A veteran journalist spoke about the West Philippine Sea Issue for the first time, asking the netizens why they’re blaming the current administration over the escalating tension between PH and China.
In his viral post, Sonza listed some of what he believed are facts in the West Philippine Issue that would pin the Aquino administration as the cause of the problem.
According to him, the reclamation of China in Spratlys started during the time of the Aquino administration, he also listed some of the actions made by the former President’s cabinet members in trying to resolve the issue.
He also claimed that the soil used by China in building the artificial islands around the WPS came from Zambales.
Here’s his post:
“Ngayon lang ako magsasalita tungkol sa West Philippine Sea o South China Sea issue. THE FACT. THE TRUTH. Nagsimula ang pagtayo ng mga structures at reclamation (tambak) ng mga isla sa Spratlys pagitan ng taong 2010 at 2016. 1. Sino ang pangulo ng republika ng pilipinas noong mga panahong iyon? Benigno Simeon Aquino III 2. Sino ang foreign affairs secretary na pumayag na hindi gagalaw ang pilipinas para angkinin ang spratlys, matapos himukin ng amerika? DFA Sec. Albert Del Rosario (BSA III appointee) 3. Sino ang inatasan ni Pres. Aquino na makipagkasundo (makipagsabwatan) o backchanneling sa mga Tsino at sinong negosyante ang gumastos sa nasabing pamamaraan? Sen Antonio Trillanes IV at MVP. 4. Sino ang pasimuno ng pagsasampa ng kaso sa Hague, habang isinasagawa ng China ang reclamation at pagtatayo stractures? senior associate justice Antonio carpio (assisted by UP Prof, Batongbacal, etc.). 5. Saan galing o nagmula ang mga panambak (reclamation) na ginamit ng China? sa Pilipinas mula Zambales, Cagayan Provinces (dalawang bundok ang pinatag (2010-2016) at black sand smuggling. 6. sino ang sinisi ngayon sa isyu? si pangulong Rody Duterte,”
The critics of the Duterte administration are blaming the President for worsening situation in West Philippine Sea.
They also raised their eyebrows over the good relationship between President Duterte and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Senate Juan Miguel Zubiri called the attention of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), and it’s secretary Martin Andanar to be more active in spreading the achievements of President Rodrigo Duterte to the people.
In a resurfaced interview last year, Zubiri was disappointed after he saw some of his fellow Mindanaoan who’s still not aware of the achievements of the former Mayor of Davao City.
According to him, not all Mindanaoan knows that there’s already an anti-hospital deposit law and the medicines are already being given for free in government-owned clinics and hospitals.
He also mentioned that even the free-tuition law which signed by President Rodrigo Duterte was not known by the people of Mindanao.
Zubiri said that the mainstream media is more active in publishing negative news that’s why some people thought that everything happening during the Duterte administration is bad.
So to fight this problem, Zubiri asked the PCOO to counter the mainstream media by spreading the good news to the people.
He believes that if PCOO does the right thing, the approval rating of the President would not go down.
“We appeal to the PCOO and Secretary Andanar to promote the good news. Kasi parati nalang bad news nakikita ng ating kababayan, syempre nafufrustrate sila.” Zubiri told the reporters.
Blogger Thinking Pinoy (TP) who also criticized the PCOO several times for allegedly not countering the mainstream media and the propaganda by the opposition, shared the video of Zubiri.
“Medyo suko na ako sa suggestion ni Sen Zubiri e. Been saying the same thing since 2016.” TP said.
Renowned Film and television director Joyce Bernal said that she would not ask for any payment for her service in directing the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday.
Bernal who’s known for her box-office hit movies, said that she was only called to direct SONA and she wholeheartedly accepted it because she believes that as a Filipino, it’s her role to contribute to the government to deliver its message to the people.
“Tinawag po ako e, bilang mamamayan so, okay po. At saka presidente natin siya and para din po sa mga tao ‘to, sa mga kababayan natin, para sa kapwa Pinoy,” Bernal told the reporters.
“Kailangan ba magpabayad doon? Hindi ako magpapabayad doon,” she added.
According to Presidential Communications Secretary Ana Marie Banaag, Bernal wanted the viewers of SONA to see how President Duterte loves his country.
