Mayor Isko Moreno didn’t stop from clearing the mess of his city and he even personally destroyed a barangay hall-turned barracks in Ongpin Street, Binondo, Manila on July 5.
Moreno who made his visit a surprise carried a sledgehammer to personally pound the Barangay hall which built beside the monument of Filipino-Chinese businessman Roman Ongpin who financed the Katipuneros during the Spanish Colonial rule.
Some staff of Moreno also helped in destroying the structure.
The said monument is one of the heritage sites that can be found in Manila.
“O ayaw niyo ng diplomasiya ha. Wala tayong makuha, nagdi-diplomasya tayo. Nanggagalang tayong puwesto,” Moreno said in the live video after Barangay 289, Zone 27 Chairman Nelson Ty denied that they owned the said structure.
“Nakakahiya naman kay Ongpin. Heritage natin ‘yan. That will remind us that you do good things, you will be immortalized,” he told the reporters.
He also towed several firetrucks owned by Filipino-Chinese Binondo Fire Prevention Association Incorporated beside the said barangay hall.
Moreno then proceeded to lecture Chairman Ty, telling the Filipino-Chinese politician to stop disrespecting the heritage site.
“Huwag niyong hayaan na babuyin ang mga heritage ng Maynila. ‘Yang mga istraktura ay pagbibigay ng paggalang at pagkilala sa mga taong noong unang panahon ay gumawa ng kabutihan,” Moreno told the barangay chairman.
Aside from cleaning Ongpin’s monument, Moreno also protected another heritage site by rejecting the 37-story commercial building being planned to build behind Quiapo Church.
The new Manila Mayor promised to clean his city and bring back the government to the people.
Actor and military reservist Matteo Guidicelli has a short response to a netizen who mocked the Armed Forces of the Philippines and called it the “least patriotic organizations” in the country.
In his social media post, Guidicelli challenged the people, especially his colleagues in show business to unite instead of being busy debating about different issues.
“Salute to the flag, salute to our beautiful country! We challenge YOU, especially our colleagues in the showbiz industry. Instead of talking smack about different issues, why not unite so we may progress to make a better tomorrow. What do you think?” Guidicelli said.
Salute to the flag, salute to our beautiful country! We challenge YOU, especially our colleagues in the showbiz industry. Instead of talking smack about different issues, why not unite so we may progress to make a… https://t.co/rykoInT0JF
— Matteo Guidicelli (@mateoguidicelli) July 6, 2019
However, several netizens, including Laurence Castillo didn’t like what the actor posted on his social media account and even mocked the Armed Forces.
According to Castillo, AFP is prioritizing the rich people than normal citizens.
“Lol, you allied with the AFP which is probably one of the least patriotic organizations in the country. It’s more concerned with defending foreign capitalists and big businesses (e.g mining) than safeguarding the people’s welfare.” Castillo said.
Lol you allied with the AFP which is probably one of the least patriotic organisations in the country. It's more concerned with defending foreign capitalists and big businesses (e.g. mining) than safeguarding the people's welfare.
— Laurence Castillo (@benok_castillo) July 7, 2019
As a response, Guidicelli urged Castillo just to keep silence.
“I suggest you just stop talking. Thanks.” the actor told the netizen.
I suggest you just stop talking. Thanks.
— Matteo Guidicelli (@mateoguidicelli) July 7, 2019
Netizens @jelemape08 and @mvrcxvs also questions Guidicelli’s decision to side with the military, saying that the army ruined the lives of the minority and the actor’s military training doesn’t mean that he’s already aware with the real problems of the country.
Many of us do not have the physical and mental strength to join the military. We use words to spread awareness and fight tyranny. Referring to it as simply “talking smack” is problematic af. I urge you to see lives of the minorities ruined by the people you’re clearly supporting. https://t.co/LIncMrIvdH
Guidicelli also responded to the netizens who engaged with him into a debate.
“True, that patriotism comes in different forms. Totally agree. Their are a lot of issues and problems we are facing. That’s a fact. It’s also a fact that our neighboring countries have a very strong military because it is mandatory. We should do the same. Are you afraid?” he said.
