Inside Philippine politics & beyond

Cambridge Analytica boss met with Peter Tiu Laviña and Pompee La Viña six months before Duterte run

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EXCLUSIVE by Raïssa Robles

Here’s the RESIBO [proof] that it could only be Rodrigo Duterte who used a British data analytics firm to help get elected President.

Cousins Peter and Pompee personally met Alexander Nix in May 2015, after he delivered a talk at the National Press Club on his company’s new way of running an election campaign.

A cropped shot of a Screengrab from Peter Tiu Laviña’s Facebook page

 

What do you think they discussed during that meal which did not even include beer as a drink but only ice tea?

And why would the cousins La Viña and Laviña motor all the way to the National Press Club in Manila (which is so out-of-the-way from Makati, Pasig and Bonifacio Global City) just to listen to a foreign guy jaw off about a new way of conducting an election campaign?

Six months after that meal, Duterte had tossed his mayor’s hat into the presidential ring and the cousins had become a central part of his campaign team: Pompee La Viña as the “social media director” and Peter Tiu Laviña as the campaign spokesman.

I know that rabid Duterte supporters have been castigating me for concluding it was Duterte whom the Strategic Communications Laboratories (SCL) website had alluded to as their Philippine client. Some have even suggested the mystery client was Mar Roxas. So just to cover all bases, I talked to sources in the Mar Roxas and the Grace Poe campaign.

This one is for you, DDS, in the hope that you will start asking some hard questions.

I gave this story to South China Morning Post (HK), for which I have been writing since 1996. 

Cambridge Analytica boss Alexander Nix dined with two of Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign advisers in 2015

Nix and his companies have come under fire for using data harvested from Facebook, which recently revealed that some 1.2 million Filipinos on Facebook were affected by the data breach

PUBLISHED : Sunday, 08 April, 2018, 9:00pm

BY RAISSA ROBLES

When Alexander Nix, the recently suspended boss of Cambridge Analytica, went to Manila in May 2015, he did more than deliver a talk on his new method of managing elections.

Nix dined with Jose Gabriel “Pompee” La Viña and Peter Tiu Laviña, cousins who later played key roles in Rodrigo Duterte’s presidential campaign, notable for its use of social media. At the time, Nix identified himself as a board director of Cambridge Analytica’s parent company, Strategic Communications Laboratories (SCL).

Peter snapped photographs of Nix’s talk at the National Press Club (NPC) in Manila and his meal at the club’s dining room, and posted them on his Facebook page. Also present on that occasion were NPC president Joel Sy Egco – now Undersecretary at the Presidential Communications Operations Office or PCOO – and Taipan Millan, a lawyer and family friend of Duterte.

Six months after that meal with Nix, both cousins were among those who convinced Duterte to run for president. Duterte appointed “Pompee” La Viña as his social media director – a first in Philippine election history – and Peter Laviña as his campaign spokesman.

To read the rest, please click on this link.

Comments

    • Re submitted Replies to @kalahari –

      ——————–

      The world is in a brink of World War III.

      The US (pre DJ Trump, POTUS) and some of its allies invaded Syria. Russia was asked by Syria’s President Assad to help him thwart and eradicate the west’s sponsor & support of ISIS inside his sovereign nation.

      Russia alone has almost 100% succeeded in eradicating ISIS in Syria.

      December 2017, Russia started withdrawing its forces from Syria. And just two weeks ago, POTUS announced the US’ withdrawal from Syria too.

      But alas, then less than a week to today, an alleged chemical bomb attack on anti-Assad Syrians.

      It was wrong for POTUS again to believe, including the MSM lie, that it was Syria’s President Assad who ordered this and last year’s chemical attack on his people. This recent bombing raid in Syria by US and its allies courts retaliation from Russia if and when its forces are killed in this “one time shot.”*

      – www. dailystar.co.uk/news/world-news/695876/ww3-news-syria-war-russian-navy-uss-donald-cook-torpedo-attack

      POTUS DJ Trump found comfort in the swamp. Just like others before him, has he become one of them?

      ———

      *

      Big themes from Mattis Pentagon briefing:
      -> Currently a “one time shot” attack; double the firepower from 2017
      -> No US losses
      -> “Absolutely confident ” that Syrian regime used chemical weapons
      -> No Russian activity in response to tonight’s attacks

      — Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) April 14, 2018
      Reply

  2. ‘What do you think they discussed during that meal which did not even include beer as a drink but only ice tea?’

    The odds is SCL/Cambridge Analytica concluded
    a contract with Msrrs. Lim/La Vina. Problem is to
    find a copy of such contract and that a foreign
    entity engaged interference during the campaign
    period in violation of the Election Laws.

    Proofs there are [where?].

