The Trump mugshot

“Every time you walk down the street people are screaming, 'You're fired!'” —Donald Trump

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

IF I don’t write about the Donald Trump rigmarole when history is unfolding and the whole world is agog over it, I will be committing a big injustice for journalism especially if some readers expect me to chronicle the ongoing political saga riveting the United States nowadays and this important piece of information is missing in my articles.

Thus, there is a necessity for this subject matter to be in the driver’s seat now that the 77-year-old former president of the United States is expected to surrender at the notorious Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia on August 24, Thursday (Friday in the Philippines).

Unlike in Mr. Trump’s three previous indictments which I opted to skip for the more interesting issues in the Philippines, this one is unique since everyone has been anticipating whether he will be treated differently owing to his stature. It is really about the mugshot. 

Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat has indicated publicly that the former president would be treated differently in Atlanta than he has during his past three arraignments—but just the same as any other criminal defendant being processed into the county criminal justice system. “It doesn’t matter your status,” Labat said at a press briefing. ”We have a mugshot ready for you.

 

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In his previous cases, authorities didn't require mugshots—which are typically taken so authorities have a current photo on hand to post publicly if a suspect becomes a fugitive−-because the former president is so widely recognized. Mr. Trump was fingerprinted, however.

Even though Trump did not have a mug shot taken during processing in his first three criminal cases, his campaign for the 2024 presidential election created one for fundraising purposes.

The day will be historic since it will be the first time that a former US president will be subjected to mugshot in a process known as booking.

Mr. Trump and his 18 co-defendants accused of trying to steal the 2020 presidential election in Georgia are expected to be booked at the Fulton County Jail on Rice Street in downtown Atlanta in the current case.

The facility has a history of poor conditions and bad management, and it often takes several hours for defendants to be processed into the system, according to USA Today’s Josh Meyer.

 

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The leading GOP presidential candidate in the November 2024 election likely won't stay there long given his stature and the worldwide attention being paid to the case.

Meyer said defendants typically who get booked at the county jail are searched, weighed, undergo a brief medical screening, get fingerprinted and have their photo--or mug shot--taken. 

Because it's anything but typical for a former president to be booked, it's not clear what the booking process will be like for Mr. Trump and some of his high-profile co-defendants, including his former White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows.

“We’re in uncharted waters at this point,” Chris Timmons, a former prosecutor and now a law partner at Knowles Gallant Timmons in Atlanta, told CNN. 

“We haven’t had a former United States president or anyone with Secret Service protection booked into the Fulton County jail.”

Mr. Trump confirmed Monday on his Truth Social platform that he’s going to Atlanta on August 23 to face law enforcement officials. 

In the post, he accused Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Department of Justice officials of seeking to target his 2024 reelection campaign without evidence.

Those booked in Fulton County typically are reportedly required to appear before a judge within 72 hours. But, according to USA Today, attorneys for some of the defendants have said publicly that they won’t have initial court appearances because they’ve already been indicted and will mostly likely have negotiated their bond ahead of time.

After the former president surrenders to Fulton County authorities Thursday, he will be released from custody in Georgia under an already agreed-upon set of conditions, including a $200,000 bond, according to an NBC news.

Mr. Trump will be prohibited from doing anything a judge could interpret as an effort to intimidate co-defendants or witnesses or “otherwise obstruct the administration of justice” as part of the conditions.

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

 

 

 

 

 

Classroom shortage but abundance in ‘intel’ funds?

 

“As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest.”

—Nelson Mandela

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

WHAT greeted the school children and those involved in public elementary and high school education this year was an outrageous and calamitous shortage of classrooms all over the Philippines.

Not hundreds, but thousands of classrooms in the provinces, cities, and municipalities from Aparri to Jolo.

This is shocking and unacceptable because we actually have sufficient funds to build not just classrooms but also school buildings. 

If we have funds for the ambitious multi-billion bridges and highways, we surely have more than enough for the classrooms and school buildings.

Where did the funds that would have long ago solved this lingering and exasperating problem in our public education go?

