Give me death or lock me in jail in Christmas

“When a person go to jail, what people don't realize is you're alive, but you're dead to the world. People forget about you. When you go to jail, you're a story.”

—Roddy Ricch

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

NOTHING can be worse than being tormented by the thought that before Christmas Day, someone will spend time inside the jail.

For several weeks now, this brutal threat by the government against perpetrators of the infuriating flood control project uproar has become their excruciating Sword of Damocles.

To be compulsorily taken away from family during the “most wonderful time of the year”is already a terrible mental and emotional anguish.

To be separated from family and brought behind bars in cuff during the Yuletide season, including New Year, without knowing whether someone can go home soon is adding insult to injury and agony.

Definitely there will be no homecoming in sight yet for many of those involved who face imminent arrest in the mess if they are slapped with malversation of public funds, a non-bailable offense, aside from plunder.

This was what the Department of Justice (DoJ), the Office of the Ombudsman, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), including President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. had promised the Filipino people.

 

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Many of the accused (they remain “suspects” until formal charges have been filed against them in the Sandiganbayan) may have started spending some sleepless nights; their families may have been worrying a lot like they are about to witness a funeral of loved ones.

But this is the price they have to pay. Justice and accountability have to be served regardless of who gets waylaid. It’s long overdue.

The taxpayers, including those who lost family members in the most recent floods when successive super typhoons ripped apart the peninsula and dry lands, have been waiting for moment where those responsible for stealing billions of pesos in flood control projects that resulted in horrific destruction and death are locked in the calaboose.

We also worry for family members of those who will be locked in jail in relation to the flood control project hullabaloo since most of them will have to suffer the stigma of shame and humiliation in public even if they have nothing to do whatsoever with the crime, but we are more worried if justice will elude the taxpayers—the Filipino people for that matter—if the flood control project thieves are allowed to get away with murder.

 

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The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is aware of what is happening in the Philippines nowadays.

Uncle Sam knows there are malcontents and destabilizers agitating to topple the Marcos Jr. administration with the support of China.

Even the most recent protest rally called by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) against corruption in government, Uncle Sam monitored and observed every move and speech delivered by haters and saboteurs of the three-year-old Marcos Jr. regime.

Sources said the INC hierarchy decided to shorten the supposed to be three-day protest rally at the Luneta in Manila after being “advised” by Big Brother.

This was after an unhinged presidential sister started to fiercely attack the president, her own younger brother, south of the border.

For Big Brother, it was a tipping point. INC had to oblige to the bigger voice.

 

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BLOOD IN SEMEN. One in 100 men experience this condition known as "hematospermia", and it's usually nothing to worry about as it's a routine plumbing problem. Ejaculating at least once a week improves our urologic health, decreasing the chances of prostate cancer and hematospermia. (Source: Dr. Judd Moul, Duke University Medical Center)

GOOD SEX EDUCATION is safe sex education. Helping kids to be aware of their bodies and of their feelings about sexuality can only make them better able to practice safe and egalitarian sex in what could be history's most honest chapter of sexual relations.

Charles Dickens once said, “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” We say, “With or without Christmas, we should live a decent life; love our friends and don't hate our enemies. Respect for our parents should be inviolable. Kindness should be our mantra. Most of all, our faith in God should be unshakable!

 

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OUR BONES. There are 206 bones in the adult human body, but 300 in children (some of the bones fuse together as a child grows).

The Roman Emperor Nero used to dress up young boys in his dead wife's clothes and make love to them.

WHAT IS THE SECRET BEHIND A SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIP? 91 percent of those surveyed said it was still finding your partner attractive after being together for several years. If I may add, being "attractive" does not mean only physically. We can be attractive because of our values, intelligence, and the way we treat others, especially the lowly people.

(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)

 

 

UN Assembly: The new Alan Peter Cayetano

"The United Nations is our one great hope for a peaceful and free world."

