What if Rep. Jojo Ang is found innocent?

“A clear and innocent conscience fears nothing.”

—Elizabeth I

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

EVEN if he will be proven innocent, the political career of Iloilo’s Uswag Ilonggo Partylist Rep. James “Jojo” Ang Jr is already over.

No politician—neophyte or veteran—has recovered after being linked to anomalies involving public funds.

Public perception is cruel. The politicians’ good deeds are often buried in the quicksand of history, their infractions—true or not—are permanently inscribed in memory of obloquy and infamy.

Even if Ang and other accused in the multi-billion flood control project mess are presumed innocent until proven otherwise, the stigma of being repeatedly mentioned in the national discourse related to the biggest corruption scandal in Philippine history is enough to destroy an aspiring or seasoned politician.

But what if Ang and some of his co-accused are innocent? If the damage is done, no amount of “not guilty” verdict can compensate or save someone whose reputation has been ripped to ribbons.  

This is the dilemma politicians like Ang, et al are facing.

The only option if found innocent is for them to permanently say goodbye to public office—but not necessarily public service.

Some people have dementia when it comes to remembering past misdeeds.

In private, politicians devastated by false charges of corruption may be able to find the healing formula and rebuild their lives by staying away completely from public consciousness.

 

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IN the first week of December 2025, we expect the Office of the Ombudsman to file the second batch of criminal cases against individuals linked to flood control project anomalies in the Philippines.

We also expect the Sandiganbayan to immediately issue warrants of arrest against the accused similar to what happened in the first batch involving small fries in Oriental Mindoro.

This will commence to satisfy the people baying for prosecution of an estimated 200 politicians and DPWH officials and contractors.

One after the other or more are coming, vowed the government authorities.

In the second batch, we predict that some if not all of the eight members of the House of Representatives mentioned in the report submitted by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to the Office of the Ombudsman November 26

Even if the evidence against some of the eight solons may not be airtight, the cases will have to be filed and those congressmen must be served with warrant of arrest because, as we mentioned earlier, that’s what the people want.

 

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Never mind if many of them may not be guilty beyond reasonable doubt, or the pieces of evidence against them may not really be crystal clear.

Incidentally, the eight solons had been “picked” from among the list politician suspects by virtue of their being contractors or link to construction firms.

But if we have noticed, none of the eight are prominent national political figures, except former Rep. Zaldy Co for the FS Co. Builders Supply.

The seven others are: Rep. Edwin Gardiola — for Newington Builders Inc., Lourel Development Corp. and S-Ang General Construction & Trading Inc.; Rep. James Ang, Jr. — for IBC International Builders Corp. and Allencon Development Corp.; Rep. Jernie Jett Nisay — for JVN Construction and Trading; Rep. Augustina Pancho — for C.M. Pancho Construction Inc.; Rep. Joseph Lara — for JLL Pulsar Construction Corp.; Rep. Francisco Matugas — for Boometrix Development Corp.; and Rep. Noel Rivera — for Tarlac 3-G Construction & Development Corp.

(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)

 

 

We have $100, you have P5,852

“Never spend your money before you have earned it.”

—Thomas Jefferson

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

RIGHT now, if you have P5,852.75, it is equivalent to US$100.

If we intend to send P2,926 to our loved ones in the Philippines, we remit $50 or $60 (the additional $10 is for wire transfer fee).

Yes, the Philippine peso is “weak” once again as we end the year 2025.

Filipinos abroad are expected to send money in the Philippines starting November for the entire Yuletide season in December until New Year 2026.

The reason Philippine peso is weak today is probably due to a combination of political uncertainty stemming from government corruption allegations (notably the flood control project scams), a recent cabinet reshuffle, and expectations of further interest rate cuts by the central bank to support economic growth.

These factors may have negatively impacted investor sentiment, causing foreign investors to pull back from the stock market and putting downward pressure on the currency.

Investigations into alleged graft in DPWH flood infrastructure projects may have led to a broad exit by foreign investors and a decline in business confidence.

 

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A recent shake-up in government leadership, including the Department of Finance, has reportedly created uncertainty about potential new policies and the overall stability of the economic leadership structure.

The central bank may continue to cut interest rates to cushion the economy from the fallout of the corruption scandal, which can make the peso less attractive to investors compared to currencies with higher returns.

Also, expectations of slower growth have weakened investor confidence and contributed to the peso's decline. Trade deficits, interest rate differentials, and other factors also reinforce the peso's weakness.

The combination of political uncertainty and concerns over economic growth may have led to a negative market sentiment, with foreign investors pulling money out of the stock market.

Political risks and instability may have led also to weak confidence, keeping trading volumes subdued.

It is always beneficial to send US dollars to the Philippines when the dollar-to-peso exchange rate is high because the money will be converted into more pesos, which increases the financial assistance received by the family.