Either they were not used efficiently, diverted to other non-essential things, wasted in inconsequential matters, or siphoned off to the pockets of rapacious and dishonest Department of Education (DepEd) officials past and present?

We are a rich country pretending to be poor. 

We have a quality system but one that is managed by incredible and incompetent public officials in a lousy and decrepit bureaucratic apparatus. 

 

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We have abundance of money but is channeled somewhere else—in the pathetic and appalling “intelligence fund” which is at the beck and call of the DepEd secretary.

They may remove all the classroom decorations—including the chalks and blackboards if they so desire—but, please, leave the funds needed to build more classrooms and other school materials alone. 

In just two years, that “intelligence fund” has reportedly ballooned to more or less P1 billion or P500 million each year as per the request by the DepEd boss. 

This is unprecedented, scandalous, unwise, and sickening. In the movies, we frown upon this gross display of splendor. In real life, we puke at the magnitude of its lavishness.

It could reach to P5 billion if the spineless Congress (the solons, not the institution) will continue to slumber excessively and act like monkeys who see, hear, and say nothing (for fear of political reprisal?).

The disparity in the spending preference and priority is itself a big injustice; and it betrays the lack of delicadeza and accountability on the part of those wanting to have access on the controversial funds, the coveted cookie jars not covered by any audit report.

 

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Raking in P500 million to P1 billion in “intelligence fund” which, in truth and in reality, not really necessary for a department that handles and promotes learning of the students in the formative years, is tantamount to abuse of authority and being insensitive to the plight of the poor.

It becomes more cruel and despicable when we see the students suffer from neglect and mismanagement, while the DepEd official or officials live like queens and wealthy nobles.

Allowing the public pupils to suffer from the apathy, laziness, cowardice, feebleness, incompetence, negligence, and corruption of the public officials who have sworn to protect the welfare and interest of the taxpayers—including the public elementary and high schools students now absorbing the brunt of this skullduggery—is tantamount to tolerating educational, mental, and emotional genocide.

 

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August 21 in the United States marked the 6th Commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism. 

The United States Department of State said the US stood with the global community of victims, families, survivors, and communities who have been impacted by the scourge of terrorism.

“The effects of terrorism are long-lasting and tragic. Victims of terrorism must remain at the forefront of efforts to provide them with the justice and support they deserve,” it declared in a statement. 

“The United States and its international partners have made great strides in detecting and disrupting terrorist attacks, diminishing terrorist recruitment, and denying terrorists support. We are committed to preventing future attacks and to hold terrorists to account for their crimes. We pay solemn tribute to those who lost their lives in terrorist attacks, and we will never forget the victims of terrorism or stop our pursuit of justice and peace.”

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

 

NYC subway fare hike: Why I don’t have any complain

 

“The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls and tenements halls and whispered in the sounds of silence.”

— Paul Simon

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

EFFECTIVE August 20, Sunday, New York City subway fares will jump from $2.75 to $2.90, a 5.5 percent increase as approved by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), a public benefit corporation responsible for public transportation in the New York City metropolitan area of the New York State, in July this year.
While many “worried” commuters have expressed frustrations and blasted the increase in formal letters and in the social media, I did not. And I wouldn’t.

I thought it’s about time. The proposed fare increase had been thoroughly and sufficiently explained to us commuters. 

In the last quarters of 2020 and in 2021 when the pandemic was still terrorizing us (New York City’s Elmhurst community where I lived was COVID-19’s epicenter of the epicenter), MTA gave us free rides around New York City in the buses and, sometimes, in the subway.

I was one of the those who availed the free rides not just for several months, but for a long time—more than a year, more or less. As a regular commuter from Queens to Brooklyn via Manhattan vice versa, I was able to save a lot.

 

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Even if we had no regular work at that time due to pandemic restrictions, I “abused” my free ride privileges by going to the Rockaway Beach regularly, among other “safer” destinations and to stroll around Midtown Manhattan.

New Yorkers, or US residents for that matter, were among the most pampered in the world during the horrific period of COVID-19 because of the abundance of freebies. 

