Korea won’t abandon the Ilonggos—unlike China

“You can't put abandonment and alienation under arrest.”

—Carrie P. Meek

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

UNLIKE China, which abandoned its commitment to help build the Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) Island bridges project in 2020 when it probably realized it was no longer necessary to please the subservient Duterte administration, South Korea is expected to follow through with its commitment to finish the multi-billion-peso infrastructure project.

The Koreans are known for their unique values; they have obedience to family, hard work, protection of the family, and proper decorum among family members. And it is still important for them, even in the modern world.

By forging a commitment to support the bridges project, the Koreans will no longer allow our public officials to be embarrassed as they consider their Filipino partners in this huge project to be part of family.

Even local officials then—mostly from Guimaras Province—ended up red faced for constantly announcing to the press they were certain construction of the expensive bridges was to begin before former President Rodrigo Duterte’s term would end in 2022.

We had been taken for a ride. When China left, Korea came in.

 

-o0o-

 

After all, PGN Island Bridges project was part of the Philippine government's National Islands-Link Projects and ballyhooed as part of Mr. Duterte's Build! Build! Build! program that supposedly consisted of two bridges the 2.7 km (1.7 mi) Panay–Guimaras Bridge (Phase I) and the 4.8 km (3.0 mi) Panay–Guimaras Bridge (Phase II).

Under the original plan, a third phase connecting Negros and Cebu islands with a 8 km (5.0 mi) was also earlier proposed and its construction was supposed to start early 2019 to be funded by the Chinese government through a grant.

After all the earsplitting and cacophonous noises and bluster, the Chinese investors junked the project in 2020 and offered no concrete explanation that would justify the mysterious dereliction.

By a stroke of fate, the Philippine government negotiated in May 2022 an alternative proposal from South Korean government for the PGN Island Bridges, which is now being finalized under the new Marcos Jr. administration.

To be funded via Korea Eximbank, the dream project underwent another feasibility study involving Yooshin Engineering with Kyong-Ho Engineering and Architects, Dohwa Engineering, Soosung Engineering and Dasan Consultants.

 

-o0o-

 

According to a series of reports released recently about the bridge construction, the Section A or the Panay–Guimaras portion's construction is projected to start in mid-2025 and finished by the end of June 2028.

Section B or the Guimaras–Negros portion is scheduled for completion by 2030 and whole project including the connecting roads is estimated to cost ₱189 billion.

When China abandoned the project, it nearly dashed to pieces the hopes of Ilonggos who were hoping a miracle would finally arrive after being hoodwinked by the previous Cory, FVR, Erap, Gloria, P-noy administrations into believing the construction “would start soon.”

Unsuspecting Ilonggos believed hook, line, and sinker when assured by the previous Duterte administration that two multi-billion peso infrastructure projects in the Visayas and Mindanao were “now ready to be financed by the government of China after the feasibility studies have been completed” in October 2019.

The Ilonggos’ false hopes were abetted by then Public Works Secretary and now Senator Mark Villar, who revealed his meeting with then Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce and International Trade Representative Wang Shouwen where they supposedly exchanged the handover certificates for the Panay-Guimaras bridge and the Davao City Expressway project.

CCC Highway Consultants Co. Ltd. Reportedly did both feasibility studies for the P27.1-billion Panay-Guimaras bridge and the P25.6-billion Davao City Expressway.

The exchange of documents was reportedly done on the sidelines of a high-level meeting between Philippine and Chinese economic ministers in Manila sometime in October 2019.

“The process of loan financing for the projects may now begin,” they falsely declared.

 

-o0o-

 

HIGH RUBBER CONTENT. When our running shoes are worn beyond use, let's not throw them away. Because of their high rubber content and the fact that rubber is easily recyclable, old sneakers are now being used to make new sports surfaces. Nike is one brand that operates this function by producing its Nike Grind material.

OLD TOOTHBRUSH. Let's not throw away our old toothbush; let's use it to clean tricky-to-reach areas like the caulking between floor and wall tiles and the area around bathroom faucets. Often a little more elbow grease will do the trick without resorting to harsh cleaners.

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

 

 

 

 

 

Showbiz-nate? Why not?

“Comedians and impressionists used to be two different showbiz animals entirely, but now there's no such thing as a comedian who doesn't do impressions.”

—John Podhoretz

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

WE must welcome the likes of Philip Salvador, Willie Revellame, Manny Pacquiao, Robin Padilla, Lito Lapid, Jinggoy Estrada, among other comedians and stuntmen in the Philippine Showbiz-nate.

Times have changed, and we change with them.

If there is one thing the Filipinos should be proud of, it’s their being consistent in the eyes of the world in always electing sports and entertainment characters both in the lower and upper chambers of the national legislature.

Consistency is a solid identity. Identity—and being unique—is strength.

No other Southeast Asian—or even Asian—country for that matter holds the same distinction like that of the Philippines in as far as giving electoral mandate to serve as lawmakers to gung ho and run-of-the-mill personalities with incredulous cock and bull backgrounds.  

As the oft-repeated slogan states, “Only in the Philippines.” Unique, interesting, colorful, entertaining, and enthralling!

