I happen to pass by outside Epstein’s mansion, not files

“I would have preferred someone else to have been in charge of rescuing this story, but once again life has taught me that my role is to be a witness, not the leading actor.”

―Carlos Ruiz Zafón, The Midnight Palace

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

NOW that the United States House Oversight Committee has confirmed receiving more than 95,000 photos from the Jeffrey Epstein estate, I recalled the day when authorities swooped down on the late sex trafficker’s mansion in Manhattan one afternoon six years ago.

The committee, by the way, announced it has reviewed about 25,000 of those images so far, and have released 19 of them. They included images of President Ronald Trump, former President Bill Clinton and former Prince Andrew of U.K.

There were reports Bill Gates was there, as well.

Before it was sold in March 2021 for $51 million, with the proceeds going toward a restitution fund for victims of sex trafficking, I used to pass by the late Epstein’s mansion in the Upper East Side.

When the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and New York Police District (NYPD) first raided the mansion at past five o’clock in the afternoon on July 6, 2019, I was walking on my way to visit a Jewish client at Lennox Hill Radiology on East 77th Street from East 67th Street.

 

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Epstein’s mansion, a townhouse was at 9 East 71st Street, a stone-throw away from where I was walking. Authorities arrived hours after arresting Epstein at Teterboro Airport.

Using a crowbar, agents forcibly entered and once inside, used a saw to open a safe. They conducted a follow-up raid on July 7 and found:

-An "extraordinary volume" of photographs of nude or partially nude young women and girls.

-Piles of US currency and loose diamonds.

-Dozens of CDs and computer hard drives.

-An expired passport with Epstein's picture but a fake name.

Authorities used the seized items as evidence in the subsequent sex trafficking case against the millionaire, and later in the trial of his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

 

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Epstein is seen with multiple high-profile figures, none of whom have yet commented, in the first batch of photos released on December 12 by lawmakers.

Many of them have previously denied any wrongdoing in relation to the dead Epstein.

Mr. Trump reportedly appeared in three of the images released on December 12. One image showed him standing next to a woman whose face has been redacted.

Another showed the US president standing next to Epstein while talking to model Ingrid Seynhaeve at a 1997 Victoria's Secret party in New York – an image that was already publicly available.

A third photo showed Mr. Trump smiling with several women, whose faces have also been redacted, flanked on either side of him.

An additional photo showed an illustrated likeness of the president on red packets next to a sign that reads: "Trump Condom".

 

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WE will know this week if the Marcos Jr. administration was really sincere when it announced the indictment and arrest of some VIPs that include congressmen and senators linked to the flood control project anomalies before Christmas Day.

Christmas Day in the Christian world is December 25, a Thursday. We will remember; we won’t forget. We maintain a scorecard.

So far, only the mosquitoes, ants, and worms have landed in jail; and they’re all DPWH bigwigs in nearby regions. 

No undersecretary. Mo mayor. No congressman. No senator. No governor. No more?

We will see.

 

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TOO MUCH TEXTING. In case we didn't get the message, texting is the new talking. In fact, the average teen sends and receives about 8,900 texts per month, according to the Nielsen Company. That's almost 300 messages a day. Some psychologists worry that over-texting may cause anxiety and sleep problems.

WHY WOMEN CRY MORE THAN MEN: According to Frey's research, girls don't start out as bawling champs--boy and girl babies cry equivalent amounts--but by the first or second grade, boys are beginning to cry less, probably in response to social pressure. Being called a crybaby is more likely to happen to a boy.

WHY WE CRY: Animals, like humans, may cry in pain, but we're apparently the only creatures who shed emotional tears--probably because they give us an evolutionary advantage, scientists say. They're an unmistakable SOS, asking the people around us to provide comfort and assistance. (Source: goodhealth)

WHAT WOULD WE DO? It's late afternoon, and we need a pick-me up. Is it safe to microwave the cold coffee that's been sitting in the pot since we grabbed a cup at breakfast? YES or NO?