“She (Bernal) wanted to show how the President loves so much this country,” Banaag said.
Bernal is very serious in planning the SONA of the President which her first time, according to Banaag the director is staying at the Malacanang and House of the Representatives.
“[Gusto nila] kung puwede kung paano siya magsasalita sa nation, [‘yon ang ipakita ko] – ‘yong pakiramdam na ‘yon kung paano magsasalita sa nation as mayor, as a father, and as the President. Gusto nilang maramdaman ‘yon at parang ibigay ‘yong feeling na ‘yon para sa Presidente paglapag niya sa Congress,” said Bernal.
The director said that she wanted the SONA to be a patriotic-themed event. She also wanted to add more lights to the house of the representatives.
“Para sa akin, para kay Presidente, let’s get into the psyche kung papaano niya ibibigay, ire-report ‘yong mga nagawa niya or gagawin niya para sa Pilipinas. Gusto ko lang na medyo patriotic lang ‘yong [mood ng SONA],” she said.
Despite being free, Bernal said that she would be more serious in directing the said event because she knows that importance of it and she’s “honored” to be part of it.
“Very honored ako. First time ko. ‘Di ‘to pagdi-direct ng romcom. ‘Di ‘to pagdi-direct ng traffic. Pagdi-direct ito ng SONA. May sasabihin ang ating ama para sa atin, para sa Pilipinas,” Bernal said.
“Pray for Manny Pacquiao” this is what sports analyst and journalist Chino Trinidad told his followers after he shared the bad news about the health condition of the ‘pambansang kamao.’
He got the news from Pacquiao’s chief publicist Aquiles Zonio, saying that the only eight weight division champion in the world has an inborn heart problem which affected his preparation against Mattyhse.
According to Zonio’s article in philboxing.com, Senator Manny Pacquiao went ‘through a painful medical procedure’ called angiogram to determine why he experienced difficulties in breathing during his training.
He also revealed that Senator Manny Pacquiao has been rushed to Cardinal Santos Memorial Hospital in Manila around 3:00 p.m, one week before his fight against the Argentinian boxer.
“Nobody knew about this – not even a single member of his training team or immediate members of his family. He didn’t want any member of his family to worry, the reason why he kept it to himself.” Zonio said in his article.
Zonio also narrated the procedure faced by Pacquiao.
“During the procedure, a long and thin flexible tube called a catheter was inserted into Pacquiao’s wrist all the way up to his heart. A dye was injected and x-ray pictures were taken.” he said.
“Based on the medical information, the special dye allows the X-rays to capture pictures of coronary arteries and highlights where the clogs or narrowed spots may be located,” he added.
Post from Chino Trinidad’s Facebook page.
After the examination, the doctor told Pacquiao about the bad news and gave him an advise to stop his upcoming fight against Mattyhse.
However, Senator Pacquiao defied the orders of his doctors and went to Malaysia to defeat Matthysse.
“I was required to run on a thread mill then an ECG was conducted. The result was quite amazing. The result showed that my heart rate and rhythm improve as my physical activity increases,” Pacquiao bared.
The bad news made the close friends of Pacquiao saddened after hearing that there’s something wrong with his heart.
“The entire medical procedure was finished around 3:00 a.m. on July and at around 7:00 a.m., we flew back to General Santos. Those who were with me were saddened and crying. But I told them, don’t worry, I’ll be okay and I’ll do everything to win the fight,” Pacquiao claimed.
“Buboy cried hard upon learning what happened. But I told him to stay strong and continue what he was doing. God will take care of the rest,” Pacquiao said.
Bombo Radyo Gensan also made an interview with Senator Pacquiao where the latter admitted the news.
Despite his condition, he won against Lucas Matthysse by TKO, but his fans and friends, including President Rodrigo Duterte urged him to retire from boxing.
“He’s already 39, not because he cannot win or lose, but I like to see my friend rest on his laurels at this time and enjoy life,” Duterte said.
“He (Pacquiao) has so much money already, no problem,” the President quipped.
A political author Cecilio T. Arillo revealed that former President Cory Aquino allegedly spent 1 trillion worth of ghost projects and spread the fake news in 1990 by claiming that she “built 3,6365 kilometers of major roads and 18,120 kilometers of feeder roads from 1986 to 1990.”
