Manila Mayor Isko Moreno is planning to invest in renewable sources of energy to save money and resources, especially during times of crisis.

In an interview, Moreno said he’s planning to put solar panels and rainwater collectors on the rooftops of all public schools in Manila City.

“Nowadays, we’re having challenges with our water in our dams. While it is true na mayroon naman tayong pag-ulan, we are still in below comfortable water level in our dams,” Moreno said in a press briefing.

“Having said that, I am now encouraging the board to come up with environmental projects, programs to harness renewable energies,” he added.

Aside from saving money because the schools are just going to get their energy from renewable resources, Isko also pointed out that the children would also learn how to take care of the environment.

“Subconsciously, we are teaching our children inside educational institutions to care for the environment without saying it because if they are seeing these types of facilities, and it can be done since it’s not even rocket science, they will know how to care for the environment,” Domagoso told reporters after the board meeting.

“When they would be given the opportunity in the future, they will do the same kapag malalaki na sila,” he added.

Aside from improving the energy sources of his city, Mayor Isko also bared his plan to give allowances and food to students as part of his nutrition program.

The Mayor said that he’s still looking for funds so he might not implement the said program this year.

Former Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada downplayed the efforts being made by his successor Isko Moreno on cleaning Metro Manila from illegal vendors.

Estrada, in an interview with DZMM, said that he can also do what Mayor Moreno is currently doing in Manila. However, he’s also considering the welfare of the people that might lose their source of income because they’re operating their businesses in illegal places.

He also boasted his political background, to prove that he can also perform like current Mayor of Manila.

“Madali lang naman yung linisin mo lahat ‘yan. Pero kawawa naman yung ilang bibig, ilang bata… madaling magpasikat eh, madali yan. Isang utos ko lang, meron yan.” Estrada said.

“Ilang taon na ak naging Mayor sa San Juan, sa Maynila — naging President pa ako. Madali ‘yan i-utos pero titignan mo yung kapakanan ng mga kapwa tao mo lalo na ‘yung mahihirap,” he added.

In the interview, the former Manila Mayor also said that the claim of Moreno that an “organizer” presented him P5-M as a bribe to let illegal vendors in Divisoria operate is not true.

As of writing Moreno is not yet giving any response on Estrada’s statement.

Since Moreno became the Mayor of Manila, he quickly ordered the cleanup of major streets along his City including Divisoria.

However, several of his critics including the daughter of Erap, Jerika Ejercito, questioned the actions of Isko.

Like her father, Jerika also urged Isko to think about people who would be affected by his cleanup operations.

“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,” Jerika said.

“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,” she added.

Senator Ronald Dela Rosa said that he would favor the legalizing of medical marijuana as long as the country would provide strict rules to regulate it.

In an interview, Dela Rosa said that the people who got sick should be given a chance to be cured by medical marijuana, which claimed to be a medicine for some severe illness.

“Provided we have enough safeguards on the use of medical marijuana, that there would be an agency that would make sure this would not be abused, I am OK with it,” he said.

“Why do we deprive our countrymen of the chance to be cured of their illnesses with this simple marijuana?” he added.

He said that marijuana is a downer which not turning its user to become vicious, unlike shabu.

However, cannabis is still dangerous if its user already addicted to it.

“The problem is not [with] the effect of marijuana turning a person violent. If you become addicted to marijuana, the violence would come in if you are deprived of it … That’s when you will become violent, so it’s still dangerous,” he said.

Last year, Dela Rosa admitted that he already tried using marijuana during his days at the Mindanao State University.

“The effect to me when I tried marijuana was having a feeling of (being) high, having red eyes and wanting to listen and sing folk songs due to its good vibes,” Dela Rosa said.

Medical Marijuana advocates tried to push the bill in the 17th congress but fail after not getting enough support from the lawmakers.

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

— ⚔️YĖL⚔️ (@jelemape08) July 7, 2019

Training for military doesn’t open your eyes to the real problem of the country. Patriotism comes in different forms. @mateoguidicelli

— mrck (@mvrcxvs) July 7, 2019

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.

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.