The actor graduated as a reservist last June 27 and even met President Duterte last week.
A Chinese National is in hot water after Mayor Isko Moreno orders his deportation for urinating in public place and disrespecting the barangay tanod who tried to stop him.
The suspect was identified as Chito Keng Villaluz, 45, married, resident of Barangay 281, Zone 86 in Binondo, Manila.
According to the report, the Keng hurt the tanod who only reminded him that he’s doing his business in a wrong place.
Isko during a press conference warned not only Keng, but other foreign nationals residing in Manila.
“It is a generally accepted rule that you don’t pee in the streets. You will be detained because that is illegal. If you hit an enforcer, if you attempt to hurt policemen, because you are a superpower, you believe na malaking bansa kayo.. you are not welcome in the City of Manila,” Isko Moreno said.
“If he’s really holding a foreign passport, we are going to write now to the immigration to deport this Chinese fellow na umihi sa kalye ng Maynila na nanapak pa ng tanod, we will request the immigration to deport you and ban you from entering the country,” he said.
The Manila Mayor said that he recognizes China as a powerful country, however being rich is still not an excuse for the Chinese people to do some bad deeds in the City.
He also thanked the Barangay officials who kept doing their job to enforce the law in Manila.
“Ngayon, sa mga barangay chairman na buo ang loob at makatwiran, maraming salamat sa pagtulong niyo sa pagpapatupad ng mga alintuntunin at ordinansa sa ating lungsod. Kapag ganun ang ginawa ninyo, eto ako, kakampi niyo,” he said.
It seems that the effort of the critics of the current administration’s to bring down the popularity of President Rodrigo Duterte is failing after the latter received a new record-high satisfaction rating from the SWS Survey.
According to the latest SWS Survey released on Tuesday, President Duterte received a +68 (80 percent satisfied minus 12 percent dissatisfied) satisfaction rating, higher than his previous record of +66 in March 2019 and June 2017.
When asked by the press about his reaction on the latest survey, Duterte said that he’s only doing his job and not thinking about popularity.
However, the President said that he was glad that many people are satisfied with his performance. He also vowed to perform more for the people who are still not satisfied with his work.
“Alam mo naman ako, I do not go for this kind of things. Basta ako, trabaho lang,” Duterte said.
“As always, sinabi ko, if you are satisfied with my work, then I’m happy. If you are not satisfied, then I’ll work more. Dagdagan ko ‘yung pawis ko.” he added.
The survey has been conducted from June 22 to 26, one week after President Duterte received a tremendous amount of criticisms over the issue of a Filipino fishing boat rammed by a Chinese Vessel.
During the same month, Duterte was also criticized for ordering the closure of KAPA Community Ministry.
Several members of the opposition even pushed for the impeachment of the President, however, the latest survey showed that they might have a hard time to remove the Chief Executive who’s still being trusted by 80% of Filipinos.
A man is currently facing trouble after he tried to outsmart the authorities of Tuguegarao City after he used a metal pot or kaldero as a motorcycle helmet.
On July 8, a man who’s not yet been named by the authorities has been caught in video footage wearing a metal pot while traveling along Bonifacio Street, Tuguegarao City.
The people called him “Kaldero Man” because of his unusual helmet.
The video was recorded by Mark Leones Martin who was also surprised for what he saw.
According to some witnesses, the man seems to have fun in using his unusual helmet and even waving to the traffic enforcers and police while riding the motorcycle.
A traffic enforcer didn’t buy the friendly attitude of the man and quickly approached him to gave him a ticket.
Kaldero man was brought to the office of Traffic Management Group (TMG) of Tuguegarao where he pleaded to the authorities to free him because he’s just drunk.
The video featuring him already reached thousands of views on social media and gained mixed reactions from the netizens.
“Kawawa naman patawarin na lang baka hindi pa nakabili helmet lahat naman nang tao nagkakamali sana un mga manghuhuli di mangyari sa mga kamaganak din,” Jomari Avena said.
“mahuhusay talaga ang mga pilipino, maparaan, hehehe,” Jomar Briones commented.
