Not yet time to jump ship

“Honor is not the exclusive property of any political party."

--Herbert Hoover

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

WHEN the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos Sr. fell in February 1986, many Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) stalwarts jumped ship and were "rescued" by the late former Vice President Salvador “Doy” Laurel's United Nationalist Democratic Organization (UNIDO).

Some opted to stay behind the "defrocked" party particularly the "Marcos loyalists" hoping for the strongman's political resurrection that fizzled out with his death in 1989.

When Mrs. Corazon “Cory” Aquino took over and became estranged with Laurel, many of them abandoned UNIDO and embraced PDP-Laban, Tita Cory's official party until 2009.

When the late Fidel V. Ramos or FVR reigned supreme in 1992, these unprincipled minions hastily formed a beeline to the new ruling Lakas-NUCD party.

 

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Then came Joseph “Erap” Estrada. From KBL, UNIDO, and PDP-Laban, these political grutnols and druggles "fled" like refugees to Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP).

Everyone knew what happened next when Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo or Ate Gloria took over: the balimbings, bereft of principle, were again in mad scramble to take oath this time as KAMPI members.

When the late Benigno Aquino III or P-Noy became president, the political pendulum abruptly tilted to the Liberal Party (LP)'s favor in a mass exodus that could dwarf the myth of Israel.

Under the new dispensation after P-Noy, some LP members did not only forsake the party that helped enrich many of them through "pork barrel", they also burned their bridges swearing allegiance not only to former President Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte's PDP-Laban, but to many of the hard-hitting former mayor of Davao City's programs that didn't sit well with their previous political party.

The mass exodus from LP to PDP-Laban appeared to be "only the beginning."

Duterte's political party was expected to make a major sweep of the remnants of LP and other coalition parties when his pet program, federalism, took the center stage.

What did the changing of political bandwagon from one disintegrating political party to another ruling party indicate?

 

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It's neither a sign of renaissance nor headway. It's pure and simple opportunism.

Philippine politicians fight for survival and can't afford to stay away from the political party of those in power like Mr. Duterte.

Many of these politicians have pending graft and corruption cases in courts. Some of them were engaged in protection racket.

Illegal loggers, smugglers, gambling and drug lords financed some of these politicians during elections.

If the sitting president, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will lower the boom against them, they will find their way to the doldrums like tottering fools.

If they were "outside the kulambo", so to speak, when the new administration beckoned, there were strong chances their slumbering cases would be expedited; and they might end up snoring in the calaboose.

We will wait when Mr. Marcos Jr. or BBM makes an exit from the Malacanang in 2028 and another president will occupy the presidency.

We will surely see the same political merry-go-round similar to what we are seeing today.

That's the reality of politics--only in the Philippines.

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

 

Still for man and woman only

“Gay marriage is absolutely something that I am in full support of and a big advocate of, and I think it's an important issue, but there's a reason that I don't talk about politics and why I'll never be in politics. I am not the person to ever do that.”

—Jamie-Lynn Sigler

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

IT was the late Pope Francis who first stunned the Catholic world when he made a tweak to the Vatican policy concerning same-sex couples before the end of 2023.

Catholic priests anywhere in the world can now bless those couples if they request it. However, the Church, now under Pope Leo XIV, stressed it is not changing its views on marriage and that it believes it is between one man and one woman.

The Rev. James Martin, a scholar, editor at large for the Jesuit magazine "America" and ABC News contributor, had spoken with "Start Here" to discuss the new policy and how it changes the Catholic church's longtime stance against recognizing LGBTQ unions.

START HERE: What was this decision from the Vatican?

THE REV. JAMES MARTIN: It was a decision to allow priests and deacons and bishops to bless same-sex couples in certain situations. You couldn't make it seem like a marriage, of course, you couldn't kind of have it as a kind of liturgical rite.

But people who are in same-sex unions who have been married, legally, let's say they say, 'Come to the park and do a little blessing for us outside,' or, 'Come to our house in the backyard,' that's a big deal.

And look, I could not do that publicly before. I was not permitted to do that, and now I am. So it's a big shift. It's a big shift in the way the Church looks at same-sex couples.

START HERE: I'm curious what this means for the future of same-sex marriage in the Catholic church, because you just said like, obviously this wouldn't apply to marriage. But does this open a pathway to same-sex marriage among Catholics? Is that now part of the conversation?

 

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MARTIN: Oh, meaning that the church says that a marriage is still for a man and a woman? So for people to be married in a church, or in a Catholic ceremony, you have to be a man and a woman. So that has not changed.

But before, you couldn't even bless same-sex couples. As I said, I would have a hard time showing up in a collar and, you know, at someone's garden party or barbecue or something even an informal blessing, that was a no-no.

So again, it's a big step forward.

And I've been hearing from LGBTQ Catholics all day yesterday and they were very excited. So the proof's in the pudding. They're very excited and really gratified by this, an early Christmas present for them.