Aside from the boxes of food supplies that “knocked” on our doors every week, the federal and state governments, through the Department of Labor, also subsidized us with $800 to $1,200 each a week. Plus the free bus and sometimes subway rides. So why will I go ballistic for the slight subway ride increase?

Now that MTA has announced and approved a fare hike, I thought by not opposing it was my own way of paying back the government—the MTA—for its “kindness” via the joy rides in 2020 and 2021.

I thought instead of bellyaching, I should “count my blessings” and pay them forward.

 

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Today, I spend $5.5 when I take the subway from Queens to my workplace in Manhattan every Tuesday morning, and another ride back from Manhattan to Queens every Monday morning during my off day. From my apartment to the mall where I spend my off day, I take the bus for another $2.75 for a total of $8.25 per week. In one month, my budget for the subway and bus rides is $33 or P1,815 in Philippine money.

With the recent fare increase, I will now prepare $34.8 or P1,914 in 

Philippine money for a month. With an increase of $1.8, I think it’s not practical to go against the fare increase, modesty aside. 

Instead of bellyaching, I just “count my blessings” in return.

The New York Post has reported that as the long-dreaded MTA bus and subway fare hikes take effect August 20, New York City commuters are on the express train to frustrated.

“The trains are not reliable. The subway is nothing for New Yorkers to be proud of,” Kayla Vasquez, 25, an art teacher from Manhattan who took a train Friday night to see friends in Brooklyn, was quoted by The Post as saying.

“We’re already paying more everything from our food to our rent,” Vasquez said. “I already live paycheck to paycheck. I’ve already cut out all the Ubers. Now I don’t know what is left to cut.”

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

 

It’s ‘not right’ for 264 solons to expel Teves

“For there is no defense for a man who, in the excess of his wealth, has kicked the great altar of Justice out of sight.”

—Aeschylus

 

By Alex P. Vidal 

 

I DON’T believe that the 264-1-3 (yes-no-abstain) votes registered by members of the House of Representatives on August 16 to expel fellow member, Arnulfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. of Third District, Negros Oriental, was a right decision.

(The number was originally 265, but former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, incumbent representative of Davao del Norte’s first district, had reportedly asked House officials to change the vote count to reflect his “no” vote.)

It should be 1-264-3 (a reverse) or 0-268-0 (all nay). 

Or they should not have agreed whether to vote for Teves’ expulsion.

In my opinion, the expulsion was not only harsh, but also unfair and undemocratic.

“Unfair” because the basis for his eviction was hogwash: “Disorderly behavior and for violation of the Code of Conduct of the House of Representatives” (for dancing in the social media wearing shorts? Do all TikTokers have to do it in a dress code?). 

The House panel had also cited as basis of Teves' expulsion his continued absence without leave and his pursuit of political asylum in Timor-Leste. It said such acts are as good as abandonment of public office.

Instead of expulsion, why not ask Teves to tender a courtesy resignation if he really made a move to seek a political asylum? They should have let him explain first.

If he would admit that he officially filed the papers for political asylum in Dili, Timor-Leste’s capital, Congress, where he held office, should have given him the benefit of the doubt and reviewed his claims in the application. 

Did the House panel peruse Teves’ asylum documents before yanking him out?

 

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There has been no public admission from Teves about the political asylum brouhaha. 

Even if he denied it despite the claim of the Department of Justice (DoJ), his denial would still be subjected to further scrutiny by the House panel before deciding to lower the boom.

(When we are accused of committing an act inimical to public interest or violating any law, it’s our constitutional right to invoke the right against self-incrimination.)

It’s called due process. Listen before you condemn. After all, Teves is not an ordinary employee but their co-equal in the Lower Chamber of the 19^th Congress.

“Undemocratic” because Teves is an elected public official. It was the people of the third congressional district of Negros Oriental that gave him the majestic mandate to represent them in congress.

He’s not an appointed public official who serves at the pleasure of the appointing official like in the cabinet.

Unless found guilty and convicted by a competent court for a serious crime that would render him unfit or ineligible to hold a public office, no authority can forfeit or supersede the supreme power of the people’s mandate in a democratic context. 