--Ralph Bunche

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- The last time I interviewed Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano was when he graced the Philippine Independence Day celebration in June 2015 at the Philippine Consulate on Fifth Avenue.
He was then a senator and was interested to run for vice president of the Philippines.
He did run and lost to Rep. Leni Robredo who also beat second placer, former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
Cayetano, who ran under PDP-Laban standard bearer Rodrigo Roa Duterte, spoke about the plight of overseas Filipino workers (OFW), the Philippine economy,  and against graft and corruption.
When he spoke during the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, we heard a different Alan Peter Cayetano.
He wanted to convince the 72nd Edition of UNGA's General Debate that the Philippine government "seeks to protect the human rights of peaceful law-abiding people" in the country's battle against corruption, crime and illegal drugs.

INTEGRATE

Cayetano said: “The Philippines integrates the human rights agenda in its development initiatives for the purpose of protecting everyone, especially the most vulnerable, from lawlessness, violence, and anarchy."
The very principle of "responsibility to protect" must encompass the vast majority of peaceful law-abiding people who must be protected from those who are not, Cayetano explained.
He added that as a "responsible leader", President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, launched a vigorous campaign against the illegal drug trade “to save lives, preserve families, protect communities and stop the country’s slide into a narco-state, adding that the campaign was never an instrument to violate any individual’s or group’s human rights.
As of August 2017, the drug trade had penetrated at least 24,848 barangays. This is 59 per cent of the total of 42,036 of the smallest government units spanning the country’s archipelago.
The former senator said the Philippines have also discovered the intimate and symbiotic relationship between terrorism vis-a-vis poverty and the illegal drug trade.
These terrorists, he said, were somehow able to bring together an assortment of extremists, criminals, mercenaries and foreign fighters who attempted to take control of Marawi. The national armed forces will regain full control of Marawi from Islamic State-inspired terrorists.

ASEAN

On regionalism, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, has overcome the divisions, fears, and hostilities of the past, forging regional cooperation in promoting growth, development, and peaceful settlement of disputes, Cayetano said.
Here's part of Cayetano's speech:
"Mr. President, Excellencies, The path to peace must be walked with patience. To achieve any purpose with others--be they powers or people, patience is needed. The opposite of patience is impatience--the cause and aggravation of conflict.  
"Someone said that 'Talk, talk is better than war, war.' Listening is even better than talking. We must listen to others more than we listen to ourselves. Hopefully we know what we are talking about. But others may know what we do not. We can learn only if we stop talking, and listen. 
"We may think we know how others can do things better than they’ve done it. Maybe our way is more efficient. But the time gained by that efficiency will be time lost convincing others that our way is better, rather than a compromise between our way and theirs. 
"Real change in the world order necessitates cooperation. Nothing affecting others can be undertaken without their willing involvement, without getting their agreement on the purpose and manner of it. Achieving a shared purpose beyond any single one’s ability requires cooperation. 
"But how else can we get cooperation if not with the patience to explain why it is needed--and the equal patience to listen. 

LARGEST

"This is why we have the United Nations, the largest cooperative endeavor in human history. We use the UN to speak out but equally also to listen. And somehow arrive at a consensus, or at least a modus vivendi on how to proceed--in peace and therefore with a greater prospect of progress. 
"The theme for this year’s session--“Focusing on people: striving for peace and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet”--captures a promise that everyone who has stood here vowed to fulfill for his people, and the rest of the peoples of the United Nations, as the Preamble of the Charter puts it. 
"Yet, after 72 years, while much has been achieved, much more has to be done. The promise is still very much a work in progress.
"We, the peoples of the United Nations, battle new threats that undermine such success as we’ve achieved, and frustrate further progress in peace, development and human rights--the three pillars of the United Nations."

Most abused mayor in the world

"Democracy must be built through open societies that share information. When there is information, there is enlightenment. When there is debate, there are solutions. When there is no sharing of power, no rule of law, no accountability, there is abuse, corruption, subjugation and indignation."
--Atifete Jahjaga

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- With the way he is being persecuted by the Duterte administration, Dr. Jed Patrick Mabilog could go down in history as the most abused city mayor not only in the Philippines, but also all over the world.
The abuse is not only verbal, but mental and emotional.
To be tagged as coddler of drug traffickers repeatedly by no less than the President (when in truth and in fact, he is not), is already the worst abuse any incumbent local chief executive could get.
The shame, embarrassment, humiliation, and indignity of being ranked alongside with the dregs of society without any morsel of truth, is already a mental and emotional torture.
To add insult, a police with the rank of chief inspector had joined the fray and reportedly dared Mabilog "to surrender" as if the city mayor was a convicted criminal in hiding.
If he really said that, this is the first time we heard a police officer with a lower rank boldy haranguing an elected civilian chief of a highly urbanized city without any regard to the mayor's authority and seniority in civil service.