START HERE: You're an American priest. Often when we have these conversations, some of the most critical voices of this Pope have been American bishops who think Pope Francis is too progressive, too out of line. Like this bishop- Joseph Strickland in Texas, on a podcast earlier this year called "Pints with Aquinas"...very openly critical of Francis before this guy was later forced out of the church.

JOESPH STRICKLAND, "PINTS WITH AQUINAS:" Living out the sexual relationship, it's a very narrow path. It's sort of the eye of the needle. It's for a man and a woman, only. Committed for life, open to children."

START HERE: So you've got this guy saying this pope is taking us down the wrong path. What is the response from American bishops? And will they just tell their priests, "You're not allowed to do this?"

 

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MARTIN: I think it changes the conversation more around same-sex couples, and what does it mean. Before, just two years ago, when this question was posed to the Vatican, the response was, believe it or not, 'God cannot and does not bless sin.' So no, you may do this not at all, ever.

But in a declaration from the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, which is the kind of theological watchdog group, they set out a whole theology of what blessing was and said why we can do that.

And interestingly, the declaration did not say this depends on the local bishops' conferences. It said that it's up to the priests and ministers. There was a pretty muted response from the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, but really it opens the door for same-sex couples to go to their local priest and say, 'Would you mind coming by my house with my family and doing a blessing?' And now you can do it.

START HERE: Huh, so I mean, will you be planning on doing these blessings if someone asks you to bless their same-sex union, or would you take that on?

MARTIN: Absolutely. I mean, I've been waiting to do this for years. I couldn't do it and I; I think it's important to do these things with permission and not kind of step out of bounds too much, but the next couple that asks me, I'm happy to do it.

 

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SHE'S NOT IMPRESSED. Tough guys don't wow women. A study in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology shows that women find a man more appealing if he walks away from a jerk instead of responding aggressively.

BODY WEIGHT AND SEXUAL SATISFACTION. In a study of over 400 undergraduates, researchers at Florida Atlantic University found strong correlations among the students' levels of sexual satisfaction, self-consciousness about their bodies, and satisfaction with their bodies. Muscular guys were the most sexually satisfied; body weight was key for women.

O CANADA. International cooperation has come to a grocer near us: Thanks to the new agreement between the USDA and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, products certified organic in Canada can be sold in the U.S. without undergoing additional review--and vice versa. So, when we see foods bearing Canada's organic logo, we can trust that they met U.S. standards.

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

Wrong choice of word

“Now that I have called you on your false accusation, you are using additional smear tactics.”

—George Soros

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

IF a taxpayer will lodge a formal complaint in a competent court against any public official for suspected graft and corruption, or a similar case concerning “misuse” of public funds, it can’t be a case of “harassment.”

This was the term used by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-6 Regional Director Sanny Boy Oropel in reaction to a recent complaint filed by the Crimes and Corruption Watch International (CCWI), a watchdog group, against him and other officials of the agency before the Office of the Ombudsman.

We think it’s a wrong choice of word.

As “public servants,” Oropel, et al should instead welcome CCWI’s complaint in the spirit of fairness, transparency and accountability.

Instead of invoking the term “harassment”, Oropel, et al should have said, “We welcome the complaint because this will be our opportunity to air our side in the proper forum and to belie the accusation against us.”

“Instead of attacking us further in the media, it is best that a formal case is filed against us so that truth will come out and we can clear our names.”

 

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Filing a complaint against erring public officials, in fact, should be encouraged and backed by the public, including government employees in the concerned agencies.

If the genesis of any formal complaint emanated from abuse or squandering of public funds, it’s healthy for DPWH in particular, and for openness or democracy in general.

Public officials involved in any nefarious transaction may be held accountable if found guilty in a formal complaint filed in court.

Any taxpayer—a graft watch or media watchdog for that matter—has nothing to gain—or may be acting against the best interest of public, by employing “harassment” versus public officials suspected of misappropriating taxpayers' money.

There can be no direct personal conflict between the accused and the accuser or accusers that would result in harassment or intimidation on the part of the complainant in any graft and corruption case.

Everything boils down to check and balance—to transparency and accountability, we repeat.

Under the principle of “a public office is a public trust,” there can be no personal attack against any party other than safeguarding of public coffer.

Harassment is defined as an offensive conduct that may include, but is not limited to, offensive jokes, slurs, epithets or name calling, physical assaults or threats, intimidation, ridicule or mockery, insults or put-downs, offensive objects or pictures, and interference with work performance.

None of these “personal attacks” may have been present when the CCWI hauled the DPHW-6 execs in court. Let the justice system run its course.

 

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The fat woman who enraged many Ilonggos for saying nasty words online against a popular coffeeshop in Iloilo should be awarded with special favors by the owners of the “offended” coffee establishment.

Because of the furor whipped up by the fat woman’s controversial diatribes, the sales, or the customers of the coffee shop, are expected to shoot up.