While public officials are expected to adhere to the highest standards of ethics and integrity, a mere “violation” of code of conduct shouldn’t invalidate the will of the people bestowed upon certain individuals elected as public servants.

Also, Teves, despite his notoriety and awful public reputation, is still presumed innocent until proven otherwise in the three murder cases the DoJ recently filed against him. (We know this was not officially one of the bases for his eviction).

He may be a suspected mastermind in the gruesome massacre that killed nine people, including Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo on March 4, 2023, but, again, no formal charges have been filed against him in relation to the massacre yet; and he has not been found guilty in a fair trial.

The jarring and tyrannous verdict to kick out an elected member in the national legislature based on unproven accusations and biased public outrage will go down in history as one of the most grotesque and absurd moves by the Philippine House of Representatives.

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

 

Why they are all afraid of Sara Duterte-Carpio

 “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.”

—Plato

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

ANYBODY who can name a Filipino politician today—especially an incumbent mayor, governor, representative, senator—that is not afraid of Vice President Sara “Inday Sara” Duterte-Carpio, is either was born only yesterday, or didn’t study or follow the incredible Philippine politics in the last 12 years.

Twelve years ago, Mrs. Duterte-Carpio, who concurrently sits as Department of Education (DepEd) secretary, hogged the headlines when, as mayor of Davao City in Mindanao, punched several times a court sheriff in full view of residents and reporters for ignoring her request to delay the demolition of the houses owned by informal settlers in one village.

But that’s not the main reason why we think most incumbent politicians today shake in their boots when they deal with the daughter of the most feared president to ever hold office in Malacanang.

It’s because of her maiden name: Duterte.

We all know that if she was not the daughter of her father and at that time the highest elected politician in Davao City, then Mayor Duterte-Carpio wouldn’t even dare to chide the court sheriff in public. 

Many Filipino politicians are really showy and behave like brats in public—especially when they aspire for higher elective positions in government.

 

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In the case of Mrs. Carpio-Duterte, it is rumored that even her own loquacious and hard-hitting father is afraid of her. 

Just take a look at how she behaved and listen to the words she’d spoken days before announcing she was running for vice president alongside then standard bearer and now President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Father Duterte, who wanted the daughter to shoot straight for the presidency, couldn’t stop the daughter from “demoting” herself as she settled for the vice presidency.

But let’s go straight to the point without beating the bush. What are or were the signs that apparently the present set of politicians holding national portfolios are “afraid” of the vice president?

Simple. Vice President Duterte-Carpio gets what she wants in this present administration. 

Even without dancing like Salome, she could demand for the beheading of not only one but many John the Baptists.

Already the Office of the Vice President has successfully amassed P150 million worth of “intelligence fund” in 2022. As if the initial amount of taxpayers money being inappropriately set aside wasn’t horrifying, to say the least, Mrs. Duterte-Carpio’s office again was able to collect P500 million in “intelligence fund”, among other expenses, this year.

To make the badly abused taxpayers puke some more, the Office of the Vice President is again reportedly proposing the same amount (P500 million) for “intelligence fund”, among other expenses, in 2024.

And we haven’t discussed yet the gargantuan and shocking budget she asked and got as DepEd secretary for the same dog: “intelligence fund”, which, luckily, is now slowly (and let’s hope the worried senators can sustain it) gathering some storm of scrutiny in the legislature.  

 

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Vice President Duterte-Carpio got the windfall or managed to wrap up the “pennies from heaven” for her office with ease sans any desolation and opposition.

It’s because, as what the title of this article has emphasized, “they are all (apparently) afraid of Sara Carpio-Duterte.”

If they are vigilant and intrepid, the lawmakers, through check and balance, have the power and authority to derail if not stop this wanton abuse and “waste” of the taxpayers money by the Office of the Vice President and DepEd under Mrs. Duterte-Carpio via the guise of “intelligence fund” that is not covered by any audit report. 

Without the Commission on Audit prying over the intelligence fund, it was feared that past beneficiaries of this ridiculous expenditure were able to enrich themselves by pocketing a hefty portion of the total budget. This is reportedly an old practice that is only being revived by unscrupulous public officials.