“Dapat kasuhan ang mga yan sa pag insulto sa municipal ordinance.” Tolits Nonato remarked.
As of writing, it’s not yet known if Kaldero man already left the custody of the authorities.
The head of Public Order and Security Unit of Tuguegarao, Vhince Blancad will give more details about the incident tomorrow.
The cop who became infamous after a video showing him while confronting a civilian has gone viral on social media, apologized for the actions he did.
Police Senior Master Sergeant Arnulfo Ardales received punishment for what he did to a call center agent identified as Aaron Estrada, 21, who also video-recorded their confrontation and uploaded it on social media website Facebook.
According to the news report, the Philippine National Police (PNP) decided to disarm Ardales for showing misconduct to a civilian.
He also told the press that he’s regretting the things he did to Estrada.
The video shows how Ardales uttered accusations against the victim after the latter allegedly had cut the line at an eatery where the cop is also buying goods.
Ardales even attempted to capture the victim, fortunately, he quickly changed his mind after the latter apologized for disrespecting the cop.
However, Ardales told the victim that he was already “marked” by the cop while pointing his finger to the call center agent.
As a response to the action of Ardales, PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde quickly relieved the cop from his position and transferred him to the District Headquarters Service Unit ( DHSU), Eastern Poikuce District for investigation.
On July 6, NCRPO Chief Guillermo Eleazar personally talked to the victim and asked for their cooperation so they could make proper actions against Ardales.
“Kailangan natin ang cooperation mo diyan,” Eleazar told Estrada.
[WATCH] NCRPO Chief P/MGen. Eleazar, ipinagutos ang pag-relieve sa pulis na kinilalang si PSMS Arnulfo Ardales sa San Juan at pansamantalang ilagay sa EPD habang iniimbestigahan | @dzrhnews
Yesterday, the original video already reached millions of views on Facebook which already been deleted as of writing. However, several copies of the video recirculated on the internet.
Blogger Sass Rogando Sasot took a swipe against Jerika Ejercito, daughter of former President Joseph Estrada after the latter questioned the cleanup operation ordered by Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.
In a series of Facebook post, Sasot criticized Ejercito, lecturing the daughter of the former Mayor of Manila about the issue.
According to Sasot, Ejercito was wrong in saying that the cleanup operation along the streets of Manila City is not democratic, pointing out that the illegal vendors used the roads for private use, defeating its real function to give way and convenience to all people.
“Unang una, ang kalsada ay para sa tao at hindi para sa iilan lang. Did the “vendors” consult the people, who paid for the road, when they appropriated the road for their personal use? No. So bago singilin ng “demokrasya” ek ek latik ang Mayor ng Maynila, have you ever asked those people who used the road for their PERSONAL use if what they did was democratic in the first place?” Sasot said.
“So papaano ang mga mahihirap na gumagamit ng kalsada para pumunta sa trabaho? Pumasok sa eskwelahan? Papaano ang mga mahihirap na kailangan ng matinong lalakaran kung ang kalsada at ang bangketa ay ginawang tindahan ng iilan? So anong demokrasya ang pinagsasabi ninyong na-apektuhan when the appropriation of the road itself for PRIVATE USE violated the REAL democratic use of the road?” she added.
“Tinanggalan ba sila ng kabuhayan? They were just removed from the ROAD na para sa mas nakakaraming tao.”
Sasot also explained that Moreno let the illegal vendors operate their businesses again, but not in the middle of the road.
She told Ejercito that her father, who’s the former Mayor of Manila, should use his PDAF during his term to help the vendors to get a better place to operate their businesses.
The blogger also joked that Ejercito might help the illegal vendors by letting them operate to the mansions owned by her family.
“Jerika Ejercito, concern ka sa mga vendors? Ang laki laki ng bakuran ng mga mansyon ninyo. Dyan natin i-relocate?” she said.
Sasot added that Ejercito should be aware of the rules on setting a street market because the latter studied in Singapore and London where vendors are not allowed to operate in illegal places.
