The Baguio City Council “approved on Monday the Human Rights Defenders Ordinance designed to shield activists from threats, defamation and harassment by law enforcement and government officials. Expected to be signed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong, it provides a 'redress mechanism' for the victims. Offenders must ‘rectify’ their statements or face penalties.” – Inquirer frontpage news item.

Baguio Penalizes Red-Tagging

In almost 3 years of a UniTeam governance, the people are also watching its record of human rights violations. And this focus is understandable while Congress has its special focused on its investigation of confidential funds spent particularly those of VP Sara Duterte by her Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Office of the Department of Education (DepED). Significantly, two impeachment raps have been filed against her by various groups and individuals, and backed up by some lawmakers.  

Marcos-Duterte Human Rights Violations

“DEFENSE, MMDA, DICT BUDGETS HIKED; UP, SUCS, DEPED SEE CUTS” – that is, while the budget of the DPWH was enlarged by almost P289-trillion to a record P1.1 trillion. 

Budget Cuts, Anti-Education!

Fact news from CNN: “DONALD TRUMP AVOIDS JAIL, BUT REMAINS A FELON.” He was charged, convicted and sentenced criminally “for 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.” (Inquirer). Do we see a similar case in our beloved Philippines?

A felon as head of state

The bicameral conference allocated a zero budget to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) for 2025. This was swiftly condemned by more than a hundred CSOs, NGOs, Partylists, and individuals. 

Zero Budget For PhilHealth –Why?

Inquirer’s screaming headline: “HOUSE TAGS DU30, ET AL, FOR ‘CRIMES VS HUMANITY’.” Yes, “ET AL” refers to Senators Christopher ‘Bong’ Go and Ronald ‘Bato’dela Rosa, former PNP chiefs Oscar Albayalde and Debold Sinas. Others implicated with Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s crimes are: former Cebu police chief Royina Garma, former National Police Edilberto Leonardo, Go’s aide, Herminia “Muking” Espino, Police Lt. Col. Sante Mendoza, former PNP Officer Nelson Mariano, Police Senior Master Sgt. Jeremy Causapin, one alias “Loloy,” former PNP Officers Arthur Narsolis and Gerardo Padilla, Wille Ong aka Cai Qimeng, Yang Jiazheng aka Aedy Tai Yang, Davao Rep. Paolo Duterte, Davao City Councilor Nilo Abellera Jr.,former chief of presidential task force for media Paul Gutierrez, former National Irrigation (NIA) administrator Benny Antiporda, Jojo Bacud, “Tita Nene” and Allen Capuyen, Michael Yang, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Whirlwind Inc. shareholder Cassandra Li Ong and former Bamban Mayor Alice Go.

Duterte’s Crimes vs Humanity

With the onset of a new year, 2025, the Filipino people wish and hope for a better Philippines. That is, a country where social justice reigns – that is, the more than 119 million Filipinos, or at least the majority of them, have a comfortable home to stay in where their family can always be together, without worrying where to sleep and rest in, eat together, play, seek refuge in times of heavy rains or floods, and feel safe from any form of danger to one’s health or life, day in and day out. 

A Wish and Hope for 2025

It is December 2024, the birth month of the Lord of Truth and Justice, Jesus Christ. Most especially for the Philippines, the seat of Christianity in Asia, Christmas is THE season of joyous celebration by Filipinos, acknowledging the birth of the Savior of mankind, Jesus Christ. It is the time of the year when families get together and show their love for one another, praying and worshiping the God of Love, and sharing gifts, celebrating each other’s company with a special food feast. This love-sharing can extend to neighbors, to the community and to those who have least in life, the marginalized in society.

Christmas ’24 Philippines

President Bongbong Marcos signed Executive Order No. 81 s. 2024 removing the vice-president and former presidents from the National Security Council (NSC). What can the people expect from this change in the composition of the NSC?

Is the NSC keeping the people safe?

A few days more, and it will be 2025. What’s in store for the Filipino people? 

Politics is Life

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