Here’s a situation where our supposed embarrassment becomes our leverage and muscle.

They are actually in the right place at the right time—those reality TV and social media show and sitcom ruffians.

If the senate, or showbiz-nate, will be packed once again with noontime TV show hosts, movie action stars, basketball and boxing stars, cult fanatics, TikTokers, traffic enforcers, coffeemakers, macho dancers, bodyguards, Filipinos hold your heads up high and be counted.

 

-o0o-

 

At least that’s how the people around the world will always remember who we are and what kind of voters have we become.

No need for them to look anywhere else. Presto, just Google the Philippines and the country’s electoral system, as well as the Filipinos’ temerity to choose nondescript legislators.

If Robin Padilla and his ilk will continue to transform the showbiz-nate into a bullfighting arena and “live” comedy bar, it’s because they are delegated and programmed to act that way.

The system provides and promotes the mechanism for Padilla and his fellow scumbags to institutionalize idiocy and skullduggery right in the august halls of showbiz-nate and nobody and nothing can halt them. So instead of being embarrassed and distressed, sit down and relax; let’s accept this gnawing reality.

That’s the “beauty” of our constitution. Anybody has the opportunity to serve in the legislative body through the electoral process. The right to be elected in congress or in showbiz-nate is not limited to the elite or the holders of PhD and masters degrees.

The constitution allows even ordinary individuals, including the misfits and scoundrels, to sit in congress or showbiz-nate and legislate laws. Ditto for other national, regional, and local positions where the candidacies of boorish, vulgar, uncultured punks are footloose and untrammeled.

The caveat is, if we elect quality legislators, we get quality laws. If we elect shoddy and rotten legislators, we get rotten and shoddy laws.

 

-o0o-

 

No one can tell what will happen next after news spread around the world as reported by Vatican February 22 that Pope Francis was in critical condition after suffering a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis while being treated for pneumonia and a complex lung infection.

As Catholics, we join the millions of faithfuls around the world in praying—and hoping—that the Supreme Pontiff will withstand the terrible ailment and survive.

Pope, 88, reportedly remained conscious and received “high flows” of oxygen to help him breathe. He also received blood transfusions after tests showed low counts of platelets, which are needed for clotting, the Vatican said in a late update.

“The Holy Father’s condition continues to be critical, therefore, as explained yesterday (Friday), the pope is not out of danger,” the statement said. It was the first time “critical” had been used in a written statement to describe Francis’ condition since he was hospitalized Feb. 14.

The statement also said that the pontiff “continues to be alert and spent the day in an armchair although in more pain than yesterday.” Doctors declined to offer a prognosis, saying it was “reserved.” Let’s continue to pray for Pope Francis.

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

 

 

 

A journalist must be independent and credible

“The press is a watchdog. Not an attack dog. Not a lapdog. A watchdog. Now, a watchdog can’t be right all the time. He doesn’t bark only when he sees or smells something that’s dangerous. A good watchdog barks at things that are suspicious.”

—Dan Rather

 

 By Alex P. Vidal

 

WE will always take the critical side when discussing issues about the government—especially the corrupt and bad government.

Our main objective is plain and simple check and balance, or acting as “Big Brothers” to the powerful and influential.

Our society needs a critical press to maintain balance, transparency and accountability because it is the government that calls the shot when it comes to disposition and handling of taxpayers’ money.

We need a critical press to review and check what’s going on; to mirror, inform or report to the public how public funds are managed and spent by those in power—elected or appointed public officials and their subalterns.

Public funds will always be the lifeblood and paramount assets of government.

It must be spent wisely and properly; public funds shouldn’t be wasted and stolen by those who are supposed to manage and safeguard them.

 

-o0o-

 

Our role as critical journalists is to remind the crooks in government that “hey, somebody is watching. Your actions and activities are under close scrutiny and will be reported to the public.”

Critical means we must constantly remind our public officials—and chide them, if necessary, if they commit infractions or activities that are inimical to public interest and display actuations that expose them to scandal and compromise their image and functions basically as public servants.

We come in, so to speak, when public officials are on the brink of plunging into the abyss of moral turpitude.

That’s why the journalists—as watchdogs and “fiscalizers”—should be first and foremost also credible and knowledgeable.

If the watchdogs and “fiscalizers” are scoundrels and “fixcalizers”, they aren’t credible to handle and perform the responsibility of being investigative, confrontational and adversarial, which is what every democratic society needs.

Journalists who can be bribed are no better than the crooks in government the press is supposed to rebuke and expose.

Two wrongdoers—crooks in government and rascal journalists—means a total chagrin and gradual setback for Juan de la Cruz.

 

-o0o-

 

Basically, a committed and principled journalist should avoid many friends in the political circle.

The more political friends a journalist acquires, the less he becomes effective as “catalyst of change.”

A genuine journalist is an ironclad gadfly of democracy, not an attack dog, lap dog or double-edged political mercenary.

At least this was how my mind as remnant of the original post-Martial Law years College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) member has been shaped and trained.

This was how I cultivated my principle when I became seriously involved in community journalism immediately after the EDSA Revolution, when press freedom and free speech were slightly and sardonically restored.