    • easy conversation over food: conspiratorial at maybe sabi ni nix, trust me, I can make anyone be elected president, what I cannot guarantee is how functional he would be, maybe he’d be the worst person for the job, the worst ever, but then that would be your problem, not mine, got it amigos? I can get you there, the rest is up to you, and my fee is . . .

      thinking perhaps of the 6yrs free access to the kaban ng bayan, all the riches to be had, the influence they would then held, the taumbayan none the wiser, misters na mga kausap ni nix over dinner give big thumps up, taking selfies of the moment to remember, fake glory awaits! kampai with tea!

      the contract, well, kapolisan just have to subpoena it, now that they have subpoena power.

      • I wont be surprised if kapolisan raid the homes of the magpinsan na sina pompee at peter. pero, best if the magpinsan surrender the contract before hand, rather than wait for kapolisan. the raid may net more than just the contract, baka may arsenal sila ng weapons of mass destruction, may state of the art drug lab mismo sa basement na bahay, he, he, he, at may hoard of rice pa!

        • the contract would leave a paper trail, follow the money and see where it leads.

          money exchanging hands, money paid to cambridge analytica, money from the magpinsan ? they would have to pay patigi-tigi to avoid scrutiny, money paid regularly as stipulated and going to the same bank account each time.

        • Who principally INVITED MR. NIX to
          come to ‘Pinas months before the
          immediate pres’l elections?

          COMELEC’s powers with more
          FANGS. It should be able to lookout
          for foreigners coming here before
          our time for political elections to
          discuss over a cup-of-tea strategies
          on election campaigns, etc. Photos
          and MEDIA reports should be a prima
          facie           proof for electioneering by
          such people for purposes of criminal
          investigation.

          In present USA they have already appointed
          Mr. MUELLER to do such investigation. Here,
          there is no special counsel doing such
          investigation. What we have is special
          SIOPAO          …get it at KOWLOON restaus.
          he he

        • leona, thought ko po joel egco of natl press club invited alexander nix to speak in may 2015, thus laying the foundation of the actual electioneering that was to come in 2016, a year in the planning.

          kung ano mang klaseng electioneering ang napagusapan nila in 2015 ay outside the scope yata ng comelec iyon. comelec kasi aarangkada lang the few months immediately prior to election, before that, walang ngipin yang comelec.

    • tsk tsk tsk

      The world is in a brink of World War III.

      The US (pre DJ Trump, POTUS) and some of its allies invaded Syria. Russia was asked by Syria’s President Assad to help him thwart and eradicate the west’s sponsor & support of ISIS inside his sovereign nation.

      Russia alone has almost 100% succeeded in eradicating ISIS in Syria.

      December 2017, Russia started withdrawing its forces from Syria. And just two weeks ago, POTUS announced the US’ withdrawal from Syria too.

      But alas, then less than a week to today, an alleged chemical bomb attack on anti-Assad Syrians.

      It was wrong for POTUS again to believe, including the MSM lie, that it was Syria’s President Assad who ordered this and last year’s chemical attack on his people. This recent bombing raid in Syria by US and its allies courts retaliation from Russia if and when its forces are killed in this “one time shot.”*

      – https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/world-news/695876/ww3-news-syria-war-russian-navy-uss-donald-cook-torpedo-attack

      POTUS DJ Trump found comfort in the swamp. Just like others before him, has he become one of them?

      ———

      *

      Big themes from Mattis Pentagon briefing:
      -> Currently a “one time shot” attack; double the firepower from 2017
      -> No US losses
      -> “Absolutely confident ” that Syrian regime used chemical weapons
      -> No Russian activity in response to tonight’s attacks

      — Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) April 14, 2018

    • Just imagine the alleged evidence on hand to deliver
      such coalition strike against Syria’s ASSAD
      but no UN investigation has been filed against
      him for crimes against genocide or humanity!

      The alleged evidence must be so strong enough
      for prosecution at the ICC court.

      No action on it so far. When?

      • Assad for ICC prosecution?

        No idea if this reply will be put into moderation. My reply to @kalahari was put into moderation. I’ll try it with you @leona.

        ——————

        The US (pre DJ Trump, POTUS) and some of its allies invaded Syria. Russia was asked by Syria’s President Assad to help him thwart and eradicate the west’s sponsor & support of ISIS inside his sovereign nation.

        Russia alone has almost 100% succeeded in eradicating ISIS in Syria.

        December 2017, Russia started withdrawing its forces from Syria. And just two weeks ago, POTUS announced the US’ withdrawal from Syria too.

        But alas, then less than a week to today, an alleged chemical bomb attack on anti-Assad Syrians.

        It was wrong for POTUS again to believe the deep state, including the MSM lie, that it was Syria’s President Assad who ordered this and last year’s chemical attack on his people. This recent bombing raid in Syria by US and its allies courts retaliation from Russia if and when its forces are killed in this “one time shot.”*

        ——————-

        Have you seen a melt down coming from a very strong supporter of POTUS?

        Here is one from Alex Jones (infowars). Rightly disappointed at POTUS DJ Trump.

        – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSUvBfW1KXQ

        Warning though. Vulgar language used.

        • Syria’s Assad is doing ECA = extrachemical attack!

          Why don’t the coalition forces bomb his official residence
          instead? I’m sure Assad has that FEAR.

