A former political officer of the Makabayan coalition revealed that five candidates paid the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), New People’s Army (NPA), the National Democratic Front (NDF), the Makabayan party-list coalition and other communist groups in exchange of endorsement in the upcoming senatorial elections.

“Ka Nonoy” Alcantara who claimed that he’s the former liaison officer for the electoral unit of NDF said that Senators Grace Poe, Nancy Binay, and Bam Aquino, former senators Serge Osmena, and former congressman Erin Canada paid the reds millions of pesos to endorse them this election.

He refused to name the other three politicians but he described them as a ‘traditional’ or trapo.

According to him, the 9th politician that the reds are gonna endorse is Otso Diretso candidate Mar Roxas.

Alcantara claimed that Poe, Binay, and Aquino gave P20-M to the reds, while Osmena P10-M. Meanwhile, Tanada received a discount from the reds because of his long partnership with the group.

The former communist officer said that he was disappointed by his former colleagues who endorsed Aquino because it’s doesn’t reflect their beliefs against the “US-AQUINO” tandem.

“Now, they have exchanged their loyalties for huge sums or simply forgotten about them,” he said.

Alcantara said that the communist groups already forgot their principles and just thinking now about money.

“It’s clear that the movement is now all about money, especially when it is tightening the collection of permit to campaign fees in the countryside,” he said.

He also claimed that the reds already accepted the fate of senatorial candidate Neri Colmenares in the upcoming elections, saying that there’s no change for him to win, because of what’s happening, the movement already preparing for their “Plan B to retain its influence in Congress.”

“This is how desperate the CPP-NDF-NPA-CTG are, they will do everything just to ally with ‘trapos’ (traditional politicians) in exchange for power,” Alcantara said.

“Do these ‘trapos’ still have hearts and consciences? Why are they helping the devilish CPP/NPA/NDF that has cruel and bloody goals? Or maybe they don’t know? Please have pity on our children and their future,” Alcantara he added.

According to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), there are 349 politicians were giving out cash to the communist groups in exchange for campaign permits.

Caloocan Bishop Virgilio David asked the Catholic voters amid the Holy Week about their plans in the upcoming senatorial elections next month.

In his post on Facebook, David told his followers about the story of Pontius Pilate who gave the people the chance to vote who’s going to receive freedom between Jesus Christ and Barabbas.

According to the New Testament, the crowd chose Barabbas to be freed instead of Jesus Christ who crucified later on.

David after telling the story about Jesus and Barabbas asked the Catholic followers if they’re still going to choose a Barabbas who’s known as a “bandit” than Jesus Christ.

“Binigyan sila ni Poncio Pilato ng pagkakataong bumoto. Ang pagpipilian ay si Hesus o si Barabbas. Ibinoto nila si Barabbas at ipinapako sa krus si Hesus. Sa darating na Mayo, para kanino ang boto mo? Kay Barabbas o kay Hesus?” David said in his post titled ‘A vote for Jesus’.

In his previous post, he again mentioned the election to his followers.

“Can we allow our moral convictions to take flesh in our pursuit of social justice and a more equitable social order?” David said.

“Even more concretely, in the coming election, can we consciously renounce evil and stand courageously for the values upheld by our Christian faith through our votes this coming May?” he added.

David is a known critic of the Duterte administration which made the President criticized him in several of his speeches.

In one of his speeches, Duterte asked David not to use the Pulpit to criticize the government saying that the latter is using his religion to gain support from his political opinions.

“Hoy David, makinig ka, lumabas ka sa pulpito mo. Huwag mong gamitin ang relihiyon,” Duterte said in his speech.

The Caloocan Bishop became known after becoming vocal over the Kian delos Santos case.

Asia’s Song Bird Regine Velasquez broke her silence over the territorial dispute in Scarborough Shoal between the Philippines and China.

On April 16, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teddy Locsin Jr. posted a tweet about his action against the Chinese who caught poaching giant clams in Zambales.

Locsin said that they’re going to probe the poaching, however, he said that no countries wanted to wage war for clams.