A high exchange rate means one US dollar buys a greater number of Philippine pesos, making the remittance more valuable in the Philippines.

 

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When the rate is high, say 1=58 pesos instead of 57, the recipient gets more pesos for each dollar we send. And for those who rely on remittances for daily expenses, this can mean they have more money to spend on needs like food, education, and healthcare. 

We have to consider this: "High rate" for sending dollars means the dollar has a high value relative to the peso. If the peso is strengthening and the rate is lower (e.g.,1=57 pesos), it is less beneficial for the sender.

Exchange rates fluctuate, so it's a good practice to monitor them to time we transfer for the most favorable rate.

Different services have different fees and exchange rate markups. Compare transfer services to find the one that offers the best rate and lowest fees after all charges are factored in.

We always consider the transfer fees and exchange rate costs in advance, as these can significantly impact the final amount received. 

Under the news system, we can send money online through apps or websites, and recipients can receive funds digitally to a mobile wallet or bank account, or via cash pickup locations, often without a bank account.

 

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Digital transfer options can be very fast, with some services offering same-day or even instant transfers once funds are received.

Many online transfer services and fintech apps offer competitive exchange rates and lower fees than traditional banks, allowing more of your money to reach the recipient.

We learned that the Philippine government does not impose taxes on personal money transfers from overseas.

Digital platforms provide security features and allow us to track the status of our transfer online.

Recipients have multiple options for receiving money, including direct bank deposit, cash pickup, and mobile wallet, allowing them to choose what is most convenient for them.

(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)

 

Executive assistants; military junta

“It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend.”

―William Blake

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

THE Filipinos will surely reject any attempt to install a military junta in the Philippines if agitators succeed in yanking out “weak” President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Even if they will be allegedly led by a civilian leader (this is a trap that no sane person should believe), military juntas have been considered to be dangerous in the past and even in present times.

Military juntas systematically dismantle democratic institutions, lead to widespread human rights abuses, spark or intensify armed conflict and civil war, cause significant economic devastation, and result in major humanitarian crises.

Many Filipinos are afraid or adamant to call for Mr. Marcos Jr.’s resignation because the alternative is more dangerous: Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio.

 

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They expressed the same fears when then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was on the verge of being kicked out of Malacanang because of the “Hello Garci” tragedy.

If Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo was gone, there’s no other alternative but to install the second highest elected official in the land.

People feared then Vice President Noli de Castro, who was perceived to be grossly incompetent (it’s good the lunkhead did not insist to replace Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo).

Thus, they rejected any thought of replacing the diminutive lady president even if she was becoming a liability to the country.

If a military junta will take over after Mr. Marcos Jr. has resigned, it’s better to embrace Duterte-Carpio.

Even if she is perceived to be a wacko, at least she’s civilian.

 

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WE aren’t saying here that all executive secretaries or executive assistants of governors, mayors, or all local government chief executives in the Philippines can’t be trusted because of what happened to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

But careful scrutiny and eagle-eye review and examination of what they are doing—or signing (or the paperworks they forward to the offices of the mayors and governors for signature) won’t hurt if only to avoid a repeat of Mr. Marcos Jr.’s predicament (we aren’t saying also with absolute certainty that the president was indeed betrayed by dismissed executive secretary Lucas Bersamin).

Sometimes we fall not because we lose a big battle against our tough adversaries. We fall because we dine, laugh, and sleep with our enemies.

Executive assistants or secretaries are considered as the “alter egos” of presidents, governors, or mayors. They are the chief executives’ “left hands.”

Some of the most delicate and sometimes confidential matters are normally entrusted to the executive assistants or executive secretaries; that’s why they must be “the most trusted” in the circle other than the chief executive’s wife.  

 

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Mr. Marcos Jr. was not the first leader in history to be “betrayed” by an acolyte.

To name only a few, who can forget Julius Caesar, the Roman dictator assassinated in 44 BC by a group of senators, including his friend and protege Marcus Junius Brutus?

What made the betrayal particularly personal and shocking was that Caesar had previously pardoned Brutus after he fought against him in a civil war and promoted him to a position of trust.

Who can forget Jesus Christ, betrayed according to the New Testament, by one of his 12 apostles, Judas Iscariot, who pointed him to the Roman authorities for 30 pieces of silver?

Who can George Washington, betrayed by General Benedict Arnold, a respected officer who eventually became the United States' most infamous traitor, during the American Revolutionary War?

Arnold plotted to surrender the American fort at West Point to the British, motivated by a series of slights and professional disputes with the Continental Congress.

Arnold’s name became synonymous with treason in the U.S. even if the plot was discovered.