NAPOLCOM

If this is not conduct unbecoming and unprofessionalism, we don't know what it is. The National Police Commissiom (Napolcom) should investigate this overexcited cop who has been reassigned in Iloilo City. Is this the way you orient your cops, Gen. Bato?
Whatever the reason why President Duterte has stubbornly continued to link the well-mannered and clean-living Mabilog to illegal drugs when he couldn't even substantiate it (the accuations were reportedly based on hearsays and "tips" from Mabilog's vindictive and jealous political detractors), he alone knows.
It, of course, boggles the minds of the Ilonggos who know Mabilog pretty well.
All the allegations against Mabilog have not been proven and contrary to reports of agencies concerned like the Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency (PDEA), which has repeatedly cleared Mabilog.
Only the angels in heaven have not descended on earth to tell the president that he is wrong to condemn an innocent man.
Even the pilgrims in Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales will swear to God that Mabilog is not engaged in narco-politics as the President had alleged.

PERSONALITY

Soft-spoken Mabilog doesn't have a gung-ho personality despite the dirty brickbats thrown his way. He doesn't fire back using foul words at critics. Quality of a true, highly-educated and religious leader.
In fact, some supporters have ribbed him for being too soft and kind even to his most trenchant political enemies.
Detractors called him names and a coddler of drug syndicates, Mabilog offered them prayers.
They're lucky Mabilog is not the late Mayor Roding Ganzon who called his persecutors "bastos" (uncivilized) and who fought tongs and hammer with his tormentors, including the late former President Cory Aquino.
He never gave the Mabilog family any shame and scandal and was never involved in any crime when he was younger. Instead, he elevated the pride of his family, the pride of the Ilonggos when he was chosen as the No. 5 city mayor in the world two years ago. He gave all Ilonggos reason to be proud of Iloilo City with all the success the "City of Love" is reaping in terms of infrastructure, economic and tourism development.
The more they pummeled Mabilog with abusive words, the more he lowered his head in submission like a true biblical Christian; the more he gets sympathies from people from all walks of life in the Philippines and abroad who monitor his predicament from Malacanang.
And the world is watching. 

Why they jump ship

"Honor is not the exclusive property of any political party."
--Herbert Hoover

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- When Marcos fell in 1986, many Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) stalwarts jumped ship and were "rescued" by the late former Vice President 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 which fizzled out with his death in 1989.
When Mrs. 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 FVR reigned supreme in 1992, these unprincipled minions hastily formed a beeline to the new ruling Lakas-NUCD party.

REFUGEES

Then came Erap. From KBL, UNIDO, and PDP-Laban, these political grutnols and druggles "fled" like refugees to Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP).
Everyone knows what happened next when Ate Gloria took over: the balimbings, bereft of principle, were again in mad scramble to take oath this time as KAMPI members.
When 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, 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 President 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 appears to be "only the beginning."
Duterte's political party is expected to make a major sweep of the remnants of LP and other coalition parties once his pet program, federalism, takes the center stage.
What does the changing of political bandwagon from one disintegrating political party to another ruling party indicate?

OPPORTUNISM

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 President Duterte.
Many of these politicians have pending graft and corruption cases in courts. Some of them are engaged in protection racket.
Illegal loggers, smugglers, gambling and drug lords financed some of these politicians during elections. If the sitting president will lower the boom, they will find their way to the doldrums like tottering fools.
If they are "outside the kulambo", so to speak, when the new administration beckons, there are strong chances that their slumbering cases will be expedited; and they might end up snoring in the calaboose.
We will wait when Mr. Duterte makes an exit from the Malacanang 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.

