Thank God Iloilo doesn’t have a Quiboloy and cult fanatics

“The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.”

—Bertrand Russell

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

THE city and province of Iloilo are lucky because they don’t have an Apollo Quiboloy and obstructive fanatics who will do the cult leader’s bidding even in the most acrimonious and bizarre manner.

With all its glory and prestige in tourism and economy, Iloilo can’t afford to have one now that it has surmounted tremendous challenges and scaled greater heights.

Ilonggos in general have invested a lot to make Iloilo on top and darling of ecotourism and investment opportunities.

Iloilo is blessed to have quality and visionary leaders. Even if they quarrel, Iloilo leaders see to it that the common good of the city and province is always top priority; fanaticism and adherence to strong arm tactics can never rear their unsightly shadows anywhere near the Ilonggos’ cognitive facets.

Ilonggos are law-abiding citizens and aren’t suckers to poor quality and mediocre leadership.

It’s hard to imagine the irreparable damage inflicted on a burgeoning city or province where a violent standoff is brewing between a recalcitrant mob protecting a wanted cult leader and police authorities trying to implement a lawful order.

Like what has been happening in Davao City in Mindanao in the Philippines.

 

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Normally when violence in one city or province dragged on for two or more days and broadcasted “live” on the mainstream and the social media for all the world to watch round-the-clock, the havoc on ecotourism and business industries would be unspeakable.

Investors and tourists think the place needs to be avoided if peace and order isn’t stable and cult followers can stymie a lawful order (the implementation of a legitimate and valid warrant of arrest against several individuals accused of criminal involvement led by a “most wanted person” allegedly hiding in a bunker) and engage law enforcers in dangerous scuffles.

When flights in the airports are canceled and traffic is crippled due to spiraling violence, the uncanny situations will send wrong signals to businessmen and foreign visitors.

While local government and business leaders tirelessly build the city and province, lawless elements, troublemakers and cult fanatics destroy them.

Only because a powerful and moneyed wanted person has refused to submit himself to criminal justice system and, to compound the matter, appeared to be being pampered and tolerated by prominent and influential characters like members of the Duterte family.

Such is the misfortune of the once promising Davao City, which could have been one of the country’s leading favorite tourist destinations and investment hubs if not for the antics and misadventures of Quiboloy and his band of fanatics a.k.a. blind followers.

 

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I received another advisory from Citibank warning me that “scammers are sophisticated.” Here’s the complete information:

Sometimes a basic defense is best. Scammers use many different methods, including technology, impersonation and couriers, attempting to cheat you out of your savings.

While scammers may be increasingly high tech, following these six simple guidelines can help keep your accounts safe no matter how you are targeted.

Legitimate people won't rush you. If someone is rushing you: Stop. Hang up. Call a trusted friend or family member.

Internet search results don't always lead to legitimate business websites. To make sure you're logging into the correct website, check your statements or bills and type in the website. When in doubt: Stop what you're doing. Call the company.

Providing personal identifiers to anyone can jeopardize your identity. If someone asks for your one-time password, PIN, online credentials or SSN: Stop. Hang up. Call your bank.

Citi won't ask you to send money to anyone (think Zelle®, wires, etc.). If someone claiming to be from Citi asks you to send money: Stop. Hang up. Call Citi.

Banks, governments and utilities will never ask for payment through non-conventional methods. If you're asked to do something unusual (like buying gift cards, precious metals or digital currencies), leave your money where it's stored: Stop. Hang up. Call your bank and the authorities.

Gut feelings are there for a reason. If you feel like something isn't right, it probably isn't. Stop. Hang up. Call a trusted friend or family member.

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

Debt of gratitude gone awry

"Let us remember that, as much has been given us; much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips and shows itself in deeds."

—Theodore Roosevelt

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

IT’S hard to blame the very influential and powerful characters in Davao City led by the Duterte family for coddling suspected child sex fiend and wanted person, Apollo Quiboloy, leader of a religious cult.

Especially if we are aware their actuations are motivated by a strong desire to payback a boundless political debt of gratitude.

The Dutertes probably believe debt of gratitude is permanent and not temporary. United we stand, divided we fall.