According to a new study from Stanford Graduate School of Business, in some cases negative publicity can increase sales when a product or company is relatively unknown, simply because it stimulates product awareness.

“Most companies are concerned with one of two problems,” says Alan Sorensen, associate professor of economics and strategic management at the business school and one of the authors of the study.

“Either they’re trying to figure out how to get the public to think their product is a good one, or they’re just trying to get people to know about their product. In some markets, where there are lots of competing products, they’re more preoccupied with the latter. In that case, any publicity, positive or negative, turns out to be valuable.”

 

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 ‘A MAJOR ISSUE.’ A sperm donor with a rare genetic mutation fathered 67 children, and now 10 of them have been diagnosed with cancer, according to a CNN report. Advocates say there’s a need for greater regulation and a limit on the number of births allowed from a single donor.

 YOU SNOOZ, YOU LOSE? When jolted awake by a blaring alarm clock, CNN says it’s tempting to reach for the snooze button. “Just five more minutes” is practically a morning mantra. But you could be silently sabotaging your shut-eye.  

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Iloilo City’s 3 princesses and a poker player

“I was once like you are now and I know that it's not easy; To be calm when you've found something going on; But take your time, think a lot; Think of everything you've got; For you will still be here tomorrow but your dreams may not.”

—Cat Stevens in a song, “Father and Son”

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

IT’S a misnomer to call outgoing Iloilo City Mayor Geronimo “Jerry” Treñas’ non-participation in the recently held May 12, 2025 election as “a retirement in politics.” 

No, he “won’t” retire; no, he “can’t” retire.

In the next three years, Treñas is expected to politically baby-sit neophyte Mayor-elect Raisa Maria Lourdes Sarabia Treñas-Chu or Mayor Treñas-Chu, 39.

What kind of a father is Treñas if after bringing her daughter to the pedestal, he’ll frolic in the autumn mist while she’s tasked holding the heavens on her shoulders like Atlas Shrugged? 

“Retire” as a candidate he did, but he will have to be a “Daddy Mayor” for the “Daughter Mayor” who will chart the affairs of the Iloilo City government sans any background as chief local executive until 2028.

Daddy Mayor has to stay in the front seat while Daughter Mayor drives the six-wheeler truck in the next three years.

“Walang iwanan, Daddy Mayor. I didn’t wish to be catapulted into the big league so that you will just leave me here alone to go home, eat popcorn, and sleep.”

 

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All eyes and ears will be on Mayor Treñas-Chu starting Day One. While party mates, friends, classmates and relatives will wish her the best of luck and success, jealous characters and political enemies will wait to see her slip in the banana peel.

Daddy Mayor can’t afford to hand over ammunition to critics. Three princesses are now lording over the metro politics: Daughter Mayor, reelected lone district Rep. Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda, and her younger sister Vice Mayor-elect Love-Love Baronda.

One false move or fatal mistake on the part of the current City Hall powers that be and a stroke of fate, any of the two Baronda political princesses can take over the helm and oust Daughter Mayor in 2028.

With three energetic princesses dominating the metropolis’ political landscape in the next three years, Daddy Mayor will have to scrap any vacation plans and play a political poker to shield Daughter Mayor and ensure her survival and success.

The game plan includes taking calculated risks and concealing intentions during the Daughter Mayor’s incumbency. The critical stage is the first 100 days.

The three political princesses are expected to collaborate on certain matters concerning governance and implementation of projects, policies, and ordinances.

 

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Daddy Mayor may employ aggressive tactics for Daughter Mayor, the most vulnerable of the three political princesses, to put pressure on potential “opponents,” and force them to make difficult decisions or potentially fold, akin to a poker player betting aggressively to push opponents off a pot.

Extended political battles, like long poker tournaments, require patience, endurance, and the ability to withstand pressure and setbacks. Three years are too short to relax and lower the guards down.

Instead of watching from behind the scenes or speeding off after bringing the daughter to the bus station, Daddy Mayor will have to start analyzing the political landscape, identifying weaknesses in their opponents' positions or vulnerabilities in their support, and capitalizing on those weaknesses.

Instead of openly antagonizing the two sister political princesses, Daddy Mayor must act like a skillful poker player, understand the art of negotiation, knowing when to hold firm, when to compromise, and when to make deals to achieve their political objectives and ensure that Daughter Mayor remains in the City Hall beyond 2028.

 

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There were stories about the Trojan Horse of Arrogance and the Cat and the Curiosity in UpliftWithQuotes.

First a Trojan Horse made of arrogance, rolled into the city gates of your plans. You think you’ve won the war, but surprise! Your opponent jumps out, armed with unforeseen tactics. Underestimation is like assuming a QR code is just a square of random shapes—until you scan it, and it leads you to a world of unexpected wonders.

Also, remember the cat, curiosity, and that proverbial bag? Underestimating your opponent is like thinking your cat won’t knock over the vase just because it’s done so a hundred times before. Surprise, surprise! The vase lies shattered, and your opponent is already planning their next move.

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