CONSUMERWORD

Consumerword is all about what a consumer like you and me experience, good or bad, in our daily lives.

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WHO SHOULD WE VOTE FOR MALABON CITY MAYOR?

In fairness to incumbent Mayor Len Oreta, he's been trying to setup the One-Stop-Shop for business permit renewals two years before Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivered his first SONA instructing Local Gov't Units (LGUs) to implement the scheme. Less better versions of what we have now in Malabon City, that is.

But since Jan. 2018, he had nearly perfected it - a business permit renewal can only take 2-3 hrs. (issuance of claim stub for actual permit)! For small business owners who have to do the legwork themselves, this is no insignificant feat of accomplishment.

We want to vote Vice-Mayor Jeannie Sandoval for the mayoral post because PRRD strongly endorsed her - but we're scared that she might bring in an administrator who'll make things difficult and inefficient again, just like before 2015. Can VM Jeannie Sandoval continue to carry out PRRD's governance style of efficiency and easier, quicker gov't licenses renewal for Malabon City?

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SEC. LOCSIN ON "TAHO" BULLY: IT CAN HAPPEN IN ANY OTHER COUNTRY.

Yes, but with dire consequences. The "Taho" bully, a Chinese woman who threw the local drink on a uniformed policeman posted at an MRT station, deserves no less than a week in jail. Try doing something like that in China to a uniformed Chinese policeman.

It is not a non-issue like Locsin contends because it deserves a sanction that should let everyone know that you can't get away with maliciously throwing your drink at a uniformed police officer who's simply doing his job. I wonder how Locsin will feel if somebody did it to him? Non-issue pa rin kaya?

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LRT SHOULD OPERATE UNTIL 12 MIDNIGHT EVEN IF WITH ADD’L P15 AS “PREMIUM FARE”

I’ve ridden the LRT after 9PM from Vito Cruz station at least thrice this past year and the coach is fairly packed with passengers. DOTr acknowledges that passenger volume after 10PM have increased in the past years.

I understand that LRT tried to extend its operating hours 3-years ago but discontinued it after an assessment in its level of efficiency. Of course, lesser passenger volume may likely result in lower returns for the same costs, but LRT isn’t just a business venture, isn’t it? It is also a public service facility!

Why not add P10 or P15 to the regular fare after 10PM? Call it “premium fare” for the extended hours. I’m sure that this would be viewed as reasonable enough considering that we don’t want to operate the train system at a loss but we also want to provide a safer and quicker means for our loved ones who are coming home from work or from school.

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RETURN OF BALANGIGA BELLS A RESULT OF DUTERTE-TRUMP STRONG LEADERSHIP COMBINATION

It would've taken back-channel efforts by Filipino and American groups at least another 1-1/2 decades to make progress on the return of the infamous Balangiga Bells hadn't the combination of Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Pres. Donald Trump happened. The supposed lobbying being done by them in the U.S. since the time of Pres. Ramos couldn't have even made a dent on the powerful U.S. War Veterans' lobbying to let them remain in U.S. hands.

Only Pres. Duterte and Pres. Trump, both known for their no-nonsense and strong leadership could have made such a remarkably difficult feat possible. Even Presidents Ramos, Estrada, Arroyo, and Aquino couldn't have possibly overcome the influential U.S. War Veterans' efforts in any of the previous U.S. administrations - Clinton, Bush and Obama.

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SM SUPERMARKET “HIGHWAY ROBBERY”

I got over a dozen boxes of Uraro biscuit at SM Supermarket, SM North EDSA over a week ago for my personal consumption and as "pasalubong" to my siblings in the U.S. after the stocks ran out at Robinsons Supermarket. I didn’t have time to canvas prices because my visiting siblings’ flight was just a couple of days away so I thought – a few pesos difference doesn’t matter.

To my unpleasant surprise after the package had left for abroad, I happened to look at the receipts from both stores and to my disbelief and annoyance – Robinsons’ was cheaper by P24.50 per box from that of SM Supermarket’s! P65.00/box against P89.50/box – that’s almost 30% more! I’m not a fan of the Robinson’s Group coz of the Gift Certificate “robbery” that they pulled in 2016, but let’s give credit where it is due.

After checking the expiry dates from both batches, I confirmed they’re all concurrent stocks. SM Supermarket stocks are simply much more expensive than Robinson Supermarket’s in this case. What a bummer. Check the prices at SM Supermarket with other stores first before you buy coz you may end up getting robbed, too.