“Noong tatay mo ay mayor sana pinayuhan mo sya kung anong ginagawa nila sa Singapore at London para i-regulate ang street markets at ilagay sa ayos. Ngayon iba na ang mayor, saka ka eepal? Kapag kayo na ulit ang nasa kapangyarihan, show us how it’s done. You were given so many years to lead, tapos di ninyo ginawa? Luh.” she said.
In another post, Sasot showed a social media post to Ejercito, showing the former Manila Mayor doing cleanup operation during his time.
“Oi Jerika Ejercito, ginawa rin pala ng tatay mo ang “clearing operations” sa Divisoria? Bakit di ka umepal about democracy ek ek latik? Hwag kayong hayok sa kapangyarihan gurl,” she said.
On Sunday, Jerika Ejercito made a lengthy Facebook post against Moreno, explaining how Moreno destroyed the businesses of the poor illegal vendors.
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness, as they say, but when constituents are displaced and stomachs are churning for a kilo of rice or piece of bread when stalls that somehow provide basic necessities for decades are dismantled in a day—who plays God in a world of uncertainty and desolation?” Ejercito said.
“The response of netizens on this issue is all the more dismaying. How can things be celebratory when people lose their occupations?” she added.
Philippine National Police Director General Oscar Albayalde decided to relieve the San Juan Cop who went viral today for confronting a civilian at an eatery along Aurora Blvd corner R. Lagmay St. Brgy. Ermitaño, San Juan City.
The cop who identified as Police Senior Master Sergeant Arnulfo has been removed from his position after confronting the victim, Aaron Estrada y Rubio, 21, a call center agent.
The confrontation started when Arnulfo complained why the store seems to prioritize Estrada over him.
Arnulfo was not aware that Estrada video recorded the incident that already reached millions of views on social media.
As a response to the viral cop’s actions, Albayalde relieved Arnulfo for misconduct and currently placed to the District Headquarters Service Unit (DHSU).
“Agad po itong nakarating sa atin kaya agad na ipinatanggal ko sa puwesto si PSMS Ardales na ngayon ay nasa District Headquarters Service Unit ng EPD.” he said.
“Patuloy po ang imbestigasyon sa insidenteng ito.” he added.
In the video, it showed Arnulfo fuming over Estrada and accused the latter of disrespecting a police officer.
The police asked for the I.D of the victim and even attempted to take him into his custody.
Fortunately, bystanders stopped Arnulfo from pulling Estrada to his police mobile.
Estrada also apologized to the cop for the manners he showed.
Instead of forcing the victim to come with him, the cop asked for the I.D of the call center agent.
“Ano ulit pangalan mo? Markado ka sakin,” the cop said.
“Wala akong pakialam kung Estrada ka,” he also said after seeing the I.D of the victim.
While the victim received support on social media, some netizens tried to defend the police officer, believing that Estrada should not disrespect the cop.
“Baka mayabang talaga ung nag vivideo walang respeto,” Netizen Rhon Torno said.
“Kahit sino tao magagalit sa pagiging ugaling kanser mo, magagalit ba yung pulis kung hindi na bastos sayo. matuto ka kasing pumila.” Netizen John Reyes remarked.
Whatever the reason is, Arnulfo would still face charges for what he did because a cop should always control their emotion especially when facing a civilian.
The daughter of former Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada criticized the cleanup efforts made by the successor of her father for risking the businesses of the poor people to clean the streets of the country’s Capital.
In a lengthy Facebook post, Jerika Ejercito seems annoyed by the support being received by Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on social media after he decided to clean up Divisoria and successfully convinced the illegal vendors to avoid doing their businesses in the middle of the street.
Ejercito questioned the decision made by Isko Moreno, asking if the new Mayor of Manila even consulted the people who are going to be affected by the cleanup drive.
She pointed out that while Moreno has a good intention in ending the bribery issues along Divisoria, the Mayor should also think by the vendors who lost their source of income because of his operations.
The daughter of the former Manila Mayor was also saddened that the netizens are praising Moreno, while not thinking of the welfare of the poor vendors of Divisoria.