“I am not going down in history as a clam defender, okay? It’s a complaint; we’re looking into it, but these are just food; no one goes to war for clams (maybe Oysters of Locquemariaquer) but they just happen to be OUR food. They should pay for them like in the fish market.” Locsin tweeted.

Velasquez, who saw the tweet of Locsin couldn’t stop herself from commenting saying that her expectations to the foreign secretary had been broken.

According to her, Locsin should be serious in what’s happening because the poaching happened in Zambales is already considered an invasion of the Chinese.

“Ang akala ko pa naman matalino ka. Ako ay simpling tao lamang na may simpleng pagiisip. These people are invading our territory they are not just taking food sinistral nila ang ating karagatan!!!!” Velasquez told Locsin.

Pero ang problem ay hindi po territorio natin yun. EEZ.

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) April 19, 2019

In response, Locsin said that the West Philippine Sea is still not considered as a territory of the Philippines, but only an exclusive economic zone.

Pero ang problem ay hindi po territorio natin yun. EEZ.

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) April 19, 2019

One netizen also told Regine to buy a dictionary and look for the meaning of invasion which the singer quickly replied.

Tama ka. Simple lamang ang pagiisip mo. Pls look up the meaning of "invasion" in a dictionary if you have one. I am sure that even if you are already a has-been singer, you can still afford to buy a second hand dictionary sa Recto Ave.

— tonito (@AntonioDujua) April 19, 2019

“TRESPASS, ENCROACH, INFRINGE, INVADE mean to make inroads upon the property, territory, or rights of another. TRESPASS implies an unwarranted or unlawful intrusion. hunters trespassing on farmland ENCROACH suggests gradual or stealthy entrance upon another’s territory,” Velasquez said.

“or usurpation of another’s rights or possessions. the encroaching settlers displacing the native peoples INFRINGE implies an encroachment clearly violating a right or prerogative. infringing a copyright INVADE,” she added.

“INVADE implies a hostile and injurious entry into the territory or sphere of another. accused of invading their privacy,”

or usurpation of another's rights or possessions. the encroaching settlers displacing the native peoples INFRINGE implies an encroachment clearly violating a right or prerogative. infringing a copyright INVADE

— regine alcasid (@reginevalcasid) April 19, 2019

INVADE implies a hostile and injurious entry into the territory or sphere of another. accused of invading their privacy

— regine alcasid (@reginevalcasid) April 19, 2019

Alcasid didn’t respond anymore to the other comments of the netizen and her last tweet about the issue is when she shared a post from #ChinaLayas Twitter account.

Meanwhile, several pro-Duterte bloggers gave their opinions over Regine’s statement, saying that they love Asia’s songbird as an artist, but not as a political analyst.

“Love Regine as a singer, not so as a political analyst.” Jan Writer said.

Sass Rogando Sasot also asked Regine if she’s also going to give her opinion on the Philippines’ claim over Sabah.

Senatorial candidate Juan Ponce Enrile admitted that the Philippines planned to have nuclear weapons during the time of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

In an interview with CNN Philippines, Enrile said that if the country wanted to avoid being intimidated by bigger countries like China, the government should start getting Nuclear Weapons.

“You want to match China? Develop your nuclear weapons like North Korea,” Enrile said.

Enrile said that the Marcos administration next plan after building the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant is to get weapons to defend the Philippines.

“That is the reality among nations. That’s why we have to build our economy and build our military capability so that hindi tayo aapihin ng ganyan. Nung panahon ni Presidente Marcos, pinlano ‘yung bataan Nuclear Power Plant hindi lang para magkaroon tayo ng reserba na elektrisidad,” Enrile said.

“Plinano namin ‘yun para magkaroon tayo ng nuclear weapon para hindi tayo inaapi nang maski sino, kaya nating manindigan. Eh manindigan tayo ngayon, ano gagamitin natin? Kwitis?” he added.

According to him, no one can stop the Philippines if they really wanted to get Nuclear weapons, citing several countries already done getting it despite being stopped by more powerful countries.

“If Iran, Pakistan, Israel, North Korea, and even Cuba, before, could do it, if we went through it, I don’t think they could have stopped us,” he said.