To prove their article, they quoted former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, trying to debunk the claims of Aquino saying that she actively built infrastructure around the Philippines.
“The kilometers of roads should be easily visible, for the greatest length of the archipelago north to south is 1,851 kilometers only,” Enrile said.
“Perhaps, the President and her Cabinet members should tell us where these new roads are. Frankly, I have not seen any in my travels in the countryside. Of course, some could be located inside Hacienda Luisita, as one Commission on Audit report disclosed.” he added.
Enrile also noticed that the claims of Cory Aquino, saying that she already irrigated 27,530 hectares of farmlands might even not real.
“Where are these irrigated farmlands located?” Enrile asked. “Could these be in Tarlac or some planet like Mars? If this claim is true, why are we still importing rice and corn?” Enrile said.
The Senator pointed out that in 1988, Aquino imported 187,154 metric tons of rice and 172,263 MT of corn, which according to him is an evidence that Cory is only whitewashing the public.
“People in the rural areas often ask me for public funds to provide them with safe drinking water. With 51,820 water-supply projects, each of our 41,000 barangays should have at least one [water supply] project. But where are these water-supply projects?” he said.
“When told about these “water-supply projects,” barangay residents reacted in disbelief. Could it be that our barangay folks, ordinary mortals like us, are blind and do not see what the exalted officials of the Aquino administration see?” he added.
Because of this alleged corruption, Enrile labeled the ghost projects as “One Trillion pesos staggers the imagination,”
According to Enrile, the 1 trillion pesos which allegedly went to ghost projects, if really went to the people would be so useful and life changing.
“If that sum of money were judiciously used, we would be seeing today immense and dramatic improvement in the quality of our life. And yet, in terms of visible physical and structural infrastructure achievement, the Aquino administration pales in comparison with the regime it replaced.”
“If we sum up all the money granted to the Marcos regime from 1966 to 1985, a period of 20 years, as against the four years of the Aquino administration, the total would not come anywhere near the fabulous amount of one trillion pesos.”
“One trillion pesos could have created 20 million classrooms for children, complete with teaching aids; constructed 10 million modest homes for the poor; obtained 1 million passenger buses for weary commuters; or established one health center for each of the country’s 41,000 barangays.
“One trillion pesos could have erected one emergency hospital each for 1,600 towns, one general hospital for every congressional district, and one medical complex in every city and province—all of them equipped with the most modern medical facilities rendering free medicines and medical services to 60 million Filipinos.
“One trillion pesos could have irrigated 24 million hectares of rice land, sufficient to produce 2.4 billion cavans of palay per harvest, which would not only reverse the country’s plight as a rice-importing nation, but also place the Philippines as the No 1 rice producer in Southeast Asia.”
It seems that megastar Sharon Cuneta really loves her Tatay Digong.
During their meeting at the roll-out of Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) new Airbus A350 and A321 Neo aircraft at the Lufthansa Technik Philippines located in the Macro Asia Special Economic Zone of Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on July 17, 2018, Sharon Cuneta has been spotted hugging and kissing the President.
Before their meeting, Cuneta who’s at the stage to perform during the event greeted President Rodrigo Duterte and Philippine Airlines CEO Lucio Tan who’s celebrating his 83rd birthday.
She also said that the song that she’s going to perform is dedicated to the President.
“This song (Pure Imagination by Gene Wilder) has been specially chosen for this occasion, Mr. President this is for you,” Cuneta said before she started her performance.
The photos which uploaded by Facebook fan page I am Pinoy, Proud Ako receive different reactions from the netizens.
Some were happy about the recent encounter between Cuneta and Duterte, while the others expressed their doubts about the real intention of the megastar as the well-known singer has been married to Senator Kiko Pangilinan, one of the fiercest critic of President Duterte.
“Ingat… Ingat sa mga ninja moves ng mga opposition, marami patibong.” Netizen Leojj Senaibe said
“Sa tingin ko walang drama ang yakap na yan. Totoong totoo… pasasalamat sa mga nagawa ng ating Presidente para sa mamamayan at sa bayan.” Nico Nuico remarked.
A netizen also explained why Sharon is very close to Duterte. She also urged the supporters of the President to give the megastar a chance to show her love to Tatay Digong.