During the House and Senate budget committee hearings, the lawmakers can squeeze the vice president and stop her on her tracks. 

The problem is most of them are adamant and afraid to subject the vice president and DepEd secretary to a thorough questioning. We miss Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Joker Arroyo, Nene Pimentel, Ninoy Aquino, and other bombastic legislative gatekeepers and “curators” of public funds.

We aren’t saying that the vice president will steal the money, but there’s a saying that if the rat is laughing at the cat, it’s because there’s a hole nearby. 

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

 

‘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)

 

Iloilo airport upgrade ‘snub’: Marcos Jr.’s way of showing who’s the boss?

“I reward loyalty with loyalty. I reward disloyalty with distance.”

—Anonymous

 

By Alex P. Vidal 

 

IF President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. “intentionally” missed out Iloilo Airport for upgrade in the 2024 budget for infrastructure development of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), he could be sending a curt message to Ilonggos, who preferred former Vice President Leni Robredo over him during the May 9, 2022 presidential election.

It must still be difficult for Mr. Marcos Jr. to move on and forgive the Ilonggos who gave Robredo 1,940,183 votes or 47.90 percent against Marcos Jr.’s 1,516,464 votes or 37.44 percent in Western Visayas.

Other than this election humiliation, we don’t see any other reason or reasons why the Marcos Jr. administration would continue to give the Ilonggos a cold shoulder treatment.

Other than politics, we don’t remember people in Iloilo, or Western Visayas for that matter, having offended Mr. Marcos Jr. that would make him “retaliate” via the non-sharing of a piece of major infrastructure pie to the Ilonggos. 

While other lesser-known airports in the country stand to benefit from the Marcos Jr. administration’s repair and upgrade largesse in 2024, Iloilo Airport, the fifth busiest airport in the Philippines in 2022, will get zero.  

President Marcos Jr. mentioned the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island (PGN) Bridges Project in his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA) to be included in his administration’s P8.3 trillion “Build Better More” Program, but the bridges project had been conceptualized a long time ago—starting in the three previous administrations.

But the Iloilo Airport is already in existence and only needs upgrading as an international standard.

 

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To add insult, it was only in March 2023, as reported by the Daily Guardian, that Iloilo City Mayor Geronimo “Jerry” Treñas raised to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) the exclusion of the Iloilo airport from the list of key projects of the current administration.

Treñas reportedly asked NEDA to include the Iloilo airport in the list of priority projects because of its growing flight and passenger numbers.

According to the Daily Guardian, Treñas stressed the need to continue pushing for the upgrading and development of the airport, which is classified by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) as an international facility.

“We need to continue pushing for the development of our international airport since it is now overcrowded. If it is expanded, we can accommodate more flights and more visitors,” the city mayor was quoted as saying.

The Daily Guardian reported further: “Apart from the P2.8 billion in fresh funding for the upgrading of Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s (NAIA) aviation infrastructure, the following airports were included in the DOTr’s proposed budget for the construction of various airports and navigational facilities: Kalibo International Airport (P581 million); Laoag International Airport (P500 million); Tacloban Airport (P500 million); New Dumaguete Airport (P500 million); Busuanga Airport (P405 million); New Zamboanga International Airport (P300 million); New Manila International Airport (P200 million); Bukidnon Airport (P120 million); ands New Bohol Airport (P97 million).”

Did Treñas’ appeal fell on deaf ears—again, because of politics?

 

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AS we feared earlier, the death toll from the Maui wildfires has climbed to 93, as authorities work to identify victims of the deadliest US wildfire in more than 100 years. Hawaii has a robust emergency siren warning system, but it sat silent as people fled for their lives, CNN has reported.

How did the fires start? It’s still unclear exactly what triggered the wildfires across the islands, but the spread of flammable nonnative grasses combined with hurricane-stoked winds could have been factors.

Fires were burning across multiple Hawaiian islands. The town of Lahaina on the island of Maui has suffered widespread damage, and historic landmarks across the island are in danger. 

Thousands of residents and visitors have been forced to evacuate. Many organizations were accepting donations to help those affected by the wildfires, while airlines have started offering fares as low as $19 to get people off the island.

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