Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III criticized the proposal of American senators to ban the Filipino public officials who are behind the detention of Senator Leila De Lima from visiting the US.

According to Sotto, the said US senators Patrick Leahy and Richard Durbin are trying to meddle with the government of the Philippines despite not studying the case filed against De Lima.

“Mga pakialamero hindi naman nila alam ang kaso, she is innocent until proven guilty but those U.S. senators are not judges here in the Philippines,” Sotto said.

Malacanang also opposed the proposal of the US Senators, saying that the Filipinos must feel that they’re being disrespected.

“It seeks to place pressure upon our independent institutions thereby effectively interfering without a nation’s sovereignty. It is an insult to the competence and capacity of our duly constituted authorities as such act makes it appear that this US Senate panel has the monopoly of what is right and just,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.

Panelo added that they’re not depriving De Lima of her rights to defend herself from the accusations against her.

“She is being afforder all her rights to due process and has in fact availed of available legal remedies under or procedural rules,” he said.

Meanwhile, opposition Senator Kiko Pangilinan welcomed the move of the two US lawmakers, insisting that the move is not an act of interfering with the Philippine government affairs.

’We do not consider the US Senate’s action as an interference in the affairs of a sovereign state. Human beings everywhere — regardless of ethnicity, nationality, class, religion, or gender — must speak out,” Pangilinan said.

Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Director General Gerald Bantag became emotional during an interview with DZMM while telling the people that despite the big problems in the national penitentiary, there’s still a hope to solve it.

Bantag has been appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte amid the discovery of corruption in the Good Conduct and Time Allowance (GCTA) law and other ways of inmates to live comfortably while serving their sentences.

The new BuCor chief vowed to solve the problem, saying that God is giving him the courage to face the new challenges for him.

“Ang masasabi ko lang po, may pag asa pa po… hindi po tayo dapat mawalan ng pag asa dahil ganyan man kabigat ang mga problema natin kasi mayroon po tayong Diyos,” Bantag said before he stop himself from crying.

“Sa Diyos lang po tayo humuhugot ng lakas,” he added.

In the same interview, Bantag vowed not to receive any amount of bribe, saying that he accepted the position as BuCor chief because he wanted to end the corruption there.

“Kahit ilang pera ang isuhol nila sa akin wala yun, sabi ko nga sa mga personnel ng BuCor eh hindi ako pumunta dito para magpayaman, pumunta ako dito para ayusin kayo,” he said.

He told the people to be thankful as there’s a President like Rodrigo Duterte and Senator like Christopher “Bong” Go who really wanted to end the corruption in the national penitentiary.

“Wag na po silang mawalan ng pag asa dahil ito na po ang pag asa natin ngayon,” he said.

Senator Manny Pacquiao has a message to Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman who’s part of the opposition bloc of the Congress.

In a privilege speech, Pacquiao responded on Lagman’s suspicion on the funds allocated for the “Malasakit Centers” across the country that aimed to help the poor who doesn’t have money to afford hospital fees.

Pacquiao, who’s an ally of President Rodrigo Duterte, expressed his sadness over the attitude of some politicians who seem only focused on criticizing the current administration and try to block its projects.

“Masakit lang isipin na ang programa na para sa mahihirap tapos may mga tao na komokontra…. Hindi ko maintidihan ‘yung mindset ng mga politiko dito sa Pilipinas, Mr. President,” Pacquiao said.

“Kasi pagka maganda ‘yung ginagawa para sa mga mahirap, dahil kalaban ka, kokontrahin ka. E nakakabuti naman sa taumbayan. Kaya wala ng progreso, walang kaunlaran ang bansa natin…” he added.

According to Pacquiao, politicians who always opposed the ideas of the government, despite it would benefit the poor should quit public office.

“Yung mga politiko na kumokontra parati sa magandang advocacy, sa mga magandang programa para sa mahihirap, tumigil na kayo sa pag se-serbisyo. Wala kayong kuwenta sa taumbayan,” he said.

