‘First blood’ in P680-M Iloilo flyover House probe

“Do I provoke as a method of investigation? Of course. That's the essence of architecture. Do I do it with gusto? I do.”

—Thom Mayne

 

By Alex P. Vidal 

 

WHAT happened during the first hearing on the defective P680-million Ungka flyover or the Iloilo flyover project by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Works and Highways in the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City on August 15 can be considered as “appetizer”.

It can be likened to a first quarter in basketball, or the first 10 kilometers in the 42.195-kilometer full marathon.

In any acquaintance party, there are no fireworks and flaks. In any warm up, the intensity of action is lesser, slower, and serene.  

Since the main character, the International Builders Corporation (IBC), the contractor tasked by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to build the controversial flyover was missing, there was more reason for the inquisitors, led by committee chair, Surigao del Sur 1st District Rep. Romeo Momo, to hold their chariots.

Since it was only DPWH Region 6 assistant director, Engr. Jose Al Fruto, who became the main aperitif in the hearing, there was no way for some committee members to extract pieces of coppers from the wood.

 

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They will have to wait until the next hearing, the second quarter in basketball, or the first 20 kilometers in the full marathon, will unwrap in Iloilo City as proposed by Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel, before a full-blown catechism is expected to unleash.

Thus, all the reports that came from the inaugural House inquiry centered heavily on the production of the copy of geotech investigation report by Metro Manila-based Abinales Associates Engineers + Consultants, which conducted the geotechnical investigation for a fee of P13,480,880.

It will be very interesting when the inquiry touches on the project’s needs identification, policies and plans, prioritization, planning, feasibility and preparation, funding and financing, delivery, design, procurement.

Also, in construction and management, operation and maintenance, and end of life.

The qualifications and background of the contractor or contractors; the qualities and specific budget set aside for materials used during the actual implementation of the expensive project; and how the project was awarded to the contractor or contractors.

Let’s wait with bated breath for the highlights of the House inquiry on this scandal-ridden project that has put a blot on the image of the city and province of Iloilo in terms of quality and efficiency in the implementation of state-budgeted highway projects. 

 

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DAMAYAN MIGRANT WORKERS ASSOCIATION GENERAL ASSEMBLY. Damayan members and supporters gathered at The People’s Forum in Manhattan, NYC for the Damayan Annual General Assembly and Board Election on July 29.

It was the epitome of Damayan’s democratic principle of giving and upholding the power of the eligible members to vote for their board members by a confidential ballot. 

The momentous occasion with Damayan’s highest decision-making body involved: The Executive Director’s report on Damayan’s 2022 Annual Accomplishment Report and discussion of the Damayan 2023 Program of Action. 

The general membership was inspired by Damayan’s 20 years of impact and unanimously approved the 2023 Program of Action to continue servicing and empowering the Filipino migrant workers.

Election of three Damayan board members for 2023-2025: The Damayan General Assembly voted in three board members after listening to their platforms: 1. Riya Ortiz, Damayan’s new executive director; 2. Karina Garcia, current board chair and long-time Damayan ally and organizer; and 3. Raffy Garcia, a Filipino Certified Public Accountant with an extensive record of working and helping NYC nonprofits to strengthen their financial operations and a long time supporter of Damayan. 

Previous board treasurer, Neal Stone, was not included in the three highest number of votes. The organization said it will be forever thankful for all his contributions in solidifying the board leadership and in building Damayan since 2006.

Reaffirming Damayan’s mission and quest to end labor trafficking and modern-day slavery through a sharp Damayan orientation: Damayan screened for the first time official video Damayan orientation, which reaffirmed and streamlined the mission, analysis, programs and services; and the members’ rights and responsibilities. Attendance in a Damayan orientation was one of the requirements to vote at the GA.

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

 

Ilonggos anticipate Ungka flyover House probe

“Corruption is the enemy of development, and of good governance. It must be got rid of. Both the government and the people at large must come together to achieve this national objective.”