“Ang tatay ni Sharon ay isang malapit At mabuting kaibigan ng pangulo. Na miss nya lang ang papa nya ng makita ang pangulo. Kaya ganon ang kiss nya dahil ayaw nya malagyan ng lipstick ang pisngi ng pangulo. The love and the hug is real! we can’t judge her because asawa sya ni kiko. Give her a chance na mahalin ang pangulo kagaya ng pagmamahal natin sa kanya” Netizen Dahlia Ornopia said.
The support of Cuneta to Duterte was publicly known, despite being the wife of the opposition leader, it didn’t stop her from praising the President on social media.
“Everyone let’s aim for peace here. Doesn’t matter. We know they (Duterte and Pangilinan) are on opposing sides. But I appreciate the President’s respect for him, and me, and my friendship with Inday Sara which started long before anyone knew Pres. Duterte was going to run for his present position,” Cuneta said last year in her Facebook post.
Duterte also shared that his daughter Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte is a solid Sharon Cuneta fan.
“Ma’am Sharon, thank you for remembering me, I am your good friend. Yung daughter ko na si Sara (Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio) eh talagang ina-idolize ka hanggang ngayon.” President Duterte said in a video message that he sent to Cuneta.
Despite the exchanges of sweet message between his wife and President Duterte, Senator Kiko Pangilinan remained silence and didn’t comment about Cuneta’s close relationship with his political enemy.
Senator Manny Pacquiao, the only boxer who became the 8 division world champion has been cheered by many Filipinos and foreigners all around the world.
However, when the ‘Pambansang Kamao’ entered politics and expressed his support to President Rodrigo Duterte, everything has changed, the people became divided and some of them even publicly ridiculed Pacquiao because of his beliefs.
Because of this division among Filipinos, Dan Jimenez, a blogger, and UST alumnus couldn’t stop himself from writing a letter addressed to the critics of Senator Manny Pacquiao who seems forgot the honor that the Filipino boxer gave to the Philippines.
Jimenez pointed out that no Filipino has raised the pride of the country higher than the Senator.
He also highlighted that the Senator served the “laylayan” society by building houses and hospitals for the poor while the “opposition” who claimed that they’re the servant of the marginalized, quickly forgot their promises after they won the election.
The UST alumnus was saddened the Pacquiao became the victim of Philippine politics where even the people who really wanted to serve are being demonized and mocked by the people who are not aligned with their political beliefs.
According to Jimenez, despite the education, fame, and money gained by Pacquiao from boxing, the supporters of the opposition would still look at Pacman as a “boxer” who’s incompetent in serving the public.
He believes that Pacquiao whom he labeled as a “national treasure” doesn’t deserve to be ridiculed just because he supports President Duterte.
You can read his whole post below:
Pacquiao Proud
A splinter in one’s toe shoots pain all the way to the brain. Not only is it bothersome, it hurts. Much like the damning criticisms hurled against Paquiao because he praised Duterte right after his victory. The hate openly expressed in social media and the subtle “left hooks” by the traditional press make a true Filipino question: are we as a people really damned to be divided?
In the world stage of sports, no Filipino has raised the country higher than Pacquiao. With 11 titles in 8 weight divisions, no boxer will ever come close. Nobody. More than that, no Filipino prizefighter has helped more of his “kababayans” with money from his own pocket. He has built houses, schools and a hospital for those what the opposition romantically calls “laylayan” of society. Those who are only of use during elections but are quickly forgotten by the victors who promised heaven on earth. The marginalized are not only Pacquaio’s constituents, they are his genuine concern.
He was an unschooled runaway driven by poverty to boxing. He started fighting professionally even before it was legal for him to do so because he must eat and survive. He burst into the world stage like a whirlwind. Fast. Furious. Unfazed. Without fear. He was cheered by foreigners, even by his vanquished opponents. For Filipinos the world over, it was an honor to be identified as Pacquiao’s compatriot. It felt good.
Politics has a way of demonizing even the most well-intentioned. Philippine politics has fine-tuned it to a science, no one is immune. Even a national treasure like Pacquaio.