(The author, who is now based New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)

 

Disgraceful!

“It is better to die than to preserve this life by incurring disgrace. The loss of life causes but a moment's grief, but disgrace brings grief every day of one's life.”

—Chanakya

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

THERE is no other way to describe it.

Such was the mortal sin that may have committed by the12 barangay officials and two city hall employees who allegedly skimmed by as much as 80 percent the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) to several beneficiaries in Iloilo City.

If the allegations were true, this act is condemnable and unpardonable especially if the victims are poor or those in dire straits.

In our culture, the crime is doubled if perpetrators victimize the downtrodden who can’t defend themselves. It becomes repugnant if the offenders are in power.

It’s not only adding insult to their injury, it’s also tantamount to kicking them while down on all four.

No Iloilo City political patron in his right mind will come out to defend the rascals who did it to the beneficiaries even if the perpetrators can produce more votes for the political patron.

 

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Now that they have been charged by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) before the Office of the Ombudsman over the alleged AICS deduction of cash assistance, there is a slim chance they won’t be suspended, dismissed, and even jailed if a criminal case will be added in the cases filed against them.

Those charged were Jobert Lim (City Hall personnel), Janicol Dizon (City Hall personnel), Gina Elauria-Brgy. (Captain of Taytay Zone II), Jingjing Pineda (Brgy. Kagawad of Taytay Zone II), Amadeo Sultan (Brgy. Captain of Simon Ledesma, Jaro), John Doe (Brgy. Kagawad of Simon Ledesma, Jaro), John Doe (Brgy. Treasurer of Simon Ledesma, Jaro), Visamin Canal (Brgy. Captain of Quezon), John Doe (Brgy. Kagawad in Quezon, Arevalo).

Also named in the suit were Remedio Bedia (Brgy. Captain of Lanit), Kagawad Huntado (Lanit), Kagawad Gonzales (Lanit), Rizaline Delmo (Brgy. Captain of Quintin Salas), and Victoria Rowel (Brgy. Kagawad in Quintin Salas).

The scandal has been repeatedly reported in the national media these past days, thus it is now difficult for the alleged AICS skimmers to wiggle out from the mess they have created especially if the DSWD is able to present voluminous of documents or pieces of evidence that would nail them.

 

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Damayan Migrant Workers in New York honored and stood with with migrant workers, including Filipino workers, and reaffirm their rights and dignity during the International Human Rights Day December 10.

The day marked the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.

The UDHR outlines the fundamental rights to which every human is entitled simply by being human. Yet today, millions of people still lack access to these rights, and the promise remains unfulfilled for many migrant workers.

Damayan Migrant Workers said Filipino migrant workers are forced to migrate from the Philippines due to poverty and unemployment to pursue better economic opportunities.

It added that in the United States, they work across sectors, caregivers, nannies and housekeepers, restaurant and bodega workers, often performing essential work that support families and the US economy.

Despite their contributions, their rights are violated, their labor is exploited, and many are subjected to labor trafficking and modern-day slavery, added the Damayan Migrant Workers.

“On Human Rights Day, we affirm what should never be negotiable: migrant workers deserve dignity, respect, and full protection of their rights. Their humanity should not depend on their immigration status or country of origin,” it announced in an email.

“Damayan continues to advocate for fair wages, safe working conditions, and the right to live without fear today and every day. Join us in standing with our vulnerable kababayans and ensuring they live with the dignity and respect they deserve.”

(The author, who is now based New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)

 

ICI, ICC, oh I see

“Mix a little foolishness with your serious plans. It is lovely to be silly at the right moment.”

—Horace

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

THERE seems to be a smorgasbord of hot and controversial items in the Philippines these past weeks that some people are already getting confused if not provoked to think critically and chaotically.

While the nation is on tenterhooks for the promised historical arrest and jailing of so-called political VIPs linked in the flood control project kickbacks “before or during Christmas day,” news kept buzzing also about the “possible” arrest soon of suspected mass murderer Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and fugitives Harry Roque and Zaldy Co.