The 95-year-old politician made the statements amid the conflict between the Philippines and China over the West Philippine Sea.

Even the government is careful in dealing with China, saying that the said country is more powerful and advance in terms of military capability.

Aside from getting Nuclear Weapons, the former Marcos administration also made a rocket under project Sta. Barbara.

However, the rockets were retired when Marcos loses his power and the fate of the project since its retirement remain unknown.

Source: CNN Philippines

A netizen responded on the two known defenders of senatorial candidate Mar Roxas who insisted that the former Interior secretary is not aware of what’s happening during the Mamasapano encounter occurred in 2015.

Yesterday, former Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda and Deputy Spokesperson Abi Valte defended Roxas at the same time after President Duterte revived the talks about the Mamasapano encounter which resulted to the loss of 44 members of PNP Special Action Forces.

The two insisted that the government kept the controversial mission secret even from Roxas.

Duterte: What was Mar’s role in Mamasapano? Why did 44 people die?

Answer: Mamasapano was concealed from him by Napeñas on orders of PNP Chief Purisima.

Advice to Digong: Read the Senate Investigation. Read the Ombudsman report.

Just read, stop yapping. Read before you bash!

— Edwin Lacierda (@dawende) April 17, 2019

Asus eto na naman to. Paanong tutulong eh sinikreto nga kay Mar na may operation? Paulit-ulit yang napatunayan sa Senado. Paulit-ulit. Paki memorize, sir. https://t.co/yfF6Oj4Gbv

— Abi Valte (@Abi_Valte) April 17, 2019

However, a netizen, MJ Quiambao Reyes was not convinced by the explanation made by the two former public officials, saying that their statement only proved that Roxas let his superiors toy him during his term as DILG Secretary.

“That alone speaks a lot about the kind of President you both served and the kind of DILG Head he was. Worse, ano ang ginawa nya after he found out? Kinundena ba nya ang pangyayari?” Reyes told Valte.

“If he was clueless on an important operation right under his nose, what kind of DILG head was he? Worse, if his own men can’t trust him, why then should we?” Reyes said.

“Many thanks for reminding everyone how dysfunctional DungMaTweed was and just how weak its leaders were,” Reyes told Lacierda

As of writing, the post of Reyes already reached thousands of reactions and shares from the netizens.

Several days ago President Duterte revived the talks on the Mamasapano Encounter after he asked former chief executive Noynoy Aquino and Roxas about what really happened during the mission.

He vowed to endorse Roxas if ever the latter gave a good explanation on why the mission costs the lives of 44 SAF.

Senatorial candidate Florin Hilbay and actress Agot Isidro defended themselves from the accusations of President Rodrigo Duterte that they’re only using each other to hide the real gender identity of the former because of the campaign.

In his past speeches, President Duterte urged Hilbay to admit his real identity, saying that he doesn’t need to hide anything and using a pretty actress like Isidro to convince the people that he’s straight.

Hilbay broke his silence on his Twitter account calling Duterte “chismoso sa kanto” and urging the President not to use gender identities as insult to his critics.

“For the record, I am straight. But, unlike the President, Agot and I are secure in our relationship we don’t believe that anybody has to prove their gender to anyone,” Hilbay said.

“Unlike the President, Agot and I don’t see being a member of the LGBTQIA community as a mistake or a source of shame,” he added.

Hilbay also denied that he’s not aware that many LGBTQIA members are working in the Office of the Solicitor General during his time.

President Duterte accused me of being gay, and of using @agot_isidro as beard. Hindi ako na-inform na sumasideline pala siyang chismoso sa kanto. Daming free time, ser?

And to use sexuality as an insult? He's no LGBTQIA ally, cyst.#37PiloHilbay #HilbaySaSenado ☝️ pic.twitter.com/aVRZPXHCXB

— Pilo Hilbay (@fthilbay) April 17, 2019

Isidro also helped her boyfriend, insisting that they’re both straight.

“Straight po siya. Straight din ako. Straight kami. Straight 8 #OtsoDiretso.” Isidro said.