It was a weekend of champions. France won the World Cup, Djokovic won Wimbledon, Pacquiao won the WBA Welterweight Championship belt. Only Pacquiao was pilloried for his political pronouncement. Only Pacquiao was belittled for what he believes. Just be a boxer, one critic said. A comment that summarized the elitist attitude against one who will never belong no matter how rich or exalted Pacquiao becomes. He will always be the unschooled runaway driven by poverty to boxing. Just a boxer.
As the weekend fades and the grind turns to survival and living, the applause fades and the accolades get muted. Athletes put away their championships and prepare for the next tournament, the next fight. True Filipinos will look forward to when their champion will fight again while those with heartfelt concerns will wish he retires now. No dragons are left to slay for one who has done more than his share. Still, the voices of those who hate Pacquiao’s politics will not be subdued nor be tempered. As a Duterte supporter, he, too, must be destroyed. Being a national treasure notwithstanding.
There is more appreciation expressed by those who see Pacquiao as a personification of excellence, as the embodiment of triumph against all odds, as an inspiration bar none. He has accomplished what is not possible, do what can not be done. To the downtrodden, those who were born without hope nor the wherewithal to better themselves, he will remain the dream that can come true. That yes, nothing is impossible.
He will one day, fade away and generations after may never see another one like him. Still, those who knew him will always remember and appreciate what he did for the Filipino, for the ordinary human being.
Senator Manny Pacquiao warned the netizens to be careful of what they’re sharing.
On Tuesday, the new WBA Welterweight Champion debunked the social media post claiming that he made a raffle on Facebook for his supporters.
“Nakarating sa aking kaalaman na may mga kumakalat na balita sa social media na ako ay mamimigay ng mga premyo bilang balato dahil sa aking pagkaka panalo. Nais ko pong ipaalam sa lahat na walang katotohanan ang mga ito,” Pacquiao swaid in his statement.
One fake Facebook page claiming to be Senator Manny Pacquiao posted that they’re going to give house or car to 60 people and they would automatically join the raffle if the netizens are going to like the said fan page and comment “Congrats.”
Example of “Manny Pacquiao’ Facebook scam.
The scam went viral two days ago after the Senator won against Lucas Matthysse.
One Facebook page already got 310,000 likes using this scheme, while two other pages reached 150,000 by tricking people.
Examples of Facebook pages that used the scheme,
The fake Facebook page of Sen. Pacquiao which already gained 310,000 likes already deleted the raffle and now posting photos of Pacman.
It seems that the fake Facebook page is earning money by plugging the website viralnational.com.
When we tried to dig deeper, we discovered that a certain John Light Claro from Cebu City owns viralnational.com.
We used the whois search to know some of the information about the owner of the said website.
Whois search results of viralnational.com
It seems that the owner of the fake Sen. Pacquiao’s page is not yet done with scamming people.
Two hours ago, said Facebook page shared another raffle from a Facebook page called “Philippines Charity Foundation” promising appliances to the netizens who will join the “raffle” again.
Philippines Charity Foundation is using the logo of Team Pacquiao.
We are trying to get the side of Mr. Claro if he’s really involved in the Manny Pacquiao scam.
Meanwhile, several netizens who realized that the said Facebook posts are the scam, they started to warn other people and urged them to report the page.
“Not an official page,” Netizen Joseph Nalam Lejano posted.
“Imbes na i like nyo report nyo nalang fake page nga.. Bukas makalawa iba naman pangalan ng page na to para makarami lang ng likes ginagamit pangalan ni Sen. Manny Pacquiao,” Netizen Rexwar Jawad Tawas remarked.
It’s not yet known if the Senator is going to file a case against the people who are using his name to scam people.
ABS-CBN publicist Eric John Salut is one of the Filipinos who is not happy with the victory of Senator Manny Pacquiao yesterday against Lucas Matthysse.
After Pacquiao defeated Matthysse via TKO during the 7th round, Eric John Salut couldn’t stop himself from bashing the Senator and his supporters on Twitter.
Eric Salut is a known critic of the Duterte administration, a hint why the publicist was so disappointed after he saw Pacquiao’s victory who’s a close friend of the President.
“Kung ipinatanggol nya ang Panginoon sa pambabalahura ni Duterte, magiging proud pa ako sa kanya! Ano’ng ginagawa nya? Wag ako!” Salut said in his post.
