President Duterte's PRIORITIES in his first ever State of the Nation Address (SONA)

President Rodrigo Duterte's first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday reiterated his election campaign promises and his inaugural address — law and order, economic development, and improved government service.

Unilateral ceasefire with Reds

To loud applause, the President declared a unilateral ceasefire with the New People's Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, which has been waging a 47-year-old insurgency.

 "I expect and call on our fellow Filipinos in the National Democratic Front and its forces to respond accordingly," Duterte added.

NDF representatives have indicated they were open to a ceasefire while holding negotiations with the Duterte government, a departure from their previous firm stand of not agreeing to a truce until a final peace deal has been signed. Formal peace talks are scheduled to resume in Oslo, Norway, next month.

'Relentless' fight vs. corruption, crime

 Recalling his promises during the election campaign, Duterte said his administration's fight against crime, illegal drugs, and corruption "will be relentless and sustained."

 "We will not stop until the last drug lord, the last financier, and the last [drug] pusher have surrendered or [have been] put behind bars — or below the ground if they so wish," he said.

He also warned police officers and government officials involved in crime. "Abuse your authority, and there will be hell to pay — for you would have become worse than criminality itself," he said.

Duterte ordered the National Police Commission to speed up the investigation of cases of officers linked to crime. He also directed the Napolcom to suggest policies for making lifestyle checks on the police.

Inter-agency fight vs. drugs

Duterte said his administration will create an inter-agency committee to deal with illegal drugs and integrate efforts and strengthen partnerships of all "stakeholders." He said the armed forces will prepare military camps to be used for drug rehabilitation.

Military reservists will be mobilized for an information campaign against drug use, and dissemination of information regarding the drug rehabilitation program.

Duterte said the government will prioritize the rehabilitation of drug users as residential treatment and rehabilitation facilities are established all over the country.

'Full force' vs. Abu Sayyaf

Duterte said the "full force" of the AFP will be applied "to crush" the terrorist Abu Sayyaf group, whom he described as "criminals who operate under the guise of religious fervor."

Among other things, he plans to increase coordination with Malaysia and Indonesia and strengthen the government's counter-terrorism program by amending various laws on terrorism, terrorism financing and cyber crime.  He did not specify the amendments.

Maritime row with China

Duterte also stood by the Arbitral Tribunal's decision that favored the Philippines in its arbitration against China’s claims to virtually all of the South China Sea.

“We strongly affirm and respect the outcome of the case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration as an important contribution to the ongoing efforts to pursue a peaceful resolution and management of our disputes,” Duterte said.

The five-member Arbitral Tribunal upheld the Manila’s position that China’s “nine-dash line” maritime claim is excessive and encroached into the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Duterte has appointed former President Fidel V. Ramos to stand as the country's special envoy to China in talks over the maritime dispute.

'Social justice will be pursued'

Duterte said his administration will pursue a "human" approach for development with improvements in health, social welfare, education, food and housing.

He said addressing global warming will be a "top priority." "But upon a fair and equitable equation. It must not stymie our industrialization," he added.

The validity of a driver's licenses will be extended from three to five years, while passport will be made valid for 10 years from the current five.

Duterte said the newly created Department of Information and Communications Technology will formulate a plan o accelerate the deployment of fiber optic cables to improve internet speed. He also said there will be free WiFi in selected public places.

Credits: CNN Philippines

NO MORE CURFEW IN MANILA, QUEZON CITY AND NAVOTAS

            

             The Supreme Court has temporarily stopped the implementation of curfew in the three cities, namely: Manila, Quezon City, and Navotas. This is as an answer to the case filed by the group SPARK (Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan) last July 22, in order for the court to take up the case and study the complaint of the group.

             The group, led by Joanne Lim argued that the curfew imposed by President Duterte contradicted the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, as it curtail the right of the minors for travel and liberty. "If the current ordinance is really for the youth and our protection, there are many ways to curb petty crimes and protect minors from becoming the victim by improving city lights and for police to be more vigilant.", Lim said.

               The Supreme Court has given the local government units of the three cities ten (10) days to answer the complaint filed by the SPARK.