She believed that only big businessmen would benefit the cleanup drive of Moreno, while the poor vendors would be dumped.
Ejercito even took a swipe to the Duterte administration, saying that Oplan Tokhang made the netizens anti-poor.
You can read her post below:
“Divisions of Divisoria
When informal workers are forced out of their livelihood due to beautification campaigns for urban spaces, we question how democratic the
The clearing operations of vendors in Divisoria and other parts of Metro Manila sidewalks raise concerns on the welfare of these urban dwellers.
How were they integrated into the formal decision-making body? How were they consulted in methods applied that should enable them as citizens to thrive in a city mired in crisis?
A viral video showing Isko Moreno with a group of policemen conducting a “dialogue” with the vendors is yet to be weighed as truly democratic and humane since these are not the majority of the people affected but is just a captured number of vendors promised of relocation in other parts of Manila.
We recognize that the issue of bribery and corruption among barangay officials has to be addressed, but immediate displacement has never been a clear solution especially when opportunities for the poor to make money is close to none.
Divisoria as a marketplace for cheap wares has already been part of the history and culture of Filipinos.
When these vendors are excluded from Divisoria itself, who gets to sell are those who can only afford privatized establishments.
As we speak, the displaced vendors have no sure source of income. Where shall they get their daily needs for their families?
It is easy to laud the efforts of the newly-elected mayor all savvy with a PR team well-versed in projecting the “goodness” of the operations in social media, even using Facebook Live to get positive sentiments.
Cleanliness is next to Godliness, as they say, but when constituents are displaced and stomachs are churning for a kilo of rice or piece of bread when stalls that somehow provide basic necessities for decades are dismantled in a day—who plays God in a world of uncertainty and desolation?
The response of netizens on this issue is all the more dismaying. How can things be celebratory when people lose their occupations?
There is yet a change of perspective that has to be done toward the way we see the poor as mere “garbage,” “eyesore for passersby,” and “cause of traffic”.
It is easy to be tied with the local government’s legalities as to who has a permit and who has none.
Each day, the contradictions seemingly intensify between the middle class and the urban poor, but the state is only pitting citizens against their fellow citizens.
At the end, who benefits from Isko’s efforts but big businessmen? How is this even different from the demolitions led by the likes of Ayala and Sy?
When in the countryside, farmers and indigenous peoples are already evicted from their lands due to gentrification in the guise of progress—are we still surprised when displaced vendors turn to anti-social activities and become criminals themselves?
We must be critical enough to see that this is the same logic that Rodrigo Duterte propagates.
Has the tokhang mentality already been deeply ingrained in our consciousness?”
Moreno gained mass support from the netizens after he miraculously transformed Divisoria to a clean street.
After the cleanup operation, the vehicles that can now pass along the streets of Divisoria.
A video also showing Moreno talking to the vendors of Divisoria has gone viral on Facebook, getting more than 4-M views.
Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte and Davao 1st District Rep. Pulong Duterte has organized a meeting between the frontrunners for the Speaker of the House.
In several photos posted by Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) which being led by Inday Sara, it showed Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez doing a DU30 fist after the meeting held in Davao City.
According to Rep. Duterte, the three rivals remained calm during the rest of the meeting and they focused on discussing the “progress of the country”.
As of writing, HNP is not yet giving complete details about the meeting.
The meeting happened amid the tug of war happening between the three lawmakers who all wanted to become the leader of the Congress.
Because of the confusing “term-sharing” agreement, HNP announced that they would support Davao City 3rd District Rep. Isidro Ungab instead of the Romualdez, Cayetano or Velasco.
Pulong Duterte also decided to back out from running as House Speaker after consulting his father.
To resolve the issue, HNP decided to form the “Duterte Coalition” in the House to unite the lawmakers and oppose the term-sharing scheme.
HNP formed the said coalition after they got informed that some Cabinet members of President Duterte are trying to endorse a House Speaker.
“It has come to our attention that certain Presidential Cabinet members have their bet for Speaker. Everyone should note that Cabinet members serve only on the basis of the trust and confidence of the President and should not participate in the selection of the Speaker,” the coalition said.