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GEN. JOVITO PALPARAN: WE SHOULDN'T LEAVE A MAN BEHIND

Gen. Palparan may be accused of many things but he was also credited with keeping in check the NPA banditry wherever he was assigned. He was recognized to have done his designated missions very effectively, whether as a young Gold Cross Medal-decorated Lieutenant in Sulu or as a passionate anti-communist commanding General.

Whether or not he is guilty of the charges filed against him in the course of trying to fulfill his missions – government should have afforded him the best lawyers for his defense. Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte should see to it now considering that Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo failed to do so then. It is the least a grateful nation can do. It just isn’t right to leave a fallen soldier behind.

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PRES. DUTERTE ON RED OCTOBER AND EJK REMARKS

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte admitted in at least two of his speeches that he likes "shaking the tree" once in a while to see what falls out. His revelation on the Red October plot and his remarks on Extra-Judicial Killings may just be aimed at doing that. Ex-Pres. Arroyo confirmed that the President receives intelligence report that no one else gets. We know that he probably meant that while he has been accused of EJK, no one can point a finger on him for corruption and political persecution. His opponents just pounced on the statement literally because it suits their agenda.

The New York Times, in their article titled "Becoming Duterte: The Making of a Philippine Strongman", wrote: "He has alienated many with outrageous comments and irrational behavior, yet remains wildly popular. His gangland approach to combating crime and drugs has largely endeared him to Filipinos who have suffered high rates of violent crime and who see him as a refreshing change from the sophisticated but out-of-touch elite who have ruled this country for most of the last three decades."

Filipinos are fed-up with two-faced tra-pos (traditional politicians) who may be sophisticated or statesman-like and charming but may likely won't speak what is truly in their mind. Most Filipinos probably just want a strong and decisive leader. Nothing is wrong with a benevolent strongman or dictator, Lee Kuan Yew was accused of being such during his 30-years as Singapore leader. Look at Singapore now.

Credit: Article excerpts from The New York Times March 2017 article.

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INTERNATIONAL PEOPLE'S COURT: A KANGAROO COURT FOR SHAM VERDICTS

The so-called International People's Court (IPT) came out with a verdict that Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is guilty of various crimes. IPT can come out with other absurb verdicts as much as it wants, it means nothing in actual jurisprudence.

IPT has no teeth and is powerless because major nations like the U.S., Russia, China, Israel and other world powers do not recognize its so-called rulings or verdicts. And that's the simple truth. It is no different from the so-called "people's court" held during political rallies by militants and leftists in the Philippines.

IPT is just a publicity tool used out of desperation by the international leftist movement and by political adversaries of governments around the world. A forum for a chance at their 15-minutes of fame or infamy. Go check on the backgrounds of those who comprise this so-called court and those who go to it - most if not all are left-leaning activists from various parts of the globe. Desperate attempt at media mileage is all it is worth.

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HIGHLY POLITICIZED ICC: MAJOR NATIONS DON’T RECOGNIZE ITS AUTHORITY

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a highly-politicized body that is not recognized as a judicial authority by major nations like the U.S., China, Russia, Israel and many others. Just today, the U.S. threatened the ICC with sanctions if its judges or prosecutors make a move against the U.S., Israel or any of its allies (https://ph.yahoo.com/…/us-threatens-arrest-icc-judges-probe…). The fact is, the ICC prosecutors and judges can only go after weak and vulnerable nations in its supposed “pursuit of justice” for human rights abuse victims. If you’re powerful enough, the ICC can’t go after you.

And just like in the United Nations (UN), politics plays a major part of how it operates. Israel had refused to be a party to the ICC because it has concerns that political pressure on the Court would lead it to reinterpret international law or to "invent new crimes".

The Philippines should leave the ICC, it is a waste of taxpayers’ money. The Philippines is better off using the cash to strengthen our Armed Forces. Better yet, the ICC should disband. The ICC has become a tool for harassment by political adversaries from weak and vulnerable nations.

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PEOPLE POWER ONLY HAPPENS EVERY 15-YEARS: 1986, 2001 and 2016

Yes, 2016. People Power by the ballot happened on that fateful year. Political experts and veteran politicians didn’t see it coming and neither did most of the over 16-million Filipinos who overwhelmingly voted to catapult an unassuming Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte to the highest government position of the land. Davao City’s loss was the nation’s gain.

Scholars will probably be studying what happened for a long time. A humble Pres. Duterte dismisses it as an act of fate because he himself didn’t aspire for it or plan for it like most of his rivals did, but for many Filipinos – it was a deliverance from the decades of traditional politics that hound our unsteady system of government.