          It’ll save coalition forces bringing him to ICC.

          Be Economical.

        • the coalition forces cannot bomb assad’s official residence with out irrefutable proof that assad indeed ordered the chemical attack. plus, indiscriminate bombing of assad’s residence may kill innocent victims like his domestic and clerical staff, and their dependent spouses and children.

          already, united nations chemical watchdog is in syria ascertaining the use of chemical weapons by syria.

          no need to pre-empt the findings po and bomb assad’s residence in the meantime, else that would be rushing to putin’s global chaos.

          mission accomplished may not be that accomplished after all. iran was flattened for the weapons of mass destruction that apparently did not exist, and isis was born.

          likewise, duterte tried to ‘economize’ the drug war, and netted thousands of dead suspects, 3months stretching to 2yrs with no end is sight. economizing and making short cuts netted duterte a case in ICC, he, he, he.

      • Syria is an authoritarian and repressive regime that resulted to an uprising in 2011 when President Bashar al-Assad began a brutal crackdown on growing peaceful protests throughout the country. The anti-government forces are aided by the western powers while President Assad, whose family ruled Syria since the 1973 coup, is openly supported by the Russians who have an air base in Hmeimin, Latakia, Syria, also called Khmeinen Air Base, and a sizeable naval forces in the Mediterranean Sea near Syria

        With the on-going brutal war and genocide in Syria, no UN Rapporteur has the guts to conduct preliminary examination on the human rights violation of the poor citizens thereto lest they become victims also

        They prefer to come to our country because of our vibrant democratic government where everyone can throw brickbats including kitchen sinks to anyone they dislike or a presumed political nemesis

        • Eyewitness Testimonies During Syria “Chemical Attack'” Explain How Video Was Staged

          Via SouthFront.org,

          On April 13, the Ministry of Defense of Russia released a video showing testimonies of two doctors who were on duty at a Duma hospital when the alleged chemical attack took place in the Syrian town on April 7.

          In the video, one of the two doctors “Kahlil al-Jaysh” said that the hospital received several civilians who had been injured in an airstrike of the Syrian Arab Air Force (SyAAF) on Duma in the morning of April 8. Dr. al-Jaysh said that the airstrike had hit the last floor of a building causing fire.

          This led to the suffocation of some civilians who were trapped in the lower floors of the building.

          While the doctors were treating the injured civilians, a man shouted in the hospital’s emergency room that the injures were caused by “a chemical attack,” which led to chaos, according to Dr. al-Jaysh.

          English subtitles. pic.twitter.com/lXafFybl1I
          — iad tawil (@iadtawil) April 13, 2018

          “While treating the people who were suffocated by smoke and dust, one of the people who was present said that the strike was a chemical attack, which led the people in the area [hospital] to deal with the cases as injuries caused by chemical weapons.” Dr. al-Jaysh said in the video released by the Ministry of Defense of Russia.

          Moreover, the two doctors stressed in the video that there had been no symptoms proving a chemical weapons use. Both doctors were also able to prove their presence in the emergency room of Duma hospital during the incident via a video published a Syrian opposition news outlet.

          Several experts suggested before that a carbon monoxide poisoning might be behind the deaths of the Duma attack victims. The Syrian Observatory from Human Rights (SOHR) even reported from day one that carbon monoxide poisoning had been behind the deaths of the civilians who were trapped in a basement from a long time after the airstrike.

          Syrian pro-government sources noted that both doctors could have left Duma district under the evacuation agreement between the Damascus government and Jaysh al-Islam but they opted to stay. This makes the testimonies of these two doctors more credible.

          Source: https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-04-14/eyewitness-testimonies-during-syria-chemical-attack-explain-how-video-was-staged

          —-

          Russia Has “Irrefutable Evidence” UK Staged Syrian Chemical Attack, https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-04-13/russia-has-irrefutable-evidence-uk-staged-syrian-chemical-attack

          Russia’s foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow had “irrefutable evidence” that the attack – which allegedly killed more than 40 people in an April 7 chemical weapons strike on the former rebel outpost of Douma -was staged with the help of a foreign secret service.

          “We have irrefutable evidence that this was another staged event, and that the secret services of a certain state that is now at the forefront of a Russophobic campaign was involved in this staged event,” he said during a press conference according to AFP.

          ———

          Independent Swiss Lab Says ‘BZ Toxin’ Used In Skripal Poisoning; US/UK-Produced, Not Russian, https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-04-14/independent-swiss-lab-says-bz-toxin-used-skripal-poisoning-usuk-produced-not

          Somebody has some explaining to do… or did the Syrian airstrikes just ‘distract’ the citizenry from the reality surrounding the Skripal poisoning.

          … according to the independent Swiss state Spiez lab, the substance used on Sergei Skripal was an agent called BZ, which was never produced in Russia, but was in service in the US, UK, and other NATO states.

          Alternative Mashable Online News Sources.