Thus, they could apparently afford to tolerate the cult leader’s imperfections and, to some extent, alleged criminal acts because of debt of gratitude—even if it would mean crossing the borderlines of reason, decorum, justice, civility, and respect for rule of law and order.

Because of Quiboloy and the support of his Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC), a Restorationist church based in Davao City, the Dutertes have achieved colossal political power not only in Davao City but also in the entire Philippines.

Debt of gratitude made them think it’s OK to exempt Quiboloy from rule of law; that Quiboloy is a demigod (he has been claiming to be a chosen son of God) perched on the shoulders of his (blind) followers.

 

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Debt of gratitude could also be the culprit behind the spooky behaviors exhibited by Messrs. Ronald “Bato Dela Rosa and Robinhood “Robin” Padilla, two of the Duterte and Quiboloy lapdogs in the senate.

There are a few powerful points theologian Dietrich Von Hildebrand has invoked as some insightful things about the virtue of gratitude.

Gratitude means understanding the value of the benefit we have received.

Gratitude also means that we understand the beneficence of the giver-that the gift or service communicates love or regard.

Loving relationships are not based on a tit-for-tat exchange of goods, but they are based on an assurance of mutuality.

In other words, we are able to freely offer ourselves to our loved ones because we know that they will in turn freely offer themselves to us.

Loving is supposed to be about giving and receiving. Gratitude builds loving relationships because it is an assurance of mutuality. It assures us that we are not being used by the other.

Finally, gratitude is supposed to be good for the one who is grateful. Gratefulness is supposed to bring us a sense of wholeness when we complete the circle of giving. Gratitude is supposed to satisfy the debt we sense that we owe for a person’s goodness to us.

The case of the Quiboloy-Dutertes liaison is a debt of gratitude gone awry.

 

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THE U.S. presidential election is nine weeks away. From time to time, we will continue to update our readers with the latest in the rivalry between Vice President Kamal Harris and former President Donald Trump

As of August 25, 2024, The Hill reported that Harris holds a 7-point edge over Trump nationally in a new poll, marking the latest gain for the Democratic presidential candidate as the general election approaches.

A survey from Fairleigh Dickinson University, released last August 23, found Harris leading Trump 50 to 43 percent nationally, while 7 percent said they will vote for someone else.

Trump and Harris fare equally well with voters from their party, each having 95 percent support from their partisans, pollsters found.

With independents who do not lean towards either party, Harris still leads Trump, but by a smaller margin, 38 to 33 percent, the poll found. Harris holds a large lead among self-identified liberals, 87 to 10 percent, along with progressives, 93 to 5 percent, and moderates, 62 to 30 percent.

 

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HE is not yet a celebrity, but Filipino International Master Daniel Maravilla Quizon (2457) continued to make waves in international chess when he recently downed Indian Grandmaster Narayanan, SL (2649) to score 7 points in 9 rounds and tied for first in the 30th Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival Masters in United Arab Emirates on August 24. According to our regular contributor, National Master Marlon Bernardino, Quizon wound up in 6th place after the tie breaks.

Quizon had a performance rating of 2749 beating four strong GMs along the way. He gained an additional rating of 33.3. He needs to up his rating to 2500 to become a full pledge grandmaster. Quizon improved to 2490 from 2457. He also got GM results or GM norms for his efforts.

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

Janette Come Lately

“It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things.”

—Theodore Roosevelt

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

BECAUSE of her no-holds-barred criticism of the Duterte father and daughter, feisty Iloilo 1st district Representative Janette Loreto-Garin has been getting a lot of attention in the national media—and brickbats from detractors—these past weeks.

Critics scored Loreto-Garin’s “aggressiveness” and “political grandstanding” for defending President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his administration against the belligerent Dutertes.

We don’t entirely agree that Loreto-Garin has been engaging in “political grandstanding.” If she did, the Iloilo solon has all the right to do so.

Let’s say she is just being consistent with the values she stands for and her loyalty to President Marcos Jr. who is personal friend of the Loretos (her parents) in Leyte since time immemorial.