Martial Law in certain parts in Mindanao to stop Abu Sayyaf

National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said he supports proposals to declare Martial Law in certain parts of Mindanao to stop the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

"Kung 'yan eh talagang nakakalutas sa problema eh 'di mas magandang gawin 'yan. Kung 'yan ang nakikita nating magandang solusyon," said incoming PNP chief, Chief Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa.

Dela Rosa made the comment when asked what he plans to do against the dreaded Abu Sayyaf Group, which has beheaded two Canadian captives.

The bandit group on Monday beheaded its second Canadian victim, Robert Hall, after the deadline they set for the authorities to produce P600 million lapsed.

The severed head was found by civilians near a church in Jolo, and has been taken to the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame.

The incoming PNP chief declined to comment on questions about his plan to stop the bandit group, but threw his support behind the efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

"Problema natin sa South, alam naman natin na ang naka-focus talaga diyan ay AFP. Kami we are willing to support all the efforts of AFP diyan," dela Rosa said.

He vowed to discuss strategies with Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya, the incoming AFP chief of staff, once their appointments become official.

"Pag ako nakaupo mag-usap kami ni General Visaya, incoming Chief of Staff, kung paano namin talaga atakihin yang problema na 'yan. Mag-uusap kami," he said.

Robredo, De Lima, Drilon & others could lose position because of Mar Roxas

Among the presidential candidates, only Roxas – the Liberal Party standard bearer – failed to submit to the Commission on Elections the required Statement of Contributions and Expenses (SOCE) even after the 5 p.m. deadline last Wednesday was extended to 6:30 p.m.

Documenting the flow of campaign funds under the 30-year-old Omnibus Election Code is a chore every candidate, especially one running for president, is supposed to know. There is no excuse for the top bet of a well-oiled machine not being able to file a SOCE on time.

Based on the number of registered voters, the Comelec has set the campaign-spending limit for the May 9 polls at P557,399,110 per candidate for president and for vice president.

Any candidate – winner or loser, local or national -- who fails to submit his SOCE faces possible fines. Committing the same violation again would mean disqualification from ever holding any elective or appointive public office.

Under Section 111 of Article XI of the election code (Batas Pambansa Bilang 881), even if a winner files his SOCE, he would still not be allowed to “enter upon the duties of his office” if his party fails to submit its separate SOCE. 

Since the LP has failed to submit its SOCE, even the oath-taking of Vice President-elect Leni Robredo is now under question. Senators-elect of the LP (Franklin Drilon, Joel Villanueva, Risa Hontiveros, Kiko Pangilinan, Ralph Recto and Leila de Lima) are in the same situation.

Jim Paredes attacks Duterte's mom through a meme

The Veteran OPM Singer and Composer Jim Paredes posted a “memes” on his twitter account about the late mother of the President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, has been doing the rounds online.

In a twitter post, Jim Paredes posted a painting picture of the “Whistler’s Mother” and captioned it with “Duterte’s Mom?”. Earlier, Jim also criticized by netizen for posting a meme picture of Sto. Nino’s crown with the face of the President-elect Duterte and captioned it “I now reject the Son of God from Davao.”

t can be recalled that the Incoming President Rodrigo Duterte draws flak for catcalling the GMA7 reporter Mariz Umali during a press conference in Davao City.

Many netizen  reacted about the meme’s and said :

@Jimparedes if your mom is dragged into social media for humor, how would you feel? what happened, jim? i looked up to you, until now.

— sassanpotpot (@sassanpot) June 9, 2016

@Jimparedes hey Jim! kung wala ka magawa sa buhay mo ituloy mo nalang pagpipicture mo ng mga hubad na babae! manyak ka din naman #disenteka?

— lyra rivera (@lyrarivera) June 4, 2016

@Jimparedes are you a child? do you know the history of this iconic art and what it represents? Shame.