Populism may be a recent global phenomenon but Pres. Duterte's ascension to the top post apparently offended the “finer” sensibilities of some elitist-wannabes and the traditional oligarchy. After all, they didn’t go through the practice of good manners and etiquette just to end up having a leader who exhibits un-“statesman-like” demeanor through his foul mouth and gutter humor.

The fact is, we’ve never had a no-nonsense, hip-shooting leader and self-confessed socialist like Rodrigo Duterte and sadly we may never have one again. Most Davaoeños are proud of him and so are the over 16-million Filipino voters here and abroad.

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THESE GALLANT MEN AND WOMEN DESERVED THEIR HOLY LAND TRIP AND MUCH, MUCH MORE

A grateful nation salutes our valiant men and women of the Armed Forces who have sacrificed so much and ask for so little. These gallant men and women deserved their Holy Land trip and much, much more. Thank you, Pres. Duterte, for your compassion and appreciation for them.

Watch Asec. Mocha Uson’s video coverage of wounded-in-action (disabled) AFP personnel who joined Pres. Duterte’s state visits to Israel and Jordan: https://www.facebook.com/Mochablogger/videos/885053348366931/?t=13

No other Philippine Commander-in-Chief has done for our uniformed men and women what Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte has done for them. We’ve neglected them so much for so long after the Marcos years that it is about time that we show them compassion and appreciation for the sacrifices they make. They deserve so much more.

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ISRAEL TRIP: A GRATEFUL NATION KNOWS HOW TO THANK ITS MEN IN UNIFORM

A grateful nation owes these men-in-uniform much more. PRRD is right to bring them along. This is no gov't junket wherein an official has been in and out of the country 10 or so times in a year coz these men are retiring after serving our country well.

Pres. Duterte knows how to show his gratitude for men-in-uniform who has served their country with honor and patriotism. I’d like to think that this is part of his style for successfully managing Davao City. Uniformed men and women who served with honor and dedication are rewarded with a meager show of appreciation for their years of service. This is how it should be done.

Critics who know no better than to find fault and earn media mileage say that it is a junket that PRRD is supposedly against – and they’re conveniently omitting the fact that PRRD fired officials who were in and out of the country numerous occasions. These uniformed personnel are retiring after a distinguished career – where is the comparison?

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METRO MANILA LGUs SHOULD PAY MMDA FOR DOING LGUs’ JOB

True, it is unrealistic to expect LGUs to keep their sidewalks and streets clear of obstruction less they ignore the risk of losing votes come next election. To a lot of their constituents, doing this may be like “biting the hand that feeds you”. That is why MMDA should expand their street and sidewalk clearing operations task force to cover more ground and operate with more frequency. And since this is the LGUs’ job that they’re doing for them – the LGUs should pay for the costs equitably.

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BIRDS OF A FEATHER: SHOW OF BRAZEN ARROGANCE

Show of brazen arrogance by a motorist (claim to 15-minutes of infamy dubbed "5-minute girl"). She deserves more than just a ticket for hitting the MMDA enforcer's motorbike and refusing to produce her license for a very long time. I'm so disappointed that Col. Nebrija let her and her husband get away with just a ticket. Shameless couple. Gadget Addict has video that her van was completely blocking the pedestrian way and she deserved a ticket - with or without the 5-mins. To this alleged prosecutor, the 5-mins. grace period is for the towing, NOT for the obstructing violation ticket. Shame on you! Col. Bong Nebrija should've reminded her of that. She deserved that ticket the very moment MMDA got there! I remember Pres. Duterte said that once he told a Davao judge to move his illegally-parked vehicle OR ELSE. The message was - you can't do anything you want just coz you're a gov't official. The message got through to this judge and every gov't officer after that incident. I hope that PRRD teaches this couple a lesson they'll understand so that others will get the message, too.

Even with a public apology, MMDA should pursue all cases against her. Her apology should be no less than a guilty plea for each case. She should face the consequences of her shameless behavior in order to serve as an example that you can't act like that to MMDA enforcers and policemen and get away with it via an apology. UPDATE: Col. Nebrija suspects that the woman wasn't carrying her license with her that's why she couldn't produce it (and hence the staged drama to buy some time for her equally arrogant husband to get it there). The more reason Col. Nebrija should've had it towed immediately after so much time had gone by. I've watched all of GA's videos on MMDA Spec Ops and they've done it before - towed a car with the driver in it coz he refused to show his license and refused to get off the car. Why? He didn't have his license with him and he had a shotgun underneath his seat.

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DESTINED TO BE AN AVENGING ANGEL?

