it is a negative Election 2016 campaign against Binay himself (pinupukpok ang sariling ulo)
      – Binay has also chosen to wage battle with AMLC (battle at too many fronts)
      – Wasting time spent well on other concerns

      Who will blink first in this Game of Chicken?

    • no person including Court personnel shall disclose or divulge or communicate to anyone directly or indirectly in any manner or by any means the fact of the filing of the petition for freeze order, its contents and its entry in the logbook except those authorized by the Court.

      The intent of the provision is to prevent anybody in divulging the freeze order that is going to be filed by AMLC so that the suspects will not be able to withdraw or sell their deposits/investments/assets if tipped in advance. In this case the freez order was already trasmitted and the order is in effect and therefore even PDI or other media entity reports the freeze order the suspects can’t do anything to counter the effect and intent of freezing the bank accounts and investments.

      Certeza is just doing his job to protect his client Binay, even if he appears as a moronic lawyer who can’t comprehend a simple sentence.

  14. COUNTRIES CLAIMING OWNERSHIP AND OCCUPYING THE SPRATLY ISLANDS
    .

    I. All Occupied Features in the Spratly Islands:
    .

    PHILIPPINES: Commodore Reef, Flat Island, Irving Reef, Loaita Island, Lankiam Cay,
    Nanshan Island, Northeast Cay, Second Thomas Reef, Thiru Island, West York Island.

    CHINA: Cuarteron Reef, Fiery Cross Reef, Gaven Reef, Hughes Reef, Johnson South Reef, Mischief Reef, Subi Reef, Whitson Reef.

    TAIWAN: Ban Than Reef, Itu Aba Island.

    MALAYSIA: Ardasier Reef, Dallas Reef, Erica Reef, Investigator Shoal, Louisa Reef, Mariveles Reef, Swallow Reef.

    VIETNAM: Alison Reef, Amboyna Cay, Barque Canada Reef, Central London Reef, Collins Reef, Comwallis South Reef, East London Reef, Grainger Bank, Great Discovery Reef, Grierson Reef, Ladd Reef, Lansdowne Reef, Namyit Island, Pearson Reef, Petley Reef, Prince Consort Bank, Prince of Wales Bank, Rifleman Bank, Sand Cay, Sin Cowe Island, South Reef, Southwest Cay, Spratly Island, Tennent Reef, Vanguard Bank, West
    London Reef.
    .

    II. Occupied Features in the Spratly Islands Above Water at High Tide
    .

    PHILIPPINES: Commodore Reef *, Flat Island, Lankiam Cay, Loaita Island, Nahshan Island, Northeast Cay, Thitu Island, West York Island.

    CHINA: Cuarteron Reef *, Fiery Cross Reef*, Gaven Reef*#, Johnson South Reef*#, Whitson Reef*#.

    TAIWAN: Itu Aba Island.

    MALAYSIA: Erico Reef *#, Louisa Reef * , Mariveles Reef *, Swallow Reef *#.

    VIETNAM: Amboyna Cay, Barque Canada Reef *, Central London Reef *#, Collins Reef *, Discovery Great Reef *, East London Reef *, Namyit Island, Pearson Reef *, Petley Reef *#, Sand Cay, Sin Cowe Island, Southwest Cay, Spratly Island, Tennent Reef *, West London Reef *.

    * – only small rocks above water
    # – disputed
    .

    Source: U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, ONE HUNDRED TWELFTH CONGRESS

  15. MY THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

    “When you see a bullet headed towards you, it is not cowardly to duck.”

    (Dedicated to the Binay family and cohorts.)

    • you are only as strong as your weakest link. obviously nancy isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed:

      “nakakalungkot kasi imbes na ipagdasal nya (trillanes) yung mga kababayan natin na nangangailangan para mapabuti ‘yung buhay nila, i think pinagdadasal niya na ‘lord, please, huwag nang tumakbo si vice para may pag-asa ako.'”

      juice colored. these people should get over themselves. is binay’s run for the presidency the be-all and end-all of everything? agad-agad? di ba pwedeng pagod na kami sa kakanakaw ninyo sa kaban ng bayan?

      • filipino_mom,

        Alam ninyo, ang mga sagot na ginagamit ng Kampo Binay ay para bang mga bato na na hakot at nilatag sa malaking banig. Ang sabi — pagka may masamang balita sa atin pumili kayo dito at ibato sa kanila. Yun lang si Nancy na sinabi ninyo na “isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed” ay hindi marunong. Ang pinipili nya ay palaging pinaka-maliit at pinaka-pangit na bato para itapon. Kung sa bagay yung ibang nasa kampo ay hindi rin marunong pumili. At sa palagay ko may tama na ang mga balikat nila gaya ni PK, dahil sa pagamit ng kanang kamay sa pagtapon ng mga bato. Hindi malayo manganga-ilangan sila ng operasyon sa balikat.