People’s attention has been ludicrously swinging like a pendulum from the International Criminal Court (ICC) to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) vice versa hoping to catch up with some vivacious developments on these major issues based on the timeline.

Will it be Harry or Zaldy first? Will Bato go first? Will Bong Revilla, Chiz Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, et al grab the headlines?

This could probably be the reason why no less than the president himself who has been in full throttle announcing the updates on these cases, which was a major twist given his deafening silence before Zaldy Co launched his coup de grace that went pfft two weeks ago.

 

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No worries yet. Filipinos have already given much leverage to the Marcos Jr. administration to do its homework, and they’re bent to extend that privilege unconditionally.

They’ve tolerated the president and his minions while they were saying the things they needed to say however superfluous they may be sometimes, if they will eventually see and feel the results.

All of a sudden, the cases of missing sabunggero entered the picture when the Department of Justice (DoJ) announced the filing of criminal raps against Atong Ang and several other cops, further widening the people’s curiosity and excitement on who will fall first or which case is being given utmost priority by authorities.

In the next two weeks, we expect the Marcos Jr. administration to step on the gas in order to deliver its promise to neutralize and collect some of the initial names as major players in the flood control project shambles.

It is aware that failure to do so will further erode the people’s trust and confidence in government; President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. himself will lose credibility if no big names land in jail other than erstwhile billionaire contractor Sarah Discaya, who has been this administration’s favorite whipping girl in as far as flood control project scandal is concerned.

 

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I received another email from New York Governor Kathy Hochul which she also sent to other New Yorkers:

Alex, Making New York more affordable is not just a goal. It's a responsibility that I take seriously.

I hear from families every day who are feeling the pressure of higher prices on everything from groceries to gifts for the holidays. As we enter the holiday season, we’re continuing our work to make life more affordable for millions of New Yorkers.

When I said we’d put more money back in your pockets, I meant it. In the last month, we finished sending out Inflation Refund checks of up to $400 to 8.2 million New Yorkers — just one part of our work to make life more affordable for all New Yorkers.

Making sure no New Yorker is left in the cold. When the federal government refused to release heating assistance funds, we took action to protect New Yorkers’ utility bill discounts and help eligible New Yorkers sign up for state heating assistance. After weeks of our demands, the federal government finally restored our funding.

Putting money in parents’ pockets. I want to make it easier for working parents to cover all the costs that come with raising a family. I joined moms and dads to talk about our expanded Child Tax Credit taking effect in January, which gives parents up to $1,000 per child to help make life a little easier.

Kicking retail theft to the curb. We’ve taken bold action to protect New York businesses from retail theft. I was proud to report that these investments, paired with the hard work of State Police and local law enforcement, are continuing to help drive down retail theft in our communities. There’s more work to do, but this is real progress.

Money back in your pockets, communities where you feel safe, and more opportunities for you to get ahead. That’s what I’m going to continue fighting for every single day.

Because every investment we make is about fighting for New York families — always. Ever Upward, Gov. Kathy Hochul

(The author, who is now based New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)

 

No money, no honey? No worry dollar is up

“The lack of money is the root of all evil.”

—Mark Twain

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

AT the remittance center inside a Filipino grocery store in Queens Boulevard, New York City December 9 afternoon, I noticed the Philippine peso was once again “below the gutter” vis-à-vis the US dollar: One US dollar was equivalent to 59.23 in Philippine peso via Ria money transfer.

This meant our peso sank once more to a new all-time low on December 9 to join most regional currencies’ decline against the US dollar on cautiousness before the US Federal Reserve’s policy meeting, reportedly with bets on a rate cut by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) also affecting sentiment.

If peso is down going to the Yuletide season, it’s the right time to remit cash to the Philippines for dollar income earners in the United States.

The local unit slid by 28.5 centavos to close at P59.22 versus the greenback from its P58.935 finish on December 5, Bankers Association of the Philippines data showed.