          – https://www.zerohedge.com/

          – http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/

          – https://newswars.com/

  4. A former SC justice said this morning that quo warranto proceedings can be undertaken to stop any government official, including impeachable officials such as Chief Justice on-leave Maria Lourdes Sereno, from further holding office

    In a press briefing, former AJ Antonio Eduardo Nachura said “a remedy such as quo warranto should be made available against everybody, even against impeachable officials.”

    “Quo warranto is a process that attacks the validity of the title of a person to a public office,” Nachura said when asked by the media if a quo warranto case may be used against impeachable officials

    “It can be used to question the right of a public officer to continue holding public office, if there is an irregularity to the title of public office,” the former magistrate explained.

    If a quo warranto case proves that the public official’s title would be proven invalid, Nachura said that it does not “remove” an impeachable official, saying that “it is as if there was no valid appointment in the first place.”

    He, however, refused to comment on the merits of the quo warranto case filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida against Sereno since he may pre-empt the SC’s decision

    http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/981909/ex-sc-justice-quo-warranto-a-remedy-to-stop-execs-from-holding-on-to-power

    • in short po, what is applicable to sereno can be applicable to the president, pwedeng ma-quo warranto si duterte. sweet!

      • Of course – especially from this blog site if they have the collective guts and substantial evidence to initiate quo warranto proceedings against PRRD such as but not limited to dengvaxia imbroglio, mamasapano massacre, illegal DAP misuse a.k.a. the president’s “pork barrel,”

        I’m fully aware that I’m a “lone ranger” here but still maintain that the President is worth defending and the SWS corroborated this with its latest survey giving DU30 70% net satisfaction rating – meaning I belong to 70% and you guys to minority 30%
        https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/04/11/1805012/duterte-retains-very-good-satisfaction-ratings-sws-survey

        Moreover, the ADB is optimistic about the country’s economy by saying the PHL remains among the “fastest growing Southeast Asian economies”
        https://www.adb.org/countries/philippines/economy

        This could be attributed to the massive BUILD BUILD BUILD priority projects such as connecting the PHL from Aparri to Tawi-Tawi with concrete bridges, among others

      • Correct! Considering Duterte’s Certificate of Candidacy has heaps of irregularities.

      • Hmmm…

        Sana?

        Kung pumalpak ang Alejano’s Impeachment complaint sa lower House, tanggapin kaya sa Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET)… composed of justices of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

        IN THE KNOW: What’s a quo warranto petition?

        Under Rule 66 of the Rules of Court, a quo warranto petition may be filed by the government or an individual against “a person who usurps, intrudes into, or unlawfully holds or exercises a public office, position or franchise.”

        […]

        A quo warranto case may only be brought within one year from the time the cause of action or ouster arose.

        – http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/973081/in-the-know-whats-a-quo-warranto-petition

        Prescribed period limited to within a year? SC CJ Sereno’s quo warranto case before the SC … 5 + years since she assumed the CJ role!

    • ““It can be used to question the right of a public officer to continue holding public office, if there is an irregularity to the title of public office,” the former magistrate explained.”

      …irregularity – Does it not show glaringly that the OSG pet. Quo Warranto against CJ Sereno is highly irregular in that in normal petitions by QUO WARRANTO the prescribed period is ONE YEAR?

      How many years have passed since CJ Sereno was appointed as Chief Justice of the SC? Answer: 5 Years!

      Isn’t the petition with grossly ‘in irregularity’ also?

      How can the ‘PRAYER’ of the petition ask the SC to void the appointment of CJ Sereno when 5 Years has elapsed?

      How can the ‘PRAYER’ ask the SC to OUST CJ Sereno because of irregularity when the petition also is so much with irregularity on prescriptive period of within ONE YEAR?

      If the Rules of Court Rule 66 on Quo Warranto requires that a petition be filed WITHIN ONE YEAR, can the SC disregard this period when FIVE (5) YEARS have already ran since the appointment and exercise of CJ Sereno as such?

      That would add another IRREGULARITY by the SC if the rule on prescriptive period of ONE YEAR be disregarded, isn’t it?

      Did the OSG explain to justify to the satisfaction of the respondent CJ Sereno and the SC why the LATENESS or DEAD petition for Quo Warranto in the case? What is the acceptable and credible explanation by the OSG Office?

      Irregularity is, under the facts of the case, so weak to uphold. It is like asking to UNEARTH or DIG UP what has been built, planted in good faith and with all legal regular presumption of compliance with the law to remove or OUST by declaring VOID all what has been accomplished in the High Court.

      Irregularity will attempt to disrupt and destroy the INDEPENDENCE of the Supreme Court under the facts of this case if such will be blindly followed disregarding the rule of law and the Constitution including Rule 66 of the Rules of Court.

      The rule of law will become absolutely DEAD if this kind of petition Quo Warranto is allowed to breath and blow away as it exhales everything in its midst.

      DISMISS this petition for Quo Warranto in this case. This is VOICE of so many including those who knows the law and the Constitution including the Rules of Court.

      Decency in our administration of justice is important today and for our tomorrows.

      • Precedent?