 

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Based on what happened to Mr. Marcos Jr., many think it’s too risky and dangerous to trust our subalterns too much. Some signs that we blindly trust our aides are as follows:

1. When we really believe people say what they really believe or will do.

2. When we share our heart talk very easily.

3. Those who act close, we do things for them going out of the way even when it hurts us or causes issues for us.

4. When we believe people around understand us and our circumstances and will never ditch us.

5. When we believe people don’t act out of self interest especially and even when they do, we trust them they won’t harm us or leave us.

Most of us who have blindly trusted people have found that many

1. Take advantage of our trust and create misunderstandings with others.

2. Many act in self-interest and do things that are a betrayal.

3. Exploit the person, emotionally drain them and many times leave them forever.

4. Leave the person once they no longer add value or someone else does better!

(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)

 

 

Boomerang

“Beware of smile, for it is a double-edged sword; it cuts the helmet of tension from other head and backfires the peace to yours.”

―Vikrmn, You By You

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

EVEN before the country’s political cretins, the conspirators and mercenaries could complete their final script to oust President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. these past days their sinister plot did not only nosedive but also boomeranged.

Instead of painting Mr. Marcos Jr. as the baddest guy on planet earth with outlandish accusations he pocketed billions of pesos from Zaldy Co’s criminal enterprise, the president became instant recipient of sympathies and pity even from supporters of his political enemies.

Instead of alienating him from the hoi polloi, the jealous and bitter enemies of Mr. Marcos Jr. succeeded only in making him as the Philippines’ Lorenzo de' Medici, ruler of Florence in late 15th century Renaissance.

Like Mr. Marcos Jr., Lorenzo de' Medici the Magnificent also faced a major conspiracy known as the Pazzi Conspiracy in 1478.

The plot, which involved a rival family and even the Pope, aimed to assassinate Lorenzo and his brother Giuliano during Mass in the Florence Duomo.

Giuliano was killed, but Lorenzo managed to escape with a shoulder wound. The failure of the assassination led to a public outcry that rallied support for the Medici, and the conspirators were captured and executed, solidifying Lorenzo's hold on power.

 

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The grand failure by enemies of the Marcos Jr. administration committed perhaps the biggest blunders by using the disgraced Co so sully the president’s integrity and by allowing a dimwit, the president’s splenetic sister, Imee, to assassinate her brother’s name before a crowd composed of Iglesia Ni Kristo rallysts.

Now, after the smoke has cleared, Mr. Marcos Jr. remains alive and kicking, so to speak. They failed to topple him, and the momentum appears to have reversed in favor of the administration.

Boomerang is a curved flat piece of wood that can be thrown so that it will return to the thrower, traditionally used by Australian Aboriginal people as a hunting weapon.

If used in a conversation, it means the all-out blows uncorked by the president’s enemies from pillar to post backfired and hit them like a thunderbolt.

What happened to Mr. Marcos Jr. also reminded us of Augustus and Gaius Marius.

Augustus, first Roman Emperor, secured his position after years of civil war and potential challenges to his authority, establishing the Pax Romana (Roman Peace).

Gaius Marius was a Roman general and statesman who faced the severe crisis of the Social War (91–88 BC), a major civil war that threatened to overthrow the Roman government. He was a key figure in the Roman Republic's efforts to survive this massive internal conflict.

 

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APPLE has warned this writer that “scammers are getting smarter” exhorting me to “learn how to protect yourself from fraud and make the most of Apple Card's security features.”

If the following “red flags” occur, Apple advised card holders to end the conversation immediately especially if we recognize the following:

— Unsolicited contact about your account. Be cautious of unsolicited calls or text conversations and look out for unusual, poorly worded, or unexpected emails.

— Urgent warnings. Scammers create a false sense of emergency asking you to act immediately or face consequences.

— Gift card requests. An Apple Card Specialist will never ask you to buy gift cards.

— Social media requests. Be careful who you are interacting or sharing personal information with on social media.

— One-time passcode requests. An Apple Card Specialist will never initiate contact to ask for a one-time passcode.

Apple warned on third-party app downloads. “An Apple Card Specialist will never ask you to download third-party apps to your device,” it said.

 

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We can protect yourself in three steps:

—Turning on transaction notifications. When we turn on transaction notifications, we get an alert every time our card is used, so we can catch suspicious activity.

—Going to Apple Card in Wallet, tap the More button More button, then tap Notifications and turn on Transactions.

— Enabling Advanced Fraud Protection. Our three-digit security code changes automatically for even more secure purchases.

Apple further advised us: “Go to Apple Card in Wallet, tap the card number button More button then scroll down to Advanced Fraud Protection and turn it on. Use Advanced Fraud Protection with Apple Card.

“Report suspicious messages. If you receive a text message about your Apple Card that feels suspicious, don't respond or tap on any links.

“To report spam or other suspicious messages that you receive through Messages, tap Report Spam under the message.”

(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)