This was reportedly a fresh low for the peso, beating the previous record of P59.17 logged on Nov. 12.

 

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The local currency has reportedly depreciated by P1.375 or 2.32 percent from its P57.845 finish on Dec. 27, 2024 year to date.

Wealth Insights reported that the peso opened Tuesday’s session weaker at P59.08 versus the dollar. Its intraday best was at P59.07, while its worst showing was its closing level of PHP 59.22 against the greenback.

Dollars traded went down to USD 1.097 billion on December 9 from US$1.423 billion on December 5.

The peso dropped along with its regional peers as the dollar was stronger overnight on higher US Treasury yields as markets await the Fed’s policy decision, the first trader said in a Viber message.

 

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Also, the US central bank was set to begin its two-day policy meeting overnight, where it is widely expected to lower borrowing costs by 25 basis points (bps) for a second straight time.

While a cut this week is already priced in, Wealth Insights added that markets are unsure about the Fed’s future policy moves, especially with Chair Jerome H. Powell set to end his term by May next year and with the latest data showing a mixed picture of the state of the US economy.

The dollar was stronger against most Asian currencies amid escalating tensions between China and Japan, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort added in a Viber message.

“The peso weakened anew past the P59 level as market expectations firmed over a potential BSP rate cut this week,” the second trader said in an e-mail.

 

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Alice Guo, Casandra Ong, Zaldy Co, James Ang, Eric Yap, Bong Go, Michael Yang, Peter Lim, Atong Ang.  

Except for Roque and Bato, Chinese-sounding family names have been dominating the news in the Philippines these past weeks.

They hogged headlines because of their alleged involvement in several criminal activities, not because they are role models for our youth to emulate.

Only Filipino-sounding family names Guanzon (Wengweng because of her infamous Gucci and Rolex-highlighted mall performance), Discaya (Sarah because of malversation case for a “ghost” project in Oriental Mindoro), Duterte (Polong because of his plan to visit 17 countries starting December 15 until February 2026) were able to break the ice.

 

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Cold sore treatment: what works for fast relief and healing. That annoying tingling on our lip, followed by a painful bump. Cold sores always seem to pop up at the worst times. 

Maybe we’ve got a big presentation at work or a family photo coming up. Whatever the timing, we want that cold sore gone fast.

More than 3.7 billion people under the age of 50 (or 67 percent of the population) are infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), according to the World Health Organization, so most of us know exactly how frustrating cold sores can be.

But the right cold sore treatment can cut our healing time in half and make the pain much more manageable.

Let's break down what actually works and what doesn't, so we can get back to feeling confident about your smile.

Best cold sore treatment options: prescription vs. over-the-counter: The cold sore treatment that works best for us depends on how quickly we catch the cold sore and how bad your symptoms get.

Prescription cold sore treatments that work.

Antiviral pills are our best bet for stopping cold sores fast.

The most common ones are valacyclovir (Valtrex), acyclovir (Zovirax) and famciclovir (Famvir).

These antivirals stop the virus from spreading. When we start taking them within the first day or two of feeling that tingle, they can:

-Cut healing time by 1-2 days

-Make the pain much less severe

-Help prevent the cold sore from getting as big

Prescription creams like acyclovir cream can also help when we put them right on the cold sore. They're not as powerful as the pills, but they still speed up healing.

 

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Daily prevention medicine might make sense if we get cold sores more than 6 times a year. Taking antiviral medicine every day can stop most outbreaks before they start.

Over-the-counter options.

-Abreva (docosanol) is the only cold sore medicine we can buy without a prescription that's proven to work. It can shorten healing time by about a day if we start using it right when we feel the first tingle.

-Pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen help with the aching and swelling. We can also try numbing gels with benzocaine for quick relief.

-Ice packs work great during the first day or two. Put ice on the cold sore for 10-15 minutes several times a day to reduce swelling and numb the pain.

-Lip balm with sunscreen protects our healing skin. The sun can make cold sores worse and take longer to heal.

(The author, who is now based New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)