        Bending Route 66, a window of opportunity that may open a toll gate for quo warrantos petitions?

        If the SG Calida succeeds.

        • your questions will be answered when both parties submit their respective memorandum on or before April 20 and the SC then decides on the merits or demerits of the quo warranto petition

        • If Mr. Calida succeeds, he’ll most
          probably be the next CJ [if he’s not
          over 70 years old] but the 5 justices
          specially J. T. De Castro will be watching
          his SALNs when
          he applies before the JBC for cj.

          Or the next OMBUDSMAN by August
          this year.

        • Detained Senator Leila de Lima to be freed soon?

          ————-

          On SG Calida’s quo warranto petition against SC CJ Sereno?

          Numbers game, majority of 14.

          Would all three peers be still on leave by the time they vote post April 20, no extension?

          En Banc pa kaya to outcast their Chief? Or disparaging self opinionated magistrates that they are not unanimous to common script their questionnaires on how or what to vote on … to determine the fate of their Chief, whether a permanent leave or await the result of their Chief’s Senate impeachment trial. That is of course if the lower house plenary votes to up the ante.

          The articles of impeachment hasn’t been voted to date by the lower house. Who gets to blink first? Two branches hasn’t decided yet, except the Malacanang hoodlum that wants her out, by hook or by crook.

    • folksies, pls keep your saln for 5yrs, more if you plan to become chief justice one day. them salns may come handy, he, he, he. and pray na walang sunog (simbako lang!) your saln lost o kaya misplaced.

      • Anyone who has serious doubts about
        himself/herself to apply as justice at
        the SC, DO NOT APPLY ANYMORE.

        Baka simbako lang, madali ka ng
        Ko Warranto!

        he he

      • JBC keeps stretching SALNs compliance
        like a RUBBER BAND – inat inat then no inat
        no inat. It depends . . . PALAKASAN
        talaga!

        Mandatory SALNs but NOT mandatory. Ano
        ito? What ‘guarantee’ is there? No guarantee
        ‘di mo alam?

        onli in ‘Pinas!

  6. sorry sa sobrang out of topic

    But there is this movie about to be show on netflix, the title is called “AMO” and the story about the need of drug war in the country. The movie will try to justify the killings daw.

    There is a petition to asking Netflix to cancel the movie …
    below is the link
    https://www.change.org/p/netflix-netflix-don-t-air-pro-duterte-drugwar-series?recruiter=869059512&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial.nafta_milestone_share_ask_victory.control

  8. Have you noticed the voice of De Castro? … it seems that it was shaking or “kinakabahan”.

    Many times it was called upon that the SC does not have juries diction and it is only the senate that can remove a CJ.

    Pero, this goverment works like a steelman in a construction team, bending rules.

    • The High Court patently acquired jurisdiction on the quo warranto petition vs CJ Sereno when it directed both parties to turn in their respective memorandum on or before April 20 without extension

      After this, the case will be deemed submitted for resolution, said Acting CJ Antonio Carpio after more than five hours of oral arguments that were marked with heated exchanges, mostly between Sereno and AJ Teresita de Castro

      http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/649553/sc-wraps-up-oral-arguments-on-quo-warranto-petition-vs-sereno/story/

      • pinagbigyan yata ni carpio si aling tersing, given a legal platform, the hallowed halls of supreme court, to lampaso youngish sereno anew. kaso, ayaw ni sereno na maging floor wax! yappy! even mang noel tijam found out the hard way that forcing sereno to go on leave was counter productive. instead of licking her wounds, crying and bemoaning her fate, a much invigorated sereno went on speaking tours around the nation! where tijam et al had perhaps expected to see a wounded and limping sereno, sereno was bullish as a lawyer should be! knew how to use words as weapon. law aside, words are lawyer’s deadliest weapon and sereno wields words like she is its true master.

        sereno made good use of the enforced leave she has been dealt with, and use it to her advantage, propelling herself further. hard worker and not lazy, she has achieved much while on forced leave, way to go!

        aling tersing de castro should have gone on leave too, followed sereno around the nation, trip her and sabotage her speaking tours.

        now, saln lamang ang bottom point ni aling tersing. internal revenues the world over asked that tax receipts be kept for 5yrs, pero aling tersing is going back 12yrs! susma, kung alam lang ni sereno 12yrs ago na magkakaruon siya ng saln show down with aling tersing, sereno might have kept her salns in safe deposit box ng banko sentral mismo! he, he, he.

        • sam, latest news sa abs-cbn according to cj sereno’s lawyer cj recovered 5 of her saln and ready to present in proper court

      • The Court can dismiss the
        pet. quo warranto for lack of
        jurisdiction. That’s how it is.

        Or. . . the petition has
        lapsed or prescribed in its
        time period of 1 year, or
        both with lack of jurisdiction
        again.

        If non-committed justices
        are high IQ they’ll vote to
        dismiss the petition otherwise
        they are candidates for such
        a petition and so the rest of
        future justices for the Court.