— Pratibha Patil

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

ILONGGOS will once again focus their attention on the scheduled investigation of the P680-million Ungka flyover project in Ungka, Pavia, Iloilo to be initiated by the Committee on Public Works and Highways of the House of Representatives reportedly in the third week this month.

Residents of Pavia and Iloilo City have been anticipating the formal House inquiry after the Pavia municipal council had passed a resolution urging congress to conduct the probe.

The project contractor, International Builders Corporation (IBC), is expected to be finally given the opportunity to air its side and explain why the 453.7 lineal meters long on a bored pile foundation, including the approaches infrastructure project, suffered vertical displacement.

The defects were reportedly found in piers 4, 5 and 6.

It was already partially opened to motorists on June 30, 2022 and fully opened on Sept. 5, 2022 before it was ordered closed on Sept. 16, 2022.

It’s been 10 months since the project was “mothballed.”

According to experts, at least P250 million is needed to repair the project’s defects. 

The amount is based on estimates by Abinales Associates Engineers + Consultant, the third-party consultancy firm hired by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to conduct a geotechnical investigation on the "sinking" flyover.

The DPWH hasn’t yet disclosed where to get the money for the repair and the repair will reportedly commence in 2024.

DPWH paid more than P13 million to the third-party consultancy firm for the geotechnical investigation from March to May 2023.

 

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WE join America in preparing for the celebration of the Fourth of July or Independence Day.

The celebration has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution (1775-83).

THE Republic of the Philippines, on the other hand, attained its independence on July 4, 1946.

According to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), The World Factbook, Philippines: “The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. 

“In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected president and was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a 10-year transition. 

“In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese occupation during World War II, and US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control.”

And according to history.com, THIS DAY IN HISTORY: 1898 June 12, Philippine independence declared: 

“In April 1898, the Spanish-American War broke out over Spain’s brutal suppression of a rebellion in Cuba. 

“The first in a series of decisive U.S. victories occurred on May 1, 1898, when the U.S. Asiatic Squadron under Commodore George Dewey annihilated the Spanish Pacific fleet at the Battle of Manila Bay in the Philippines. 

“From his exile, Aguinaldo made arrangements with U.S. authorities to return to the Philippines and assist the United States in the war against Spain. 

“He landed on May 19, rallied his revolutionaries, and began liberating towns south of Manila. On June 12, he proclaimed Philippine independence and established a provincial government, of which he subsequently became head.”

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

 

 

 

P680-M Iloilo flyover project’s three monkeys

 

“The corruption of the best things gives rise to the worst.”

 —David Hume

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

FOR sure, there are retired and active politicians who are now jittery after it was reported over the weekend that the House of Representatives might finally tackle next month the proposed House Resolution No. 721 seeking a legislative inquiry on the much-scandalized P680-million Iloilo flyover project or Ungka flyover (UFO) and the delayed construction of the P560-million Aganan flyover also in Pavia, Iloilo.

These nervous politicians—retired and active—are aware that sooner or later, they will be unmasked and subjected to intense scrutiny and inquisition once the formal congressional investigation starts.

It’s a common knowledge that the DPWH “isn’t the lone culprit” in this imbroglio. 

Somewhere and sometime during the conceptualization of this multi-million infra project that has now become the symbol of shame and scandal of the Ilonggos, there were politicians—now retired and active—who were involved. 

The same politicians must have enjoyed the halcyon years enriching themselves at the expense of taxpayers money through several infrastructure projects in the past. 

It was only probably in the P680-million Iloilo flyover project that their luck came to a screeching halt (read: nabuking) after the flyover was monitored to be “sinking” just when it was about to be presented to the public. 

A sign of the natural law of retribution or karmic justice?

 

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The project’s genesis will be traced from the sources of funds to the actual implementation. 

There must be bigger players in this gargantuan infrastructure project, and these big players must have hit “big”—even bigger than what some Ilonggos have imagined.