“Especially itong si Lagman, laging kumokontra iyan sa programang magaganda. Maka-testify talaga ako na kumokontra siya. Hindi ko alam kung against siya sa mahihirap o para lang siya sumikat sa pagkontra sa gobyerno,” he also said.

Pacquiao said that he feel sad when some politicians are trying to block projects aim to help the poor because he also once experience poverty.

In an interview, Lagman questioned the government, saying that there should be a legal basis for the current administration to fund Malasakit Centers.

“I think there should be a legal basis for you to fund these Malasakit Centers and I would suppose that there is a need for you to investigate and validate the effectivity of these Malasakit Centers… Kindly make a thorough validation and investigation of the operations of these Malasakit Centers because it is like political partisan activity,” Lagman stated.

Mayor Isko Moreno urged former captain of Barangay 484, Zone 48 Guia Gomez Castro to surrender to the authorities after she was tagged as the “Shabu Queen” of Manila City.

Moreno made the call after the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) revealed that Gomez already left the country.

He also made the said request to the family of Gomez.

According to some report, Gomez has not reported for work since April 25.

“Ang mga ganitong akusasyon ay ang tanging solusyon dito, to ex-chairman Guia Gomez Castro, ay kayo po ay magpaliwanag sa opisina ng NCR director ng PNP at ng PDEA,” Moreno said in a Facebook live.

Meanwhile, Manila Police District Director General Vicente Danao said that Gomez went hiding when she heard that the former is being planned by the President to be appointed in the nation’s capital.

Like Moreno, he also urged Gomez to come out.

“Kung wala kang kasalanan, why do you have to hide? If you have no illegal activity, then you have nothing to hide. Come out in the open, clear your name,” Danao said.

“Ako kapag nalaman ko na may involvement ka, sigurado may paglalagyan ka,” he added.

Danao also revealed that he feel alone after he discovered that Gomez is being protected by “Ninja cops” and other high ranking officials.

‘Alam nyo, sa totoo lang, hindi ko na alam kung sino ang kasama  ko  sa PNP pakiramdam ko ay nag-iisa lang ako, alam nila ang paninindigan ko hindi nila ako kayang bilhin,isang taon na ako sa Maynila pero hanggang ngayon nanghihiram pa rin ako ng sasakyan ko,’ Danao said.

Television host Kris Aquino defended her brother former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III from the accusations that the latter is suffering from health problems.

On her Instagram account, Kris Aquino received a question from netizen @nomadthinker asking about her opinion of the latest photo her brother circulating on social media, showing the former President seems to lose weight.

“What’s your reaction on the suppose latest photo of Former President Noy that’s been circulating on Social Media. He looks so very ill,” Nomadthinker asked Aquino.

As a response, the television host said that she last saw her brother five months ago, admitting that they have some issues still unresolved.

However, she said that one of her children are visiting his uncle Noynoy regularly which gave him an impression that her brother is still healthy to accept visitors.

“How am I supposed to react? The truth is the last time we saw each other was almost 5 months ago, I have always been truthful- we aren’t close & we have several issues that remain unresolved, but kuya Josh sees him regularly. End of story for me. So maybe the fact he has the energy to bond with kuya he’s not VERY ill. Makes sense right? They were together Sunday, September 22,” Aquino said.

Several days ago, a photo showing the former President visiting an event has gone viral on social media and sparked rumors about Noynoy’s health.

“Hala mukhang tatakbo si Kris!” RJ “Thinking Pinoy” Nieto said on his post.

Some even compared the 59-year-old former President to the 74-year-old current chief executive Rodrigo Duterte.

The new Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Chief Gerald Bantag warned the personnel and inmates of the national penitentiary not to do a wrong move or else they might become unlucky in the upcoming days.

Bantag already said that he would not accept any gifts from anyone from the inmates of BuCor, saying that he’s going to do something if they insist on giving money to him.

“Ang mga magbibigay sa akin ng pera, mamalasin… hindi pala mamalasin, kakatayin ko,” Bantag said.

During an interview in the senate, Bantag vowed not to shave his facial hair until there are no changes happening in BuCor.

He asked Senator Christopher “Bong” Go for additional funds for the BuCor and some grenades.