“At issue ba talaga ang gender? #LGBTQIA supporter ako, naniniwala na ang gender ay walang kinalaman sa integridad ng isang tao.” she added.

Straight po sya. Straight din ako.

Straight kami.
Straight 8. #OtsoDiretso

At issue ba talaga ang gender? #LGBTQIA supporter ako, naniniwala na ang gender ay walang kinalaman sa integridad ng isang tao.

Pero ang pagmumura at pagpatay, we’ll that’s a different story. ? https://t.co/vUdJdB9snz

— Agot Isidro (@agot_isidro) April 17, 2019

President Rodrigo Duterte in a speech in Bukidnon claimed that his gaydar sensed that Otso Diretso senatorial candidate Florin Hilbay is hiding his real gender identity by using the actress Agot Isidro.

Duterte told Hilbay that the latter should not be embarrassed by his gender identity which already reached to the point that he’s already using a pretty actress like Agot to cover it.

“Florin Hilbay is a lawyer. But he’s gay. His girlfriend is Igot Isidro. They’re always together. Agot rather, not Igot. Do you think he’s gay?I don’t have a problem with gays, but this particular gay is a… They always criticize me, Hilbay and Agot, until they ended up being a couple. Because they’re always together,” Duterte said.

“He acts like a man and pretends that Agot is his girlfriend. Be true to yourself. You’re gay. Don’t hide behind a cover. You were made by God. God made a mistake. Just because he’s a God does not mean he is incapable of making mistakes,” he added.

The President also admitted that he’s also part of the LGBT community before and he said that everyone deserves to be happy.

“I was once gay. Am I straight or gay? So what if I’m gay? What is it to them? My — it’s my life. I deserve to be happy. Why stop the gays when they’re made by the government — God? It’s already God’s problem why he made gays. Why would we make fun of the gays? Insult them and not accept them at… Yeah,” he said.

In his speech yesterday in Tuguegarao, he also said the same thing about Hilbay.

“Naging solicitor general wala namang gawa, pinuno ang opisina niya ng mga bakla,” Duterte said referring to Hilbay who’s a former Solicitor General.

He also asked the audience to guess the gender identity of his critic Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV who’s also part of the Magdalo.

Duterte, during his days as Mayor of Davao City, passed an ordinance in favor of the LGBT community.

In 2017, he also bared his plan to make a commission for LGBT.

Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano insisted that his group ‘Otso Diretso’ is not with the ‘dilawan’, saying that they’re not even connected with former President Noynoy Aquino.

In a press conference, Alejano pointed out that even they’re criticizing the current administration, it doesn’t mean that they’re part of the yellows.

Yellow is the trademark political color of the Liberal Party during the time of former Presidents Cory Aquino and Benigno Aquino III.

“The story of Otso Diretso or its individual members is not based on the story of the Liberal Party or former President [Noynoy] Aquino,” Alejano said.

“There’s propaganda to paint the previous administration or any critic or opposition member as ‘yellow,’ and that we all have the same faces,” he added.

While Otso Diretso is trying to evade being labeled as Dilawan, this is also the same with the camp of former DILG Secretary Mar Roxas’ who are now wearing blue during his campaigns.

“It was a conscious decision [to change colors] because one mistake [Roxas] made in 2016 was acting like Robin to [Aquino’s] Batman . . . and Robin will never be Batman,” the camp of Roxas said.

The statement from the camp of Roxas made Kris Aquino, sister of Noynoy to criticize the former DILG secretary.

However, Kris also thanked the camp of Roxas for making her reconcile with her brother after one year of not talking to each other.

“you were a blessing in disguise cong. Erice. Because of you & your candidate, our FAMILY has moved so much closer to becoming WHOLE again… hindi na kailangan maging divided between Team N and Team K, because more than any other family, alam namin how temporary power and political alliances can be, BUT the whole of Monday, my sisters & i communicated a TRUTH & a BOND shared by every other Filipino regardless of political affiliation: HINDI MO TINATALIKURAN ANG KADUGO MO. DAHIL SA UMPISA AT HULI, ANG HINDI MANGIIWAN SA YO- PAMILYA.” Aquino said.