Loreto-Garin’s “aggressiveness” (in criticizing the Duterte father and daughter and defending Mr. Marcos Jr.) may have something to do with a desire to correct a wrong, which was an uphill task during the Duterte hegemony.

Loreto-Garin must be thinking she now has the leverage to tell the Dutertes “hey, listen to the wind of change. You no longer own the pistol; therefore, you have no more power to pull the trigger.”   

 

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Also, it could be her own way of lashing back at the Duterte administration for giving her a Sandiganbayan case. Garin had served as health secretary during the administration of the late former President Benigno “Noynoy Aquino III.

She must have thought now is the right time to actively assume the role as “fiscalizer” and, in one way or the other, “even the score” with the past administration.

Loreto-Garin did not have a walk in the park during the Duterte regime. The Office of the Ombudsman indicted Loreto-Garin and four other former health officials for graft and technical malversation in connection with the allegedly anomalous purchase of P3.5 billion worth of Dengvaxia vaccines in 2015.

Samuel Martires, a Duterte appointed ombudsman, and his investigators had filed charges against Loreto-Garin and four other officials at the Sandiganbayan in connection with the procurement of vaccines for the dengue immunization program under Mr. Aquino III. It came under scrutiny especially during the succeeding administration, under Mr. Duterte, following the death of several children who were inoculated with Dengvaxia.

The House deputy majority leader recently minced no words when she blamed the administration of former President Rodrigo “Digong” Roa Duterte for the proliferation of Chinese criminals and criminal syndicates in the Philippines.

 

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Loreto-Garin had also sided with Senator Risa Hontiveros when the senator had a spat with the daughter Duterte during the tension-filled budget hearing for the Office of the Vice President.

“When we have budget briefings and budget deliberations, you look at each line item. Was this used for office supplies? This one for travel? This one for employees? But the discussion segued to other issues that were not within the bounds of what was discussed. So, it was a correct question answered in the wrong way and it mushroomed into many more misunderstandings,” Garin told reporters at the Batasang Pambansa complex.

The lady solon from Guimbal, Iloilo, added: “Maybe there’s malice; someone must have whispered things. That’s why VP Sara felt the issues were too personal. That’s why as government officials, it’s really very important for us to be wary about the sulsuleras and mga marites (gossipers) because these are good to accept and let go if wrong because they will also have their own vested interest. In this case, maybe before she arrived, there were already rumors; that’s why she thinks all questions are politicized.”

In her criticism of the father Duterte, Loreto-Garin boomed: "Alam na naman ng buong mundo na banned at mortal sin at talagang kinukulong at 'yung iba nga eh talagang fina-firing squad sa China and mga involved sa POGO. So, why was this allowed in our country? Bakit ni-legitimized dito sa Pilipinas, parang binuksan...What happened in the previous administration ay buksan 'yung bansang Pilipinas para papasukin 'yung mg wanted naman at illegal sa China."

 

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The Iloilo solon was probably referring to the Executive Order No. 13 Mr. Duterte issued in 2017 allowing Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) to operate outside of ecozones, causing them to grow in number.

Also, in a press conference early this year, Loreto-Garin reminded the former Chief Executive of “responsibility and accountability,” saying Mr. Duterte’s words “carry weight and influence public perception.”

She chided Mr. Duterte to “be mindful of his criticisms and accusations against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, or this can “send the wrong signal” to the local and international community.

“I think, with due respect to former President Duterte, he needs to decipher the proper words to say. Even when he was the president, sometimes, he would make candid jokes, and he forgets that his words become official statements because of his stature as an official,” Garin recalled.

The lawmaker’s reaction came after Mr. Duterte insinuated that Mr. Marcos was merely indulging in leisurely travels during his trips abroad.

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

I was asked to donate $5 after Harris’ acceptance speech

“I think people forget that it doesn't take a big donation to help someone, just a lot of little donations.”

—Hannah Teter

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

SHORTLY after U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the Democratic Party's presidential nomination in a fiery speech in Chicago, Illinois on August 22 night, I received an email from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) which said, “This is critical, Alex Vidal: Vice President Harris just addressed the nation and called on Democrats everywhere to ACT.”