He even warned the supporters of Senator Pacquiao, not to dictate him on what he wants to say.
Salut even labeled Filipino boxing champ “pinaka-b*b*ng senador,” which triggered many solid fans of Pacquiao.
He also pointed out the silence of Pacquiao who’s a Christian Pastor during the criticisms of his political ally, President Rodrigo Duterte against the Bible.
Salut also criticized Pacquiao on Facebook, calling him the laziest senator.
These series of social media post from Salut sparked outrage among Filipino boxing fans.
“Hey @ABSCBN next time wag nyo nang i broadcast yung laban ni Pacquiao kasi ayaw ni Salut” @julia_santos112 said.
Hey @ABSCBN next time wag nyo nang i broadcast yung laban ni Pacquiao kasi ayaw ni Salut ???
A netizen even urged Salut to just be thankful for what Pacquiao has done to the country.
“Anyways you’re not on his position to judge him as a senator and as a Christian especially as an athlete. Instead on focusing on things he have missed why don’t you just thank him enough for the Glory he has brought to the Philippines and also to God!” Netizen @clyde_virtucio said.
Salut’s anger to the Duterte administration should not be the reason to criticize Pacquiao, according to @trinakinss
“WOW. Manny as a public servant is a whole notha story! BUT You can’t change the fact that he brings honor to Philippines! he loves his countrymen, he helps the poor, he loves his family& most esp he honors GOD. kung bitter ka sa buhay mo at galit ka kay Du30 don’t take it out on PACMAN!” @trinakinss told Salut.
Pacquiao is not yet releasing a statement on the criticisms of Salut against him.
Veteran journalist Jay Sonza spoke for the first time about the issue on the disputed West Philippine Sea.
As a journalist, Sonza followed the issue between China and Philippines since 2010, and he shared to his followers his insights on who’s the people who must blame on this trouble.
He believes that the former administration and his men should be blamed for the worsened development on the West Philippine Sea.
Sonza pointed out that most of the reclamation happened during the former Aquino administration and he claimed that the people appointed by ex-President Noynoy to handle the situation only made it worse.
He mentioned Former President Aquino, former DFA Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Senator Antonio Trillanes, businessman Manny V. Pangilinan, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and U.P Prof Jay Batongbacal.
To further prove his point, Sonza also pointed out that the soil used to build the artificial islands in the Spratlys originated in Luzon, a sign that the former administration didn’t take action to stop China from making the islands which believed to be a Chinese military base now.
However, Sonza said that despite this failures, the current opposition which aligned with the Aquinos keeps blaming President Duterte for what currently happening now in the West Philippine Sea.
You can read his whole post below:
Ngayon lang ako magsasalita tungkol sa West Philippine Sea o South China Sea issue. THE FACT. THE TRUTH. Nagsimula ang pagtayo ng mga structures at reclamation (tambak) ng mga isla sa Spratlys pagitan ng taong 2010 at 2016. 1. Sino ang pangulo ng republika ng pilipinas noong mga panahong iyon? Benigno Simeon Aquino III 2. Sino ang foreign affairs secretary na pumayag na hindi gagalaw ang pilipinas para angkinin ang spratlys, matapos himukin ng amerika? DFA Sec. Albert Del Rosario (BSA III appointee) 3. Sino ang inatasan ni Pres. Aquino na makipagkasundo (makipagsabwatan) o backchanneling sa mga Tsino at sinong negosyante ang gumastos sa nasabing pamamaraan? Sen Antonio Trillanes IV at MVP. 4. Sino ang pasimuno ng pagsasampa ng kaso sa Hague, habang isinasagawa ng China ang reclamation at pagtatayo stractures? senior associate justice Antonio carpio (assisted by UP Prof, Batongbacal, etc.). 5. Saan galing o nagmula ang mga panambak (reclamation) na ginamit ng China? sa Pilipinas mula Zambales, Cagayan Provinces (dalawang bundok ang pinatag (2010-2016) at black sand smuggling. 6. sino ang sinisi ngayon sa isyu? si pangulong Rody Duterte.
Despite the victory gained by the Philippines against China in the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016, the Chinese government said that it would not accept the ruling.
Because of this, the Duterte government made a new strategy and now made friends with China to cool the situation.