For my part, I would rather criticize than praise; I prefer to be hated as a critical journalist than to be praised (mostly by politicians) as a merchant of “praise release.” Everything boils down to walang personalan, trabaho lang.

Socrates said wisdom begins in wonder. I say journalism begins by being suspicious without being malicious, and in constructive—not destructive—criticism.

 

-o0o-

 

Off to Bed-Stuy in Brooklyn, New York City we will go on February 21 where eggs will be given away.

According to the information we received February 20, FarmerJawn, Prince Abou's Butchery and Triple J Farm will be offering a total of 100 dozen free eggs.

In an Instagram post, the two farms and butchery said in part, "Working people are the backbone of our communities, yet too often, relief isn’t made for us. So we’re doing what we can to pitch in."

The egg giveaway will reportedly start at 10 a.m. at Brown Butter Craft Bar & Kitchen on 413 Tompkins Ave.

There will also be 100 dozen free eggs given away in Queens and Philadelphia, it was announced earlier.

Is the much-ballyhooed 2025 egg shortage in the U.S. real? Yes it is. And soaring prices aren't going away anytime soon, as families and restaurants alike are struggling to purchase them. Why are egg prices going up, anyway?

There are several factors as to why eggs are so expensive right now. Here's what we know based on information from the United States Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and more:

The commercial table egg layer flocks suffered a depopulation of birds due to outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in December 2024 and continues into the first six weeks of 2025, according the USDA.

"The impact of these losses in the marketplace continues to be influenced by the timing of the losses relative to demand patterns, the type of production systems affected, legislated restraints in certain states, and the intended use of the production either for in-shell or egg products use with most impact currently being felt in the retail cartoned sector," the report stated.

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

 

 

It’s OK to kill all the lawyers but not the sin-nators?

“Since we all know that death is inevitable, I don't really see the difference between dying now and dying a decade later. So if I'm threatened with assassination, I welcome it!”

—Miriam Defensor-Santiago

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

NOT all lawyers are despicable, but almost majority of the senators (at least in the Philippines) we always referred to as “sin-nators” are not only tainted by chicanery but are also shady and corrupt.

And it’s okay to threaten to “kill all the lawyers,” according to a character called Dick the Butcher in Act IV, Scene II of William Shakespeare’s Henry VI, Part II, which was written between 1596 to 1599, and not the sin-nators?

Killing is murder and is a crime per se; it shouldn’t be promoted or dangled as a form of punishment in any civilized country.

If we are going to hold the swaggering Citizen Digong accountable for his threat to kill the 15 senators (mostly allied with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.), which was only a “joke” according to his defenders, then why the lawyers in the 16th century weren’t up in arms against the Bard of Avon (this was how Shakespeare was known) for “threatening” to exterminate all those involved in the legal profession?

The answer is simple: Shakespeare’s version of “let’s kill” was not considered a crime because it's a fictional line spoken by a villainous character in a play.

And it was meant to represent the chaotic and destructive nature of a rebellion, not a literal call to violence against lawyers; it's often interpreted as a commentary on the importance of law and order by showing what would happen without it, essentially praising the role of lawyers in society.

 

-o0o-

 

Citizen Digong’s version was complicated, controversial and downright cryptic, especially that he is a notorious major player in the brutal summary execution of thousands of Filipinos during the dark years of the campaign against illegal drugs.

It can be misinterpreted by his legions of myopic-minded die-hards who might be persuaded to translate the “joke” into something we dread to imagine happening given his status as a political demigod.

To begin with, the quote, “The first thing we do is, let’s kill all the lawyers”, was real and not a myth; it wasn’t a misquoted aphorism.

Approximately 400 years after Shakespeare’s death, this pithy phrase, according to Olivia Rutigliano, has become one of his most famous witticisms, appropriated often to disparage the legal profession, or at least acknowledge the ubiquitous caricature of the crooked, overpriced, counselor.

Rutigliano wrote in LITHUB that “Let’s kill all the lawyers” is a complicated phrase that (somehow always) refers to the importance of maintaining a fair rule of law that protects the people.

Whether lawyers symbolize evil or good, she added, is almost irrelevant; the most important thing about the quote is the upholding of a fair and just law system, itself.

 

-o0o-

 

The oligarchs who allegedly mediated the political feud between Iloilo City Mayor Geronimo “Jerry” Trenas and Iloilo City lone district Rep. Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda last year may have succeeded in preserving the political status quo (whatever that means in their own terms) in Iloilo City when both camps averted a head-on collision course in the mayoral and congressional contests,  but not the more preferred and glorious unity.

As of this writing, sympathizers from both camps continued to hurl vicious insults and scurrilous accusations against each other both in the mainstream and social media.

And it appears there is no sign the hostilities will slow down especially now that the official campaign period for the May 12, 2025 elections has unfurled. It is even worsening.

The fact that both Baronda and Raisa Trenas, the city mayor’s daughter who is running for city mayor, don’t have clear and present threats of losing and are actually a cinch away from being reelected and elected respectively, makes the cold war and antagonism between two parties so riveting and outrageous.

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