        In Robert Bolt’s A Man for All
        Seasons (1960) it goes:

        “Roper: So now you’d give the Devil benefit of law!
        More: Yes. What would you do? Cut a great road through the law to get after the Devil?
        Roper: I’d cut down every law in England to do that!
        More: Oh? And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned round on you — where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat? This country’s planted thick with laws from coast to coast — man’s laws, not God’s — and if you cut them down — and you’re just the man to do it — d’you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then? Yes, I’d give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety’s sake.”

        https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Robert_Bolt

        • My understanding:

          ‘cutting down the law’ [ the Constitution as a tree ]

          in favor of planting Quo Warranto tree.

    • sam, for tax purposes po, I think, tax receipt can be kept for about 5yrs and then, pwedeng itapon. internal revenues worldwide have that 5yr requirement. keeping tax receipts indefinitely and forever could mount to hoarding. sakit yang hoarding, many hoarders end up with collections that resemble mountains that eventually take over household space, then rot and become health hazard. I’ve heard of collectors being buried alive by their mountainous collection, squashed to death.

      he, he, he, I hope aling de castro is not suggesting sereno become saln hoarder.

  9. Out of topic –

    G.R. No. 237428 (Republic of the Philippines, represented by Solicitor general Jose C. Calida vs. Maria Lourdes P. A. Sereno)

    Oral Arguments on Quo Warranto Petition against the CJ, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQfbdTrf7pk

    SC Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno under intense questioning by her nemesis Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro.

    • J. T. L.-De Castro is focused on the SALNs of
      the CJ. This is a waste of time because the
      JBC already gave its imprimatur to the application
      for CJ by J. Sereno and Pres. Pinoy did then
      and there chose her to be the next CJ of the SC.

      In short, moot and academic na yun issue of SALNs.

      That is my na salin [natira] opn.

      SUS MA Justice De Castro!

      Let us go to the impeachment and Senate trial! APURAHIN NYO! . . . says Pdutz.

      he he he

      • When we follow PAREKOY’s quto, the rules
        of the JBC as applied to CJ Sereno’s application
        for CJ of the SC, it is Dura Lex Sed Lex.

        J. De Castro is dinu-DURAAN yun JBC rules!

        Baho dura!

        he he he

        • de castro is such a sour puss! airing her bitterness like it’s the most important than the whole of supreme court, the whole of the nation and that all things must stop when she speaks. she must be heard and was heard, and dismissed by the likes of me, he, he, he. madam ranter extra ordinaire de castro must now bite her tongue. she is gas bagging!

          de castro has personal issues best kept to herself. the better person has already gotten the job, de castro was eclipsed and not considered better person then for very good reason. she is mental! super mental! she needs to go on therapy in order for her to get over her loss, her hurt, her ego salved.

          5yrs na ang nakaraan since sereno’s appointment and all that time, de castro has been undermining sereno, laging salungat. worst justice in history, methink, justice scorned daig pa ang woman scorned.

          de castro is trying to be the alvarez of supreme court, gagawing congress na rin niya ang supreme court at si digong na yata ang ina-amo. it must really be affront to her that despite her posturings, she is not the acting chief justice, by passed na naman siya. the scorned justice is such bad sport. waste of education.

          dura lex sed lex, de castro is spitting at herself!

    • suggestion lang po ito: next time po there is vacancy sa bureau of internal revenue, please consider de castro for the job of tax commissioner, she is all for salns, he, he, he.

  10. In all these decades, it has been very obvious that what this country needs is right education -instilling the important priorities and values and persistent inculcation and understanding of what is morally right for a human society.

    • Welcome to Cyber Plaza Miranda F. Pinga.

      I hope you will join in the discussions which can sometimes get very heated.

      Raissa

    • to many po, education is commodity. and being highly educated does not necessarily mean being of high moral values. so many pinoys are educated but badly schooled.

      whether educated or not, our society has mores and standard applicable to all, and if societal mores and standard are let slip, downgraded and made lesser, everyone suffers.

  11. Dura Lex, Sed Lex (Talionis)

    From Wiki

    The principle is sometimes referred using the Latin term lex talionis or the law of talion. The English word talion (from the Latin talio[3]) means a retaliation authorized by law, in which the punishment corresponds in kind and degree to the injury.

    We know by now that Lex Talionis is the ruling Frat! High profile members are posted in the Cabinet and in sensitive positions in government are Duterte’s main line of defense and offense.

    We should also be aware that when it comes to Duterte’s opponents and critics, they don’t abide by their principle of Law of Talion and they go overboard and overkill when it comes to punishing Duterte’s enemies like De Lima, Sereno, PNoy, and Leni Robredo.

    The just punishment is also absent when it comes to Duterte’s Drug War, wherein only the majority who are users and petty pushers are slaughtered by the tens of thousands while the drug lords are used as state witnesses, protected, coddled, and even freed.

    On corruption and ill-gotten wealth, even slap on the wrist punishment is completely absent when it comes to plunderers like Gloria, The Marcoses, Jinggoy, and Enrile. Napoles is now even used as a spear to poke the unwilling Senators for the impeachment of CJ Sereno.