Bantag became controversial several years ago after he became involved in a grenade explosion inside Paranaque detention center.

The new BuCor chief revealed that he’s going to replace some of the personnel of BuCor and planning to replace them with more trusted people.

He claimed that 95% of the current workers in Bilibid are corrupt.

He also ordered to ban any mobile devices inside the national penitentiary and even himself would not use a phone while at work.

According to him, he’s expected that his new job is very dangerous that’s why he’s always keeping his weapon, including a samurai in his new office.

Despite the dangers of his job, Bantag vowed to bring changes in the BuCor and help President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Basta ang sabi ng mahal na pangulo at senador (Bong Go) kapag ako [ay] pumalpak, ipapako [nila] ako sa krus,” Bantag said.

Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte shared a lengthy story about her younger days and how her father, President Rodrigo Duterte helped her to survive law school.

In her Instagram post, Inday Sara said that while studying at Law School, she faced many difficulties that almost made her give up.

Instead of trying to contact her mother, Elizabeth Zimmerman, she decided to consult her father who’s a lawyer and Davao City Mayor during that time.

One time when Inday Sara called her father and started to cry, the latter started to panic and asked if she’s having problems because she’s pregnant.

However, Inday Sara suddenly laughed by the question of her father and clarified that the reason why she’s emotional is because of the difficulties in her studies.

Her father gave her advice saying that her tears would not make her pass the law school and encouraged her to read books.

Inday Sara revealed that her father cried when she passed the Bar Exam.

She thanked her father because of encouraging her to continue her studies and to avoid choosing the wrong path.

You can read the story below:

“Laging present si Papa sa tuwing may recognition day sa school. Ang gusto niya kasi, siya ang laging magsasabit ng mga ribbon at medalya ko. Paano ko ba makakalimutan ang lagi niyang pinapaalala sa akin nung bata pa ako. Para siyang sirang plakang paulit-ulit na sinasabing, “Mag-aral kang mabuti. Education is everything!”

Nuong third year ako sa law school, may isang gabi na gusto ko na talagang umiyak at magwala dahil sa sobrang hirap ng mga lessons. Kailangan ko ng mahihingahan. Ayoko namang tawagan si Mama dahil baka mag-alala lang siya.

Ang gusto ko talagang makausap ay isa ring abogado gaya ni Papa na makaka-relate sa mga himutok ko. Sa totoo lang, bihira kaming mag-usap ng heart to heart ng tatay ko. Para kaming aso’t pusa kapag nagtatalo. Kaya nai-imagine ko na ang hitsura niya nang abisuhan siya ng alalay niya para tawagan ako,

“Mayor, tumawag po kanina ang anak niyo. Gusto daw po kayong makausap?”

Bigla akong natigilan nang mag-ring ang cellphone ko. Nang marinig ko ang boses ni Papa, hindi ko na alam ang sasabihin ko. Hindi ako makapagsalita kaya umiyak na lang ako.
Ang unang tanong sa kin ni Papa, “Asan ka?”

Lalo akong napahagulgol sa pag-iyak. Nararamdaman kong nag-papanic na siya. Paulit-ulit niya akong tinatanong kung nasaan ba ako. Nung mga oras na iyon, iniisip ko na baka akala niya ay na-rape na ako.

Pero hindi pa rin ako huminto. Umiyak lang ako ng umiyak na parang isang naghihingalong aso.

Tahimik si Papa sa kabilang linya. Maya-maya pa ay muli na siyang nagtanong:
“Buntis ka?”

Nang marinig ko ang sinabi ni Papa ay bigla na akong natawa. Hindi ko na napigilang humalakhak nang humalakhak hanggang sa malapit na akong maubusan ng hininga.
Naisip ko na bakit ba ganun mag-isip ang mga lalaki. Kapag ba tumawag sa telepono ang babae nang umiiyak, buntis na agad?

Tawa pa rin ako ng tawa hanggang sa sinabi ni Papa, “Nabuang ka? Nababaliw ka na ba”

Siguro iniisip na niya nung mga oras na yun ay lango ako sa alak.