Since the scandal of epic proportion erupted in September 2022 when the flyover was suddenly ordered closed days after it was opened to public, these retired and active politicians, who may have waltzed with corrupt DPWH bigwigs and private contractors, have pretended they heard and saw nothing about the burning issue.

No statement of concern; no reaction; no condemnation; no nothing.

Strange. The silence is deafening—and irritating.

All of a sudden, they became the three famous monkeys—the ones who heard no evil, saw no evil, and spoke no evil. 

 

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HEAT IN HISTORY. The biggest playoffs win in Miami Heat history, by point differential, is by 37 points which occurred in a 115-78 win over the Chicago Bulls during the Eastern Conference Semifinals on May 8, 2013. Based on point differential, the largest win in Miami Heat history is by 43 points, which occurred in a 126-83 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Dec 29, 1994.

BILLIONAIRES. Thirty one billionaires in the world are worth more than the $38.8 billion the US Treasury has in cash. To be clear, each of them is worth more than that alone, according to a CNN report.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Dozens of industry leaders and academics in the field of artificial intelligence have called for greater global attention to the possible threat of “extinction from AI.” A statement, signed by leading industry officials like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Geoffrey Hinton—the so-called “godfather” of artificial intelligence—highlights wide-ranging concerns about the ultimate danger of unchecked AI. Experts say humanity is still a ways off from the prospect of science-fiction-like AI overlords, but the flood of hype and investment into the AI industry has led to calls for regulation now before any major mishaps occur. The growing AI arms race has already generated more immediate concerns. Lawmakers, advocacy groups and tech insiders have raised alarms about the potential for AI-powered language models like ChatGPT to spread misinformation and displace jobs.

Every June, the United States celebrates Pride Month, marking the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, when police raided a gay bar in New York City and its patrons stood up against discrimination, abuse, and mistreatment. US Department of State Secretary Anthony J. Blinken said in a statement, “Pride reminds us of the spirit of democratic protest and the principle that all persons are created equal and every individual’s full humanity should be equally respected.”

He added: “Five decades after Stonewall, we know that inclusion of and respect for LGBTQI+ persons make our nation stronger. We also recognize the impact LGBTQI+ persons and organizations have had on some of the cornerstones of our democracy, including in pursuing truth through a free media and exercising the right to peacefully assemble.”

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

The price of justice is eternal publicity

 

“There is a higher court than courts of justice and that is the court of conscience. It supersedes all other courts.”

—Mahatma Gandhi

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

WE won’t get tired of writing about the titanic public infrastructure scandal that hit Iloilo in recent memory primarily as our moral obligation and indispensable duty and contribution to democracy.

In this valiant crusade, no one should lose steam, enthusiasm, energy, and fire in the belly.

We’re referring to the defective P680-million Iloilo flyover otherwise known as Ungka flyover (UFO) in Pavia, Iloilo, a project of the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) that has inconvenienced both the motorists and residents in the city and province of Iloilo.

Given the magnitude of the controversy and amount of public funds involved (P250 million more is needed to repair the project), we can’t help in the Fourth Estate but sustain the publicity until drastic measures have been taken by authorities concerned like the Office of the Ombudsman, the Lower and Upper chambers of Congress, intrepid and independent “fiscalizers” in the LGUs, members of vigilant and incorruptible civil society.

They must be willing to perform a patriotic duty and doggedly pursue the investigation, file appropriate cases against the wrongdoers, and seek justice for the offended taxpayers.

Media, the court of last resort in terms of check and balance, play a major role in exposing the irregular dealings by government functionaries and their subalterns and should continue to provide unwavering torchlight to the benign public. 

There should be no catatonic 180 degrees turn even if spin masters and backdoor PR stunts all of a sudden enter the picture. 

 

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In the absence of vigilance from anti-graft agencies and swift moto proprioinvestigation and prosecution, the price of justice is eternal publicity.

There should be no more room for indolence and submissiveness on the part of those empowered to scrutinize government transactions now that perpetrators of this grand chicanery think they can get away with murder after sensing that local officials and self-styled anti-graft crusaders have failed to step up the avowed cry for accountability and justice.