No to Martial Law in Visayas

"It is impossible for us to break a law. We can only break ourselves against the law."
--Cecile B. DeMille

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- Please spare the Visayas.
In his arrival speech in Manila from Russia May 24, President Rodrigo Duterte hinted he might also declare Martial Law in Visayas if the situation warrants.
Duterte's statement came hours after he signed a document in Russia placing the entire Mindanao under Martial Law after a band of terrorists belonging to the Maute Group rolled over Marawi City and killed scores of unarmed civilians and cops and damaged government properties on May 23.
They also hostaged a priest and several others while fleeing from scene of the carnage.
The blitzkrieg caught both the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) by surprise.
While many groups, experts, military and civilian leaders supported Mr. Duterte's order in Mindanao, we doubt if he can gather the same sentiments once he includes the Visayas if the Maute Group is not annihilated in Mindanao.

ENTER

The only time that a terrorist group entered the Visayas area was during the Holy Week in April this year when Abu Sayyaf bandits sneaked into Bohol only to be demolished by the government's superior forces before they could inflict mayhem on civilians and government properties.
There was no need for the President to declare Martial Law to nip Abu Sayyaf in the bud in that bloody raid.
Tourism and economy will be badly affected if Visayas is placed under Martial Law.
All the efforts and sacrifices undertaken by our tourism and economic officials these past months will go to waste once military rule is established in the Visayas albeit temporarily.
The Martial Law in Mindanao is only for 60 days, Mr. Duterte asserted, but it could last until the end of his term as president.

MILITARY

Investors are not comfortable with a military rule. Tourists will shy away from our country in general.
In a language understood by ordinary civilians, Martial Law is synonymous to violence. It also means curtailment of their basic rights.
Authorities will, of course, argue that Martial Law is necessary in order to protect the state; or, the interest of the state will always be paramount over the interest of individuals residing in the state.
If Martial Law is "good" for Mindanao in order to restore peace and order and put to total stop all potential terroristic activities by Maute or any Islamic rebellious group, it may be a bane for Visayas, Luzon and the entire country in general.
Mr. Duterte's national security advisers must evaluate and reevaluate the situation thoroughly before making drastic military decisions for Visayas and Luzon.
Congress must also do its share and utilize its constitutionally-mandated powers to help guide the President on this crucial matter.

Thank God for giving us Jhett Tolentino

"Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see." 
--Arthur Schopenhauer
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By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- A Fil-Am doctor from Texas once told a group of sportswriters, including this writer, in Las Vegas that "it will take another 100 years before the Philippines can produce another Manny Pacquiao in boxing."
In musical theater, let me say that 100 years are not enough for Iloilo City to produce another Jhett Tolentino.

The talented JHETT TOLENTINO

Let me say further: thank God for giving Iloilo City and the Philippines Jhett Tolentino.
He is one of a kind. Unassuming and soft-spoken, Tolentino is one of the most intelligent Fil-Ams making waves in American entertainment world today.
If Michael Jordan is considered as the genius of basketball, Jhett Tolentino is the genius of musical theater.
Tolentino is God's gift to the Philippines, now notorious for alleged state-directed EJKs (extra-judicial killings) involving drug pushers and addicts.  

ISSUES

While Iloilo City is being battered by negative issues like "the most shabulized city in the Philippines" and "hometown of (the slain) drug lord Melvin "Boyet" Odicta Sr.", New York City-based producer Tolentino restored the Ilonggo pride by clinching a Grammy award for Best Musical Theater for “The Color Purple” album in Hollywood on February 12, 2017.
The Iloilo-born artist shared the award with fellow producers Stephen Bray, Van Dean, Frank Filipetti, Roy Furman, Joan Raffe, and Scott Sanders; composers Brenda Russel and Allee Willis; and principal soloists Cynthia Erivo, Danielle Brooks, and Jennifer Hudson.
Tolentino's victory was a titanic accomplishment by any producer born and raised in the Philippines. 
No other Filipino producer in recent memory has achieved such international honor.

TONY'S

In fact, Tolentino became only the second Filipino to win a Tony's award in Broadway next to Lea Salonga when he captured three trophies: the first in 2013 for "Vanya and Sonia and Marsha and Spike" which starred Sigourney Weaver; and the two in 2014  as one of the producers of “A Raisin in the Sun” and “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.”
A Raisin in the Sun,” which stars Denzel Washington, and “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” respectively won Best Revival of a Play and Best Musical at the 68th Antoinette Perry (Tony) Awards held at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City on June 8, 2014.
Because of Tolentino's extra-ordinary achievements in the global stage, he has become bigger than life that his name is now synonymous to world class.