— Leix Holt (@QuadEight) June 9, 2016

Another twitter user also posted her “Whistler’s Mother” version

@Jimparedes @emmanjean @Jimparedes @emmanjean 

it confuses me which one is authentic and the real " Whistler's"mompic.twitter.com/tZa0XLfP2W

— Six's Mom (@ellatwitte) June 5, 2016

@Jimparedes @emmanjean OMG nahanap ko na yung tunay na Whistler's mother lol. hahaha #hindimakamoveon #forgiveme pic.twitter.com/d3NOg3m5hi

— Six's Mom (@ellatwitte) June 7, 2016

Atienza to Duterte: Death Penalty will only bring violence and more crime

     

Buhay Representative Lito Atienza – a pro-life lawmaker – has given a warning to President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, his administration and the 17th Congress about the reinstatement of the death penalty, saying that it would not help eliminate crime but would increase the level of violence in the country instead.

         “That killing convicts will somehow lessen crime is a false premise. On the contrary, executions will only engender a culture of violence that will in turn breed even more brutal crimes,” Atienza stated.

         According to the former mayor of Manila, the best way to minimize crime in the country is effective law enforcement and a strict application and implementation of the law. “We maintain that the certainty of the swift capture and punishment of felons is our best deterrence to crime,” he added

          However, Atienza clarified that he fully supports Duterte’s plan to strongly fight against all kinds of crime, especially corruption and illegal drug trade. “We want our new president to succeed in the war on crime. He deserves everybody’s help in rooting out corruption in law enforcement, the prosecution service, the judiciary and corrections,” Atienza explained.

                Atienza also believes that public hanging is a cruel and inhumane punishment which could prevent the progress of society. “In the years ahead, we envision a highly progressive and humane republic firmly grounded in a culture of life—on respect for the sanctity of human life. We are not dreaming of a backward and callous nation anchored on a medieval culture of death,” Atienza said.

Top drug lords raise P1 billion for the heads of Duterte and others

        Top drug and crime lords are raising P1 billion for the heads of incoming-President Rodrigo Duterte, his anointed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, a senator and another government official.

           A source told INQUIRER.net that some 20 crime bosses, mostly drug lords inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), were contributing to the kill-Duterte fund.

According to the source, earlier reports of a P50-million reward on Duterte and incoming PNP chief, Chief Supt. Ronald dela Rosa “are not true but bigger.”

          “Not only one person will pay, but people from different organizations,” said the source, who had intimate knowledge of the drug trade. “There are probably 20” main players, the source added. And each main player pledged P50 million for the pot money, bringing the entire fund to about P1 billion.

       Dela Rosa earlier said that drug lords inside NBP offered P10 million for his and Duterte’s heads. But there were no takers so the reward was raised to P50-million.

The reward from the drug lords came after Duterte offered rewards for every drug lord or pusher killed. The President-elect promised P5 million for every dead drug lord, P3 million if arrested alive and P50,000 each from small-time pushers.

             Dela Rosa issued a warning to criminals: “We will crush you. We will bury you.”

According to the incoming administration, 75 percent of the illegal drugs sold in the Philippines were made in the National Bilibid Prisons (NBP). This prompted incoming Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre to vow that his war against illegal drugs would start at the NBP.

“Nasisiraan na yung mga tao sa loob. Hindi kasi nila alam kung seseryosohin ni Digong yung sinabi nyang papatayin lahat ng drug lords doon,” the source said.

Not only Duterte

        Apart from Duterte and Dela Rosa, also included in the kill-list were former Justice Secretary now Senator Leila de Lima and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Ricardo Rainier Cruz III.

          De Lima led the first of the series of raids inside Bilibid where authorities discovered some inmates living in “suite-like” kubols with appliances, hot tubs, gadgets and more.

Because of the first raid, 19 high-profile inmates, mostly drug lords, were transferred to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) while Building 14, a highly secured facility inside NBP, was being constructed.

          After the construction, the 19 inmates were moved back to the NBP and detained at Building 14, isolated from other inmates. Cruz, on the other hand, initiated “Oplan Galugad,” a regular raid conducted inside the NBP to seize contraband and prohibited items. More than 30 “galugads” have been conducted. He also ordered the dismantling of kubols that previously housed high-profile inmates.

           Last February, Cruz dismantled a two-storey structure occupied by one inmate. It was renovated to house  elderly inmates.

The source said two of the 20 who pledged to the pot are among the “Bilibid 19” currently detained at Building 14, while two others are chemists and Filipinos who belong to the same organization.

Credits: Inquirer.Net