We understand why some merchants of transparency and purveyors of justice turned languid and feeble in the face of overwhelming public outcry for culpability on the part of the DPWH and the flyover project contractor. 

Either they are beholden, in one way or the other, or stacked against odds in the face of the multiple Goliaths (shady DPWH bigwigs, 10-percenter politicians, shrewd and truculent contractors).

But the hottest place in hell is reserved not only for those who refuse to take sides in this professed moral and ethical crisis, but also for those who refuse to acknowledge that a malfeasance of epic proportion has unraveled and there is a need to stand in unison and not to backtrack against influential and powerful personalities behind this incredible corruption and negligence. 

 

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As of this writing, my hopes of recovering the item I ordered from the eBay, one of the world’s oldest and most recognizable ecommerce platforms, which went “missing”, were getting dim.

I placed the order on May 19 and was notified it was up for delivery on May 26. 

On May 26, Friday, I received an email notifying that the item, an Apple MacBook Pro 13, with United States Postal Office (USPO) track package #9405508205497960628890 “has been delivered front door/porch at 12:44 pm” at Elmhurst, Queens.

When I went home on May 29, Monday, the item was nowhere to be found. I checked with the person in charge of our letters and packages in the apartment and it yielded a negative result. 

I immediately contacted the eBay and waited for any reply at the Starbucks. After three hours, eBay replied, but its email only made me feel more somber and dejected.

I have been a regular eBay client for four years now. I have made more than a dozen transactions with eBay from headphones, earphones, laptops (four Lenovo brands and another one Apple MacBook Pro in April), wallets, caps, a clock, watches, laptop bags, knapsacks and they were all successfully delivered. 

In 2018, I lost a very valuable and expensive Bose speaker also delivered by the USPS.

The additional Apple MacBook Pro 13 was the second item I lost.

Moral of the story: no more online shopping, at least for the time being.

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

 

 

 

 

 

Iloilo flyover probe: Rhetoric isn’t a commitment

“Rhetoric is a poor substitute for action, and we have trusted only to rhetoric. If we are really to be a great nation, we must not merely talk; we must act big.”

—Theodore Roosevelt

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

LET us be clear about this: a “declaration of support” is different from “doing it on my own initiative.” 

So let’s not be totally mesmerized and excited when another politician has “supported the call” to conduct a Senate investigation into the scandalous and mysterious P680-million Iloilo flyover project or Ungka flyover (UFO) in Ungka, Pavia.

Senator Imee Marcos told Iloilo reporters May 28 “it is important to look into all this shabby infrastructure. It is apparent that the bridge is very badly constructed and has to be looked into.”

I find Marcos’ words lacking in substance and earnestness.

It appears it was like another rhetoric from a seasoned politician forced to denounce something in a press conference that is already stinking but something vacillating politicians like her wouldn’t really care to take up if nobody had raised it.

In others words, Marcos wouldn’t and couldn’t pick up the cudgels for the Ilonggos by making a lucid and transpicuous commitment to bring the matter herself to the Upper Chamber.     

She will have to wait for a colleague to file the resolution and just “support” it; she isn’t the Real McCoy if Ilonggos are waiting for the Knight in the Shining Armor.

The caveat is: if no senator will take up the issue seriously and be heroic and patriotic to sponsor a formal resolution, no senate inquiry will happen in the near future. 

 

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The “call” was actually a resolution from the Pavia Sangguniang Bayan (SB) sponsored by Councilor Pyt Trimañez urging the Senate to intervene in the controversy by calling for a formal inquiry.

The municipal resolution came after the Pavia SB “felt hopeless” that the efforts of Makabayan bloc Representatives Raoul Daniel Manuel of Kabataan, Arlene Brosas of Gabriela, and France Castro of ACT-Teachers have, so far, yielded negative results in as far as a formal inquiry from the Lower House is concerned.