Our first Miss Universe's 'Sword of Damocles'

"It's almost not safe to be an artist, the way everybody is randomly picking people to feud with." -- Busta Rhymes

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- How many Filipino beauties have won the Miss Universe title in the past? Are they still alive? How are they doing now? 
Because the Philippines is currently hosting the 2017 Miss Universe, people in other parts of the world might be asking some of these questions in random when they meet a Filipino in their countries.

MISS UNIVERSE 1969 GLORIA DIAZ

If they happen to be in the Philippines as tourists or members of the pageant entourage, they must have already started asking some of these questions.
If Americans, for instance, will ask me all the three questions, I will answer them this: 1. Three, so far. They are Gloria Diaz (1969), Margarita Moran (1973), and Pia Wurtzbach (2016); 2. Yes, they are all still alive--and shining; 3. They are all doing fine; Miss Diaz is still active as movie and TV actress; Miss Moran, who is now Mrs. Moran-Floirendo, is a peace advocate and ballet executive; and Miss Wurtzbach will crown the 65th edition winner on January 30, 2017 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. 

RESOLUTION

Of course I won't tell them that Miss Diaz, 65, had been declared as persona non grata through a resolution by the Vice Mayors' League of the Philippines-Cebu six years ago.
I will tell my readers.
The organization has failed to rescind the resolution it passed on September 1, 2010 supposed to be in deference to the country's hosting of the world famous pageant, which is ongoing, this year.
Apparently she wasn't accorded the benefit of the doubt or the privilege of "immunity from humiliation" due an international celebrity and former beauty queen who gave honors to the country. 
Or they must have overlooked the gaffe. 
Isn't it weird that the first Miss Universe crown holder in the host country has a pending enmity with a group of elected public officials in her own country; and no effort has been made to cross out the ruckus so that Miss Diaz would be shielded from embarrassment?

COMMENT

Miss Diaz's nightmare with the vice mayors league started when she made a "constructive" comment after Miss Universe 2010 fourth runner-up Venus Raj belted the controversial and now famous "major major" pidgin during the Q and A. 
Miss Diaz suggested that Raj and other Filipino contestants perhaps would have strong chances if they utilized the services of an interpreter instead of answering in English.
"Because when you think about a Cebuana can hardly speak English, and, of course, Tagalog. Maybe she should answer in Bisaya," she told ABS-CBN.
Many Cebuanos took umbrage at her statement and accused the beauty queen-turn-actress of insulting their English proficiency.  Cebu politicians joined the outrage and demanded from her an apology. 

SORRY

Miss Diaz, who stood her ground and refused to say sorry, shot back: "Let me clarify it once and for all. People should have the right to say or to answer (questions) in whatever language they want to say it in. If they're Cebuanos, they can say it in Cebuano."
She added: "I did not say that they did not speak English. If you're Ilocano, say it in Ilocano. But if you're Ilocano who speaks good English, say it in English. If you're Cebuano who can speak Spanish, if you're comfortable with Spanish, say it in Spanish. That's what I said and that's what I meant."
When visiting dignitaries, fans and spectators start to think and talk about the Miss Universe winners in the host country, Miss Diaz's name definitely will always occupy the presidential table.
They will talk about how good she has become as a soap opera actress, her awards and honors reaped in her stint in the entertainment and showbiz industry, her love life, her children and family, her health, and, your guess is as good as mine, her involvement in controversies--if there are some.

Mr. Poverty meets Miss Universe

"Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe." 
-- Frederick Douglass

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- It is only the third time in history that the Philippines is hosting the Miss Universe. 
The country also hosted the world's most prestigious pageant in 1974 and 1994. As a host country in today's modern age, we can showcase to the global village our culture, history, tourism, people, way of life, economic pulse through the power of high-tech media. 
Unknown to many people around the world, the Philippines has been "hosting" Mr. Poverty since time immemorial.
In playing host to gigantic international events, the question that has been always badgering the Filipinos is: "Are we a rich country pretending to be poor, or a poor country pretending to be rich?"
Official government statistics showed that more than 26 million Filipinos remain poor with almost half, or a little more than 12 million, living in extreme poverty and lacking the means to feed themselves.
The Filipino poor have families of six or more members, with greater numbers of younger and older dependents, statistics showed.