    As per PhilStar, these are the six controversial cases that earned Aguirre criticism:
    1. De Lima drug case – The nation already knows that these are trumped-up charges using imprisoned drug lords as witnesses.

    2. Bureau of Immigration bribery controversy – Al Argosino and Michael Robles were accused of extorting P50 million from gaming tycoon Jack Lam in exchange of release of 1,316 Chinese employees of Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino. Parekoy: The magical disappearance of 1000 peso bill technically downgrades the case below plunder, thus bail able. Dura lex, sed Lex Talionis! (pun intended!)

    3. Downgrading of charges in Espinosa slay- from murder to homicide. Supt. Marvin Marcos and 10 of his men are protected!

    4. P6.4-billion shabu shipment case – This is where Polong got exposed by Trillanes. Prosec Aristotle Reyes cleared Faeldon and other Customs officials cut charged the caretaker. Reyes cleared Faeldon in November 2017, and again in January 2018 . Prosec Aristotle Reyes was promoted by Duterte to be the Judge at Lucena City RTC Branch 15 on January 17, 2018.

    5. Peter Lim, Kerwin Espinosa drug case- Prosec Aristotle Reyes belonged to the panel that dismissed drug trade and conspiracy charges against Cebu-based businessman Peter Lim and Kerwin Espinosa.

    6. PDAF reinvestigation – Janet Lim-Napoles, alleged brains behind the multibillion-peso scam, has been provisionally admitted under the DOJ’s witness protection program on Feb. 27.

    As a veteran and keen observer of Philippine politics, Lex Talionis unity is fleeting when it comes to personal ambitions! Aguirre is becoming too powerful within Duterte’s inner circle and planning to create his own fiefdom in Quezon. He is fielding his son Aris in the third district of Quezon, which worries the Suarez Dynasty.

    According to my unreliable source in Malacanyang, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Pagcor President Alfredo Lim, both Lex Talionis, maneuvered to expel Vitaliano Aguirre from DOJ. The main reasons are a mixture of delicadeza (grabe na raw ang kakapalan ni Aguirre) and Quezon politics! It is also known by the inner circle that Alfredo Lim is more trusted by Duterte, in fact he was offered the position of Executive Secretary but instead recommended Salvador Medialdea. These two are the low profile loyalists of Duterte and going to protect Duterte’s legacy no matter what!

    Now that 2018 election is near, loyal people (even with cases and notorious corrupt operators) are appointed at money –making posts for fundraising activities in order to accumulate a large war chest in the coming elections.

    It is interesting to see that there are no honor among thieves and definitely no honor among Lex Talionis when personal and family ambitions are on the line!

    In 2018 elections, Filipinos will hire or rehire their new legal thieves and robbers!
    Here we go again and it is true that the more things change the more they stay the same!

    “Dura lex, sed lex”, has entirely new meaning: Dura(SPIT) on Law, said Lex Talionis!

    Thank you unreliable source! Woop woop!

    Parekoy
    04-09-2018

    • You are absolutely right. More changes came about, and the citizens change for the bad choices that they’d rather tolerate the present and abhor the yellow as a symbol of bad governance and corruption, thanks to the input and mass brainwashing from the data harvested by FB and its co conspirators to have sanitized the present leadership, 16 m swept the govt. to unbelievable win.

      The people became very compliant with the current leaders at the cost of breaking the constitution and just waiting passively till the hammer bangs down for total control of the land; that the SC IS NOW THE ENTITY BEING JUDGED.

      One comm-enter on this link said that SK is now the beacon of justice and democracy.
      It’s almost unbelievable to see this happening somewhere else, even in the West.

      https://www.yahoo.com/news/south-korean-court-finds-ousted-park-guilty-bribery-062950804.html

      Actually, Filipinos never changed at all going by the personal information gathered from their posts and other data, as per Andrew’s comment .. “Clannish and tribal. Willing to forego morals in favor of material advancement.”

      True, true. The only time a Filipino changes ( maybe, depends ) her/his mind and become more open is when she/he goes out of the country and interacts and observes others life out of the tribe.

      But why do we still blame the OFW’S for succumbing to this present manipulation and loyal fanatic belief ? Is the manipulation still ongoing,,, yes it is, because the fake news maker are still enabled to twist reality without qualms, punishment and restrictions. Unless , the OFWS have changed into robots without a brain /mind of their own.

      The drums of WW3 maybe is near, not here nor there, so impeachment or not , Duterte, Marcos , Arroyo, Military rule would be nothing after all.
      To imagine the fourth state is being the people is apt not to be counted in, for it became very quiet and very still. But just gets alive to watch the Filipino Xfactor and the antics of Vice Ganda.

      What a boring existence!