Months have passed since the lawmakers filed the resolution and it seems, like many pending House resolutions, it is gathering cobwebs and may not be even taken up anytime soon. 

It appears no one is willing to grab the bull by the horns as the frustration and revulsion of Ilonggos get stronger and higher day by day.

We just can’t trust the politicians when they openly denounce the alleged irregularities in the expensive flyover project and yet do nothing concrete to at least speed up any investigation that would bring justice to the taxpayers.

"Ang problema ko ang laki-laki pala nang gagamitin sa repair niyan and I'm hopeful that they can come into a cheaper arrangement," Marcos said.

Problema mo ba talaga, Senador Imee?

 

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We are all excited and timid—whether we root for Celtics or Heat.

As of this writing, the Boston Celtics were on the verge of making history after a dramatic buzzer-beating victory against the Miami Heat to force a Game 7 in the NBA playoffs. 

Boston was trying to become the first team to win a playoff series after trailing 3-0. 

The winner of that series will play the Denver Nuggets, who swept the Los Angeles Lakers in four games to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time in the franchise’s 47-year history.

In New York City, thousands of apartments meant for homeless New Yorkers are sitting vacant amid record homelessness and a continuing influx of migrants, according to documents obtained by the Daily News. Obtained via a Freedom of Information Law request, the documents show that 2,646 of the city’s supportive housing units—which are meant for homeless individuals with a need for social services—were empty on March 31.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Iloilo flyover and Russian Roulette

 

“The first sign of corruption in a society that is still alive is that the end justifies the means.”

— Georges Bernanos

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

ASIDE from the protest or condemnation rally—or whatever type of rally or street noise the taxpayers have undertaken and are still planning to stage—a formal complaint in the Office of the Ombudsman must be lodged soon against the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the International Builders Corporation (IBC) in relation to the P680-million Iloilo flyover project or Ungka Flyover (UFO) in Ungka, Pavia.

Both the DPWH and the contractor appear to be unfazed by what have been reported, so far, in the mainstream and social media. 

They think the brickbats and flak from the press are mere mosquito bites that can never bring the wrongdoers down on all four.

They probably suspect that aside from the “mere” media fanfare, no one is really interested to file formal charges in the proper court; and the ruckus will just be forgotten by the passing of time, thus the guilty parties will be off the hook. 

It’s time to halt the Russian Roulette. If no one will initiate the filing of case, the Ombudsman should motu proprio conduct a preliminary investigation based on the “smoking gun”—the result of structural engineer Adam Abinales’ findings that several piers of the flyover’s 16 piers had sunk even after the flyover was supposed to open for vehicular traffic last year. 

Abinales is the managing partner of the Pasig-based Abinales Associates Engineers + Consultants. 

 

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Abinales submitted the report to the Regional Development Council-Western Visayas’ Infrastructure Development Committee (RDC-IDC) on May 15.

He estimated that at least P250 million is needed to repair the defects.

Abinales confirmed that Pier Nos. 4, 5, and 6 of the flyover’s 16 piers had sunk by more than one foot between May 2022 and April 14, 2023; and among the piers, Pier 5 had the deepest settlement, with a depth of 583 millimeters or 22.9 inches. Pier 6 settled by 488 mm or 19.21 inches, while Pier 4 settled by 431 mm or 16 inches.

Based on this development, there’s a strong possibility that the DPWH and IBC may have neglected the project and did not judiciously and strictly exercise full professional measures to ensure that the expensive project would be done according to specifications and budget.  

It appears there’s an iota of evidence of carelessness and dereliction of duty on the part of those responsible to erect the project and properly discharge the taxpayers money.

A protest or condemnation rally is good. A formal case in the proper court is better.

 

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WOULD MVP HAVE CALLED LA LAKERS’ 0-4 LOSS TO NUGGETS A DISGRACE? I still maintain that Manny Pangilinan’s over reaction when he tagged as “disgraceful” Gilas Pilipinas’ 79-68 loss to Cambodia in the group stage in the recent 2023 SEA Games men’s basketball was uncalled for. 