EDUCATION

In the majority of poor families, the head of household has only an elementary education or below. These families have few or no assets and minimal access to electricity, water sources and toilet facilities. They also have limited access to health and education services,  according to Gil Dy-Liacco, Development Assistance Specialist in USAID/Philippines’ Office of Program Resources Management.
About 26.3 percent of Filipinos were found to be living below the poverty line, a measure of the minimum income required to meet basic food and nonfood needs in the first three months in 2015, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
This translates to about 26.48 million Filipinos, based on the Philippine population in 2015 of 100.7 million.

INCIDENCE

The PSA said national poverty incidence stood at 27.9 percent of the population in 2012. It was at 28.6 percent, practically unchanged from the 2006 figure three years before, of 28.8 percent in 2009.
The 2015 survey also found that 12.1 percent of the population--roughly 12.18 million Filipinos--are living in subsistence or extreme poverty, meaning their earnings are not enough for them to eat three square meals a day.
This, too, the reports added, indicates marginal declines from the three previous years the survey had been taken. In 2006, 14.2 percent of Filipinos lived in extreme poverty; in 2009, the number stood at 13.3 percent, and at 13.4 percent in 2012.

Death sentence for Iloilo mayors in 'narco' list?

"Do I favor the death penalty? Theoretically, I do, but when you realize that there's a four percent error rate, you end up putting guilty people to death." -- Gary Johnson

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW JERSEY -- I bumped off two stories over the weekend to pave the way for an article I deemed to be more urgent and relevant in the heels of President Duterte's speech during the swearing in of several newly-appointed cabinet officials on January 9 in Malacanang.
President Duterte called "narco-politicians" as "dead men walking."
He vowed to kill big time "shabu" dealers, and the next batch, reports quoted him as saying, would be the city and municipal mayors engaged in illegal drugs and whose names he mentioned weeks after he assumed office in July 2016.
I was so alarmed because some of the mayors President Duterte had linked to illegal drugs based on the list provided by his intelligence men were from my place in Western Visayas.  
They were Jed Patrick Mabilog of Iloilo City, Alex Centena of Calinog, Iloilo; Siegfredo Betita of Carles, Iloilo; and Mariano Malones of Maasin, Iloilo.
Except for Betita, the three are known to me personally. Malones was our former business manager in the News Express; Centena is a friend way back in the 80's when he was not yet a public official; and Mabilog is our mayor in Iloilo City.

DEATH LIST

Are they among those included in President Duterte's so-called death list? 
We want to know. We need to know especially because there has been no solid evidence linking them to illegal drugs.
They could only be victims of political black propaganda or vendetta. They were never convicted by any competent court. 
In fact, no formal charges have been filed against them yet. They were vilified, along probably with several others who could be innocent in the Duterte list, without any formal trial. 
What if the president erred or the list he was reading was a sham and contained falsehood? Since July 2016 when their names were disclosed as alleged drug protectors, the government has failed to substantiate the allegations.
Therefore it's premature to condemn them; it's not fair to punish them with a harsh "death sentence" which could become only another case of extra-judicial killing, God forbid.

LAW

While most Filipinos who elected President Duterte in the May 2016 polls support his campaign to stamp out criminality in the country especially the president's "all-out" war policy against illegal drugs, pressures from human rights advocates, including the United Nations and other international organizations, continued to hound the president as dead bodies piled up in the streets.
Most of those killed in "shootouts" with police were drug addicts and small-time peddlers of illegal substance. Their families claimed the dead were victims of summary execution.
The Philippines doesn't have any law on death penalty. Convicted criminals spend time in jail and are not killed. 
If these mayors are executed when their guilt was not yet proven beyond reasonable doubt--and in the absence of any law that supports the death penalty--the president becomes an executioner and violator of the law, not the dead mayors.