Re-electionst Senator Cynthia Villar said that she would avoid criticizing the President of the Philippines if someday she’d be given a chance to get the second highest position in the government.

During an interview, Karen Davila asked Villar if she’s really planning to run for a higher position in 2022, however, she said that getting the Vice Presidential post is part of a politician’s destiny and cannot be plan ahead.

She also believed that the Vice President should not criticize its President because criticizing your leader can make you unpopular in politics.

“Maski na iyun, pareho din yun (with running for president), mahirap pa yung Vice President you make sure that you can follow your President or else you’re in a mess,” said Villar.

“Ako kasi kung ako ang Vice President if I cannot follow my President I’ll just keep quiet. You know there’s a study na pag ikaw ay Vice President palagi mong inaaway ang President nagiging unpopular ka,” she added.

Villar denied that she’s giving indirect suggestions to Vice President Leni Robredo who’s a known critic of President Rodrigo Duterte.

She also expressed her support in the proposal where the winning presidential and vice presidential candidate would win as a tandem to avoid long-time conflicts while they’re in their position.

According to Villar, her beliefs came from her experience as a local politician before.

The lady senator is one of the possible winners of the 2019 senatorial elections, getting good rankings in several surveys.

Villar is getting support from PDP-Laban and Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) which are both pro-government political parties.

President Rodrigo Duterte said that they’re still paying the damages after the Philippines lost to the cases filed against the government during the time of former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay who’s now a senatorial candidate under Otso Diretso.

In a speech in Batangas on April 17, Duterte said that Hilbay failed to defend the government from the said cases and now even the current administration is obligated to pay for it.

According to him, the Philippines is known for breaching contracts.

“Ito si Florin Hilbay, solicitor general. Wala namang naipanalo. Nanalo ba tayo sa kaso natin? Karami nating bayad, totoo lang ngayon. Hindi akin, previous administration mga damages, mga kontrata because we were known then as a country who does not honor contractual obligations,” the President said.

Duterte also convinced the people that it’s useless to vote for Hilbay in the upcoming senatorial elections because he didn’t prove anything as a Solicitor General.

In 2011 The World Bank’s International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) ruled January 23, 2011, that former President Benigno Aquino III’s cancellation in 2011 of a Belgian firm’s P18-billion flood-control venture, the Laguna Lake Rehabilitation Project, was illegal and unfair.

The court ordered the Philippines to pay P800 million to the dredging firm Baagerwerken Decloedt En Zoon (BDZ).

President Rodrigo Duterte revealed why the Chinese government was very disappointed by former Chief Executive Benigno Aquino III and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

According to him, China personally told him about what happened during the Aquino administration, saying that Trillanes “tricked” the Chinese for money.

“Galit ang China sa atin di ba because if their tiff with Trillanes and Noynoy. Inotso nila yung intsik diyan eh. Pera. So hindi ko sinasabi pumunta kay Noynoy but sinabi ng Intsik,” Duterte said.

Duterte clarified that China didn’t mention if Aquino also got money from Sen. Trillanes’ alleged activities.

In 2012, former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile confronted Trillanes over the “secret” trips made by the latter in China which ended to the latter’s walk out in the senate hall.

Later on, Trillanes confirmed that he’s talking to the Chinese government after former President Aquino tasked him to talk with China.

“On the day the President was about to leave for UK, he called me up and told me, ‘Sonny, pa-tulong dahil meron yung barko ng China nasa loob pa rin when the agreement is simultaneous, may Agreement daw with Washington, according to the DFA, na simultaneous na lalabas.’ I asked him ‘If it was simultaneous, bakit nauna tayo?’ Anyway, it’s there. I was given the task of mediating to have those 2 ships removed, and they did through the backchannel negotiations,” Trillanes said in an interview in 2012.

A musical artist and famous Twitter user Juan Miguel Severo amid the Holy Week posted a tweet about Jesus Christ, claiming that the religious leader was also victimized by fake news during his time.

In a tweet, Severo said that Jesus challenged the powerful people during his time in result, he was framed, detained and crucified without due process.

“He challenged existing ideas. He was a victim of fake news.” Severo said.

Severo also said that the people haven’t paid attention if Holy Week “has nothing to do with politics”.

Jesus threatened the status quo. He challenged existing ideas. He was a victim of fake news. He was framed, arrested, and tortured by the government. He was given the death penalty without due process.

This day has nothing to do with politics? You haven’t been paying attention.

— Juan Miguel Severo (@TheRainBro) April 19, 2019

While he didn’t directly mention the President, several pro-Duterte swarmed his Twitter account to defend the current administration.

Oh wow. I didn’t even mention anything about the president but you guys are so pressed. ? Isang mapayapang Semana Santa sa lahat ng nang-aaway sa akin sa thread. ? “Patawarin Mo sila, Panginoon. Hindi nila alam ang kanilang ginagawa.” Paalam! ? pic.twitter.com/26fYB72cQk

— Juan Miguel Severo (@TheRainBro) April 19, 2019

When Severo read one of the netizens commented to his post, saying that Duterte is like Jesus who raised up “against the liberal status quo,” he replied “Kilabutan ka.”

DUTERTE IS MORE LIKE JESUS???

Kilabutan ka. https://t.co/mZjUPo06jo

— Juan Miguel Severo (@TheRainBro) April 19, 2019

Jesus endorsed killings? Jesus harassed women? Jesus cursed and cussed during his speeches? Jesus jailed critics? The lengths people go to to praise and protect this president is absurd and terrifying.

— Juan Miguel Severo (@TheRainBro) April 19, 2019

Meanwhile, Sass Rogando Sasot responded to Severo, saying that what happened to Jesus Christ is part of the Divine Plan and it needs to happen.

“Gurl, Severo, according to Catholic doctrine: Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins. lol It was all part of the Divine Plan. Anong fake news?!” Sasot said.

The Duterte administration is being accused by its critics of spreading fake news and also punishing lawbreakers without due process.

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.