He tried to redeem himself by saying he was “happy to be proven wrong” after Gilas finally collared the gold medal by avenging the embarrassing loss to the host country in the battle for the gold medal, 80-69.

Nine years ago in 2014, Manny Pangilinan, popularly known as MVP, expressed interest in owning a stake in the Los Angeles Clippers.

MVP was interested in acquiring a minority stake in the NBA ballclub, which was rumored to be put up for sale after the lifetime ban meted by NBA commissioner Adam Silver on owner Donald Sterling over racist comments.

“Well, yeah (I'm interested in buying a stake in the Clippers). I mean, it’s a good team, I’m sure there will be many interested buyers in the (United) States,” MVP was reported as saying after his team, Talk 'N Text's Game Two win over Rain or Shine at the Astrodome back in April 2014.

He said the Clippers’ market value in that year was pegged at US$575 million (P25.3 billion), but he intended to buy only a minority share if the opportunity arose to be able to experience what it is like to partly own an NBA team.

His plans fizzled out. The Clippers have not been doing well. What if he was able to acquire a stake in the NBA ball club and that team happened to be LA—not the Clippers—but LA Lakers?

And the seventh-seeded Lakers were swept by the top-seeded Denver Nuggets with a 113-111 defeat in Game 4 on May 22 night, ending Lebron James’ attempt to win his fifth career championship in his 20th NBA season. Would MVP run berserk and call the Lakers’ 0-4 shutout loss a disgrace too?

Los Angeles was one of the NBA’s best teams after making several moves at the trade deadline, going 18-8 to end the regular season even without James. The Lakers then made an impressive run to the conference finals, knocking off second-seeded Memphis and defending champion Golden State, but ran out of steam against the powerhouse Nuggets.

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

 

 

 

 

Demolish or repair?

“Science is about knowing; engineering is about doing.”

—Henry Petroski

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

THERE are only two options for a condemned building: demolish or repair.

To save time and money, it’s normally a total demolition to pave the way for a new edifice—or the building of a modern commercial, industrial, residential, or sports complex. 

Contemporary engineering regulations prohibit the repair of structures that have been condemned or those that are no longer fit for human habitation.

We’ve seen lots of old and tall buildings toppled by explosives and other authorized demolition devices after being condemned or restricted by a local ordinance for being hazardous to public safety and public health.

A mere repair won’t be a wise option if the building owners aim for longevity, durability, upgrade and modernization; and, most of all, wise investment.

They have to cut and cut clean.

With a striking parallelism, this brings us to the controversial multi-million infrastructure project in the boundary of Iloilo City and the Municipality of Pavia known for its spectral acronym UFO (not the Unidentified Flying Object). 

Here’s the situation where the opposite seems to be inexorably imminent: repair over demolition.

 

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Now that the P680-million Iloilo flyover project or the Ungka Flyover in Ungka, Pavia has been found to be defective by a third party consultancy entity tasked by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), there’s no way it will open for the use of pedestrians and motorists soon. At least not yet.

Although it was supposed to open in September 2022, there’s a strong indication it may still not be available for the vehicular traffic for an indefinite period of time.

Unless the DPWH will be able to fork out the enormous P250 million (at least, according to the consultancy entity) needed to fix the problem soon, the doomed project will become a liability rather than a public asset.

The longer the DPWH will find hard to produce the budget, the longer will be for the public not to be able to use the flyover.

Teetering and unreliable, the flyover can’t stand there forever like the stale giant statues of Andres Bonifacio and Lapu-Lapu if it cannot serve its purpose.

It will not only pose a gargantuan hazard to the public, its iniquitous image will constantly remind the public of the grand chicanery and swindling that once-upon-a-time descended on that area and eternally left a blot of disgrace and dishonor.    

Which left the authorities with no option but to forage for the magic amount and start the repair soon. But, please, leave the taxpayers alone  and let the contractors foot the bills.