      • ahem, brillante mendoza has netflix on drug war, immortalizing his amo, duterte, bringing him close to viewing public who so like to watch and be entertained.

        you got that right, netty, pasttime ng mga pinoys yan to sit and watch and be entertained and while away the hours. and brilliante mendoza is tapping into it. he must have been commissioned to promote his amo to the nation and to the world, via teleseries starring derek ramsay.

        those agrabyado sa never ending drug wars ni duterte, the collaterals and the families of victims left behind and still grieving for their loss, dapat sila mag-silent vigil outside sa tahanan ni brilliante mendoza, or outside the studio, mag-vigil sila at de bale na kung mag-isa o ko-konti sila dahil hapong hapo na, o harassed by kapolisan, binabato’t dinuduraan pa, just held vigil. blessed are the meek but strong at heart . . .

    • “Dura lex, sed lex”, has entirely new meaning: Dura(SPIT) on Law, said Lex Talionis!

      and the same spitters of the law will be around for federalism, hugging the same credo of – nihilism! nothing matters other than them, them above all. consultant on federalism, ex cj puno is so kidding himself, federalism is not the magic, the cure all bullet to the nation’s problems.

      the spitters of the law will surely be availing themselves of federalism, their new vehicle for enriching themselves further, riding higher. they’ll spit on anti dynasty and spit at the constitution, spit, spit, spit, spit-firing all the way. and puno is paving their way, making it easier for them to spit left, right and center, fooling the taumbayan once again and lulling them of the mythical merits of federalism. focus on federalism, not its greedy players getting greedier, puno must have been told. and for a fee, puno is doing just that, smoke-screening the greedy players with federalism, making taumbayan see only federalism, and not the spitters behind it.

      so in a way, puno is mr nix, faces on the same coin. any which way the coin is flipped . . . taumbayan is worse off.

  12. Based on personal information Filipinos submitted to Facebook, plus their history of what they liked, discussed, posted, etc. I am willing to bet one profile which fit numerous Filipinos goes something like this:

    “Extremely gullible; does not like reading/analyzing much. Highly emotional and can be pulled in any direction using fear or anger. Perpetually financially challenged, they are in dire need of security, which a strong, decisive image for a leader can provide. Educated to some extent, but local standards not up to par with global. ”

    “Clannish and tribal. Willing to forego morals in favor of material advancement.”

    “Very poor students of history.”

    • ahem, 1.5 million pinoys on facebook were affected by data breach kuno, mostly those with high traffic at may maraming bumibisita, mga high profile individuals, may maraming followers. thought ko tuloy ang mga marcoses, high traffic baga ang facebook nila, maraming bumibisita. at kung na-breached man sila, at nag-donate pa sila sa election coffer ni duterte, aba double whammy. duterte won and bong marcos lost. what irony! marahil.

      • Yes, but I have been looking for the link between Manafort – Bongbong – Duterte.

        Can you help me find it?

        Thanks.

        • Raissa,

          The staff of Bob Mueller can be of help here. Remember the mandate is to investigate all wrongdoing, not just Russia collusion.

        • Name a halfwit.

          Robert Mueller’s Beltway Cover-Up, http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/257335/robert-muellers-beltway-cover-up

          That’s why the investigation can’t stop; it can only keep expanding. Let Mueller do his work, Democratic and Republican elites chant together, like a mystery cult. We don’t know what Mueller knows. Somewhere, someone must have committed a crime, or told a lie, and then something that Trump did or someone who worked for him did will prove that someone did something, or that someone lied to the people in charge of the cover-up.

        • You can touch base with Roger Stone… and ask him.

          With partners Charlie Black and Paul Manafort, he formed Black, Manafort, and Stone,[37][38] a political consulting firm, described as “instrumental in the success of Ronald Reagan’s 1984 campaign”. Republican political strategist Lee Atwater later joined the firm in 1985, after serving the #2 position on Reagan-Bush ’84. The firm lobbied for the Filipino dictator Ferdinand Marcos[39][40] and the Congolese dictator Mobutu Sese Seko.[41]

          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Stone

  14. Have you gotten in touch with:

    Carole Cadwalladr
    @carolecadwalla

    Christopher Wylie
    @chrisinsilico

    on Twitter if they know something on the Philippine connection?

    • Christopher Wylie @chrisinsilico did not reply to me.

      First time I heard of @carolecadwalla

      Thanks.

  15. We’re on the same side but I’m just wondering why you claimed exclusivity to this news when you simply lifted it from South China Morning Post

    • Lol,,,, do you even visit CPM but now?
      The rumor that DDS are “Mocha -like” is the truth. Reading comprehension is faulty at its best :)

      Linky @ Raissa

      businessinsider.com/emails-peter-thiel-palantir-facebook-cambridge-analytica-2018-3

      //www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-04-04/facebook-slapped-four-new-lawsuits-over-cambridge-analytica-data-harvesting-scandal

    • Actually, Rob Ocampo, I do owe you a bit of apology.

      In my sleepiness to upload this story on my website last night, I forgot to include my byline in the SCMP excerpt that I posted here.

      I have corrected that oversight.

      Do come and join the discussions here. You will find it mind-blowing at times, infuriating at times but often insightful.