The email further stated: “If we want to win this fall, we must answer her call by delivering a HISTORIC surge of support for Democratic candidates. A coalition of donors will TRIPLE every gift, but their offer is only open for tonight!”

It was only when I read the following message that I realized it was a campaign to raise funds for the Democrats or the party’s presidential and congressional candidates: “Vice President Harris' extraordinary call to action demands an extraordinary response. Please chip in $5 (becomes $15!) to defend the Senate and continue our historic progress.”

I was more interested in the vice president's speech on the last night of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) where Harris formally accepted the Democratic Party's presidential nomination by delivering a forceful speech that laid out her vision for the United States while warning about the possibility of former President Donald Trump returning to the White House.

 

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Other prominent and hard-hitting speakers before Harris’ speech included Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Eva Longoria, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly and former GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger.

Harris recited her life story and background before directly taking on Trump and laying out her position on several hot-button issues, including the war in Gaza, immigration, abortion and more to cap off the fourth and final day of the DNC.

She declared, "I promise to be a president for all Americans. You can always trust me to put country above party and self, to hold sacred America's fundamental principles, from the rule of law to free and fair elections, to the peaceful transfer of power.”

Calling the former president "unserious man," Harris warned of "the consequences of putting (him) back in the White House are extremely serious."

Harris bewailed, "Just imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails and how he would use the immense powers of the presidency of the United States—not to improve your life, not to strengthen our national security—but to serve the only client he has ever had: himself.”

"Consider the power he will have, especially after the United States Supreme Court just ruled that he would be immune from criminal prosecution," Harris continued. "Just imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails and how he would use the immense powers of the presidency of the United States, not to improve your life, not to strengthen our national security, but to serve the only client he has ever had — himself."

 

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Turning to immigration, Harris accused Trump of sabotaging a bipartisan immigration bill that was negotiated in the Senate but failed after Trump came out against it. The bill would have provided billions of dollars in new spending to bolster border security and reform the nation's asylum system.

"But Donald Trump believes a border deal would hurt his campaign. So he ordered his allies in Congress to kill the deal," she said. "Well, I refuse to play politics with our security."

As president, Harris said, she pleaded to "bring back the bipartisan border security bill that he killed. And I will sign it into law."

She continued: "I know we can live up to our proud heritage as a nation of immigrants and reform our broken immigration system. We can create an earned pathway to citizenship — and secure our border."

Harris on Republicans and abortion: "Simply put, they are out of their minds" blaming Trump for the Supreme Court which rolled back Roe v. Wade. Trump appointed three justices to the court, creating a conservative supermajority.

"Donald Trump hand-picked members of the United States Supreme Court to take away reproductive freedom, and now he brags about it," she said.

Harris said Americans have shared stories of miscarrying in a parking lot, getting sepsis and losing the ability to have children again.

"This is what is happening in our country because of Donald Trump," she said, warning "he is not done." She said that he would limit access to birth control, ban medication abortion, enact a nationwide ban on abortion and force states to report on women's miscarriages and abortions. "Simply put, they are out of their minds," she said.

 

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Harris said she and Biden are working to end Israel-Hamas war, calls situation in Gaza "devastating."

Harris said she and Mr. Biden are "working around the clock" to get a hostage and cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas.

"I will always stand up for Israel's right to defend itself," she said. "I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself."

But she said what has happened in Gaza during the 10-month war is "devastating."  "So many innocent lives lost," she said. "Desperate, hungry people, fleeing for safety, over and over again. The scale of suffering is heartbreaking."

Harris wrapped up her nomination speech, calling on Americans to "write the next great chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told."

"It is now our turn to do what generations before us have done," she said. "Guided by optimism and faith, to fight for this country we love, to fight for the ideals we cherish and to uphold the awesome responsibility that comes with the greatest privilege on Earth — the privilege and pride of being an American."

"So let's get out there," she said. "Let's fight for it."

Harris was joined on stage by her family and vice presidential nominee Tim Walz's family as red, white and blue balloons fell from the ceiling. A convention official said more than 100,000 balloons were prepared for the moment.

The convention soon ended with a benediction, bringing the 2024 DNC to a close.

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