Demolition isn’t the best option—just in case some smart alecks are still entertaining this notion.

 

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DON’T ATTRACT BURGLARS. If we have just purchased expensive items and have vacation plans, please don't mention them in Facebook or in any other social media platforms. A Swedish insurance company has found that unguarded use of blogs and social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter can attract burglars (makawat or magnanakaw). Many have been victimized because they also posted their contact information, reports said.

PAPARAZZI STRIKE IN NYC. “It's clear that the paparazzi want to get the right shot ... but public safety must always be at the forefront,” declared New York City Mayor Eric Adams, condemning "reckless" paparazzi after Prince Harry and his wife Meghan alleged photographers pursued them on Tuesday for hours through the city in a "near catastrophic" car chase. The couple was left shaken by the incident, although ultimately no one was hurt, their security detail claimed. Prince Harry has been vocal about the security of his family, often highlighting parallels between his wife's treatment by the paparazzi to that faced by his mother, Diana. The late Princess of Wales died in 1997 after suffering internal injuries resulting from a high-speed car crash in Paris.

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

The smoking gun

“Our duty is to believe that for which we have sufficient evidence, and to suspend our judgment when we have not.”

—John Lubbock

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

IF the Iloilo flyover project was built in communist China or Cuba, all those responsible for its apparent “miscarriage” would be executed in public.

Corruption—lower and higher magnitude—is severely dealt with capital punishment in these tough and unbending lands known for law and order.

But it was erected in democratic Philippines, home of the lukewarm, “due process”, padrino system, mercy, generosity, forgiveness, passivity, apathy. 

Meanwhile, the best evidence that taxpayers money in the amount of P680 million was “mishandled” (we don’t have the evidence yet it was stolen) is the report of Engr. Adam Abinales of the third-party consultancy firm hired by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to conduct an independent probe on the substandard Iloilo flyover project in Ungka, Pavia, that at least P250 million is needed to repair the inexplicable infrastructure.

That’s the smoking gun.

If there is smoke there is fire. Si fumus est ignis.

The fire is the perceived anomaly.

The construction of the P680-million flyover project that connects the city and provincial via Ungka, Pavia and Jaro District is supposedly tainted with anomaly based on Abinales’ smoking gun.

Simple logic. If the project’s total cost was handled properly and judiciously, there would be no need for the repair; there’s no need to cough up P250 million (let’s hope they won’t bilk the taxpayers anew) to fix the mess.

The need to repair the stinking flyover project is the result of negligence, incompetence, apathy, and partly corruption.

 

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MJ will have to eat his own words after the Gilas Pilipinas, representing the Philippines in the 2023 SEA Games mens basketball, captured the gold by trouncing elimination round conqueror and host Cambodia, 80-69, in the final on May 16.

MJ had called as “disgraceful” the RP Team’s shock defeat to Cambodia in the early match. Instead of giving the Pinoy cagers the benefit of the doubt, MJ unleashed his unbridled antagonism like he was giving his employees the dressing down. 

The Gilas' win marks a return to the top after their grip on the Southeast Asian Games basketball title was surprisingly broken by Indonesia last year, according to Chloe Merrell of Olympics. The loss brought about an end to a winning streak that dated back to 1991.

After a tight first quarter, which saw the hosts take the lead by one, the Philippines burst into action in the second, outscoring Cambodia 23-11 to secure a 44-33 lead at half-time.

With the regional title back in their hands the Gilas have been handed an important boost ahead of this year's 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup where the first qualification berths for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be on the line.

 

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ABNORMAL. The weather anywhere in the world today is abnormal. Summer and winter are unpredictable. Earthquake here, earthquake there. Volcanic eruption there, volcanic eruption here. We should take the climate change and environment issues seriously and be aware of what's going on in every nook and cranny worldwide--before it's too late!