The “Avenging Angel" is seen by David to stand "between the earth and the heaven, with a drawn sword in his hand stretched out against Israel's enemies.” There has never been, and there will never be, another president like Rodrigo Duterte. Nobody had, or will ever have, the courage to go against criminals, big business interests and the oligarchy – like Duterte has. The 1% elite, backed by the upper middle class who dream of membership into the club, have always had their way.

Let’s hope that the institutions and policies that he’ll establish during his term will be carried on by someone or by a party who believes the same ideals that he sought to promote.

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SEN. DICK GORDON TO LASCAÑAS: FOOL ME ONCE, SHAME ON YOU; FOOL ME TWICE, SHAME ON ME!

It was apt that Sen. Richard Gordon refused to re-open the Senate inquiry on alleged Extrajudicial Killings (EJKs) on account of a witness’ “recantation” – because SPO2 Arthur Lascañas has shown that he has 0% credibility. His 180-deg. turn from his previous testimony, after being under the wings of the Catholic church - known staunch critics of Pres. Duterte’s war on drugs, casts shadow on his motivations.

Sen. Ping Lacson may not have a choice if the committee on peace and order that he chairs opens an inquiry on the matter. Liberal Party senators will likely see to that. It’s all about media mileage, although it is highly doubtful that they can muster the same hype that Congressman Umali’s committee hearings on the NBP drug trade and that Sen. Gordon’s committee hearings got on the so-called EJKs. Sen. Gordon’s committee findings after the hearings was “dead-on” (no pun intended) – that there was no gov’t-sponsored systematic liquidation of drug-trade personalities like Sens. Trillanes and De Lima would like us to believe. It’s simply a publicity stunt by both (limelight-hugging) public figures and Liberal Party (LP) agents.

Thanks to Sen. JV Ejercito’s probing in today’s Senate hearing on peace and order, SPO2 Lascañas admitted that after his retirement, he attempted to peddle “influence” in order to further or to establish businesses with friends in Davao and nationwide – all four attempts resulted to being turned down by various gov’t officials. This is clear enough motive that Lascañas wanted to get back at his former boss. Sen. Ping Lacson quickly insinuated that Lascañas may have felt bitter for his misfortunes.

If there’s a proliferation of “fake news” then Sen. Trillanes may be one of the biggest contributors, veiling them as “exposés” but may actually be just instruments of his “psy-ops” designed to create as much trouble as possible for his political foes. This may be how he views them that’s why he feels shameless. It is not surprising that even legitimate media is picking up the hype – controversy makes news more interesting. Unfortunately, controversial news means better viewership. Nothing like it sells better. That is why media personalities resorts to sprinkling gasoline on fire just so that they can keep it burning and people interested.

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DENR SEC. GINA LOPEZ’S LEGACY: A TRUE-BLUE CRUSADE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND FOR OUR FUTURE

Sec. Gina Lopez of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, a renowned crusader herself even before being tapped by Pres. Duterte to head the agency, has taken “baby steps” to help ensure that local mining operations are kept in check by closing down or suspending operations of several big mining outfits after an initial audit. Now the more difficult work begins – ensuring that these mining firms comply to strict environmental laws and high-end mining operational standards before they can even resume operations. If they comply and resume operation, strict monitoring should be in place to ensure that they remain compliant and if they don’t – suspend them again or close them permanently. For areas that are at risk of unrecoverable deterioration due to further mining, selective permanent mining ban should be implemented.

Big mining firms have already stepped up their publicity and legal campaign (not surprisingly) against Sec. Gina Lopez’s laudable actions, even using mine workers and their families to do their bidding. What the majority of Filipinos are beginning to realize though, is that while it is unfortunate that these families may lose their livelihoods – they’re just pawns being used by business goliaths who continue to rape and pillage our environment to feed their insatiable greed. Gov’t should set into motion alternative livelihood projects for these affected communities in order to cushion the unavoidable impact.

The news over the weekend of an environment activist, Atty. Mia Manuelita Mascarinas-Green, being killed is alarming. The killing is the 12th since Pres. Duterte took office 7 months ago, on top of another 100 murders of environmental activists 15 years before that. Justice for such crimes must be swift and unforgiving. Like in the case of Dr. Gerry Ortega, the masterminds must be brought to justice. This type of terrorism against environmental heroes should never be allowed to prosper.

During his first SONA Pres. Duterte described Sec. Gina Lopez as a crusader (like him) and that is how he knew that she was right for the job as DENR head. And that is why she should be able to count on the President’s all-out support. For the first time in Philippine history, we may have someone who’s willing to butt heads with mining’s errant players and make a mark on the preservation of our country’s (once very) rich but fast-eroding natural resources by taking steps to help ensure compliance to strict environmental standards.