Sinubukan kong pigilan ang sarili ko. Huminto na ako sa pagtawa at nagsabi na ako ng totoo sa tatay ko.

“Pa, nahihirapan na ako sa law school,” ang sabi ko sa kanya.

Ramdam ko na ang inis sa boses ni Papa ng sabihin niyang, “ Nahihirapan ka na sa mga lessons mo? Hindi ka matutulungan ng mga luha mo. Basahin mo ang mga libro mo!”

Ang iyon ang dahilan kung bakit isang abogado na gaya ni Papa ang kinausap ko tungkol sa problema ko. Walang kyeme-kyeme. Walang bola bola. Isang direktang sagot na kailangan kong marinig para matauhan ako
Nang ibaba ko ang telepono, tumingin ako sa mga libro ko at sinabi ko sa sarili ko, “Tutal, napagkamalan naman akong nabuntis, iiyak na lang muna ako nang iiyak na parang nabuntis hanggang sa makatulog ako,”

At ganun na nga ang ginawa. Ibinuhos ko ang lahat ng luha ko nang gabing iyon. At kinabukasan, muli kong hinarap ang hamon ng aking pag-aaral.

Lumipas ang ilang taon. May nakapagsabi sa akin na napaluha daw si Papa nang pumasa ako sa Bar Exam. Sa tingin ko, napaiyak siya dahil mas magaling ako sa kanya at iyon ang isang tagumpay para sa kanya. Isa pa, marahil napaiyak si Papa dahil ako ang tropeo niya para siguruhin ang edukasyon ng susunod na henerasyon.

Bukod dito, marahil ay naluha siya sa galak dahil hindi ako napariwara. Hindi ako napabilang sa mga teenager na nabuntis at highschool dropout. Kahit anong hirap ay tagumpay akong nakapasa dahil sinunod ko ang payo ni Papa.”

The post was first published by Inday Sara in 2016 and recirculated on social media three years after.

Narvacan, Ilocos Sur Mayor Chavit Singson said that he’s planning to build the biggest statue of Jesus in the world.

In an interview by ANC, he said that the statue will be called “The Resurrection” and planning to place it in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

According to Singson, the statue is possibly made of bronze and copper and it will be 460 feet high, it’s more than 300 ft higher than the Christ the King statue in Poland and also to the famous Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil.

He revealed that the cost of “The Resurrection” will cost one billion pesos and the construction is already being started.

Singson believes that when the statue already constructed, thousands of Filipinos are going to spend time to visit it which can help the people of Ilocos Sur to earn more money from tourism.

Several reports said that the statue will be designed by architect Richelle Singson, the daughter of Chavit.

When asked if someone urged him to build the statue, he said that he only suddenly got the idea when he saw the other statues of Jesus Christ in other countries.

Singson is known for being religious and a follower of the Roman Catholic Church.

Former Agriculture Secretary and now Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa) chairman Manny Piñol has a suggestion to Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno on how he would feed nutritious bread to his people while helping the Mindanao farmers at the same time.

In a Facebook post, Piñol presented the NutriBanana bread to Moreno, claiming that it’s more delicious and nutritious than the original nutribun being planned by the Manila City Mayor to distribute among grade school students.

“Yorme eto na yung hinahanap mo, sabi mo gusto mong pakainin ng nutribun ang mga bata ng Maynila… eto mas masarap sa nutribun, makakatulong ka pa sa taga Mindanao,” Piñol told Moreno.

According to Piñol, the Nutribanana is made from bananas that didn’t pass the export quality because of the wrong size.

He said that bananas that didn’t pass the quality check are normally dumped.

However, a Davao-based Bicolano, Froilan Angelo Dy made an idea on how he would save the rejected bananas and use it as an ingredient to his Nutribanana bread.

“Kung gusto mo kami na ang mag su-supply ng nutribun mo,” said Piñol.

The MinDa chairman said that the cost of Nutribanana is less than P4 per piece.

Mayor Moreno is not yet responding on the request of Piñol.

A few months ago, Moreno said that he would replicate the Marcos-era nutribun program to fight hunger in her City.

The said program is expected to start next year once they already find a sufficient budget to fund it.