TOP 20 WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES: 1. Bananas, 2. Apples 3. Carrots 4. Tomatoes 5. Iceberg Lettuce 6. Oranges 7. Broccoli 8. Grapes 9. Winter Squash 10. Onions 11. Pears 12. Watermelon 13. Peaches 14. Spinach 15. Zucchini 16. Cauliflower 17. Strawberries 18. Cabbage 19. Cucumber 20. Cantaloupe. (Source: Produce Retailer)

LAST SEASONAL FRUITS. Fresh cherries are one of the few items in the produce department that don't have year-round availability. Imports start in November and run through January from Chile, then pick back up in May from California and end in late August or early September from the North-west and British Columbia. There can be as much as 5 to 6 months with no fresh cherry availability.

FIRST iPOD. Apple released their first portable music device on October 23, 2001 and called it the iPod.

When freedom does not have a purpose, when it does not wish to know anything about the rule of law engraved in the hearts of men and women, when it does not listen to the voice of conscience, it turns against humanity and society -- Pope John Paul II. The late Pope was right. And It will be the disintegration of society and decay of the human race.

Judges rule on the basis of law, not public opinion, and they should be totally indifferent to pressures of the times -- Warren E. Burger.

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

Must the taxpayers waste P1-B for the Iloilo flyover?

 

“Time and money are almost always saved to be wasted.” 

― Mokokoma Mokhonoana

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

WE will wait for the next move of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) now that it was revealed a total of P250 million is needed to “repair” the damaged P680-million Iloilo flyover project in Ungka, Pavia.

If we add the amount needed to fix the ill-fated flyover and the budget appropriated and set aside to build it, it’s a whopping P930 million or nearly P1 billion.

This is the high cost of negligence—and maybe corruption and incompetence.  

Yet nobody is being held accountable. They just dangled the amount of P250 million like it will be taken from the nearest coconut tree.

It’s like the taxpayers are being ripped off for the second time.

Must the taxpayers waste P1 billion for a defective flyover project that will only be refurbished?

 

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IN a hope to checkmate the Philippines, Kuwait executed a major rook sacrifice in the opening moves by suspending all types of work and entry visas for Filipinos supposedly for violation of a bilateral labor agreement with the Arabic country.

The gambit momentarily wobbled the Philippines, which has 268,000 workers and residents in this Gulf state. 

Sheikh Talal al-Khaled al-Sabah, the Minister of Interior, had reportedly ordered the visa pause after a breach.

It’s not a joke for a Third World country to lose millions of dollars in remittances and absorb displaced OFWs who will lose their jobs in one fell swoop. 

In a chess match, a rook sacrifice—or any major pieces like knight and bishop for that matter—is a tactical but dangerous move. 

It’s like a kamikaze attack: either you win after the opponent’s defense in the king side crumbles, or you resign if the opponent survives the assault and successfully marshals a counter-attack with the superior pieces.   

Thus instead of hammering out a quick victory, Kuwait’s gambit drilled a dungeon and the Philippines appeared to have forestalled the scary invasion and dragged the match into the middle game. 

 

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The suspension reportedly was due to the Philippines having not “complied with the provisions of the labor agreement between the two countries,” it was reported.

In February the Philippines had barred first-time workers, especially domestic workers, from entering Kuwait after the brutal murder of a 35-year-old Filipina maid by the teenage son of her Kuwaiti employer.

The Philippines government has also recently suspended the accreditation of new recruitment agencies in Kuwait.

Kuwait must have realized it needed to draw the first blood in the form of a rook sacrifice to awaken the Philippines and seize the upper hand.

As of this writing, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Migrant Workers, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWW) officials were reportedly on their way to Kuwait for a “dialogue” or negotiation with Kuwaiti officials regarding the ban. That’s the middle game.

In the middle game, many possibilities could unravel. Theoretical and tactical moves develop; blunders occur; time forfeiture happens. 

Either the ban will be lifted if both sides reach a win-win solution to the impasse, or the Team Philippines will go home empty handed.

Either it will be a resignation, checkmate, or draw.

We will wait for the end game. 

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