TULOY ANG IMPEACHMENT! CONGRESSO NAGKAISA ITULOY LABAN PARA MAPANAGOT AN...

Unlikely Duo

 

The once called UNITEAM, an alliance between two formidable political dynasties in the country that brought a record-breaking turnout and a victory in the 2022 national election, had slowly and gradually deteriorated in 2023, and before the clock struck twelve, the green and the red were heading to splitville.

It was like the parting of the Red Sea ... the odd couple, or was it the unlikely duo(?), were trying to salvage the marriage that was doomed at the get-go, what with the constant interference of the father of the bride painting the groom as the weak leader.

And just like the proverbial, too much water has passed the bridge ... these two strange bedfellows had formally called it quits and declared officially their divorce.

The residual ashes after their unholy alliance ... their matrimonial separation created a family feud that has become a long-standing and bitter conflict, and everyone was siphoned into the arena as combatants ... and the hatred permeates all levels, including supporters, allies, families, and friends ... not to mention trolls.

The war of words has become dirty, which segues to name-calling, character assassination, and blackmailing, and trolls become more advanced as they resort to fake news and fake videos and AI-generated propaganda and images.

And with all these materials lobbed onto the internet ... a sense and a perception of disarray is felt. Casualties are being picked up in the streets like flood victims ... and measures were made to give a semblance of normalcy. Or was it?

The most important events are so many ... but let me mention the important ones.

1. Inday Sara s resignation from OVP

2. The confidential funds scandal

3. The impeachment of the Vice President

4. The POGO controversy

5.  The creation of Quad Com

6.  Joel Chua's Committee on Good Government hearings

7.  Cassandra Li Ong and Alice Go HOR trials

8. Harry Roque on the hot seat

9. Fake News Hearing

10. ICC Arrest of Digong

11. Harry Roque Becomes Fugitive

12. The 2025 Midterm Election

13. Senate Delay Impeachment Trial

14. Supreme Court Ruling 

15. Impeachment Complaints were Unconstitutional

Where else and what else is being expected shortly? We heard about Quadcom 2.0, and will the Supreme Court reverse its ruling? What more twists and turns will follow with all these convoluted political melodramas?

I'd better buy and store more popcorn in the shelf. It looked like the most exciting part of BBM's term will start streaming!

PS (Thanks to the Rappler for the Political image)

Sidelight and Lowlights 2

Ang isang matalinhagang nangyari dito sa Sara Duterte's impeachment ay yong, DINELAY ng Senado ang proseso for six months ... tapos naghintay sila ng decision ng Supreme Court. Kahit bumagyo at habang binabaha ang Manila ... isang himalang natapos ng SC ... at unanimous pa ang verdict na UNCONSTITUTIONAL daw . At immediately EXECUTORY.

Natulogan na nga tayo sa pagmaniobra ni Chiz ... pero isang himalang nagawa naman ng SC ang assignment nila kahit kumukulog at kumikidlat ang buong kaMaynilaan. Isang katanongan din how they come out with the decision sa gitna ng baha. Nagkonsulta ba sila via ZOOM ... pinagdiskusyonan  at mayroom bang deliberation ... or hinayaan na lang ang ponente at in a few days sinulat niya yong take note ... 97 pages para maihabol bago ang SONA at bago magconvene ang Senate as 20th Congress?

                                    >>>>>>>>>>>>

At ngayong may ruling na ang SC, ayaw magpatinag ang Senado at kailangan nilang isurpass ang speed ng mataas na hukom ... ano sila lang ba ang magbida sa mata ng tao? (medyo doubtful ang line of thought na ito  kasi anim na buwan ba naman nila tayong pinaghintay?)

At ngayong may ruling na ,,, nakapagtataka na last August 6 nagkukumahog na magbotohan na daw sila. Ano ba ang PINAGMAMADALI nila? Kung noon ay halos HARANGAN nila ng sibat ang process ... tapos ngayon hindi mo mawari kung sinisilihan  or sinisilaban ba ang mga puwet nila at kailangan magbotohan na. Ano ba ang niluluto nila?

                                     >>>>>>>>>>>>

Noong wala pa ang ruling ... hindi ninyo ba napansin na napakatahimik ng Senado? I hate to mention names pero more than half of them ay umiiwas magbigay ng kanilang mga ipinyon.

Pero ngayon sinalba na sila ng SC  nag-aagawan sila sa camera (onviously sa pogi points) at buong giting silang nagsusumamo sa mga madlang people na "irespeto natin ang mataas na hukom." nagsalita na ang Supreme Court ..." wala na tayong magawa ... desisyon yan ng mga diyoses ng Padre Faura? Hah ... surrender agad?

                                    >>>>>>>>>>>>>

Di ba ... bago ang ruling nakita pa natin ang ilan sa ating mga senador at buong tapang (or was it kahambugan) na sinasabi: "Not even the Supreme Court ay pwedeng makialam sa amin, We have the mandate to try and decide at walang makapigil sa amin kung yon na nga ang gagawin namin."

After maigawad ang decision ng Supreme Court ... nagbago na ang kanilang posisyon at barrative. Mag-aabide na raw sila SC's ruling. "we should stand by and obey whatever they say. " Katwiran nga mga apologists nila: "Kaya nga tinawag silang Supreme Court eh ... sila ang pinaka-Supreme." Hah?

                                    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Hindi ba nila naisip na meron pang MR at motion for reconsideration na hinihintay na ginawa ng HOR (House of Representatives)? At meron ding MR yong dalawa pang grupo na kinabilangan ng dalawang former justices? Imagine former Supreme Court judges nabahala sa mga ruling ng mga kabaro nila?

Paano kung bumaliktad ang ruling pagkatapos mabasa nila ang the most comprehensive at surgical na MR sa balat ng lupa? Paano kung merong mga judges na nakonsensiya at nahimasmasan at the last minute? And truly may mga precedent already in the past  na may bumaliktad na mga huwes at na-reverse na mga decision pagkatapos nila magbigay ng ruling?

                                 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>

At paano nga if the situation was reversed? Kung naidismiss na nga (c/o the senior congressman, now Sophomore Senator Rodante Marcoleta, now head of the most powerful Blue Ribbon committee) paano mo pa mabuksan ang impeachment ...di ba naibasura na ninyo? Yan kasi dahil sa sobra ninyong pagmamadali.

Mabuti na lang merong Tito Sotto at Ping at Risa ang Senado na ayaw mapahiya ang grupo nila. Dito na pumasok na pagbotohan ang motion to archive(c/o Alan Peter Cayetano at motion to table (c/o Tito Sotto). Dito pa lang medyo natisod na si Marcoleta ... we are wondering what would Blue Ribbon committee like under his stewardship.

                                 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Talking about PAGMAMADALI ... we are smiling when Tito Sen reminded us of the maxim: "Ang taong NAGMAMADALI at naglalakad ng matulin ... kapag NATINIK ... malalim."

Ayaw naman magpatalo ang LOLO ninyo. At his age and his deep facial furrows ...ang bilis talaga gumana ng utak lalo na kung gusto niyang bumawi. Eh sensitive yan ay ayaw niya talagang maisahan. Eh sabi ba naman, "Hindi naman siguro malalim ... kasi naka-sapatos daw siya." Tawanan ang lahat.

                                 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Lawyer's Mumbo Jumbo

PHRASE: Persona non grata

MEANING: Persona non grata" is a Latin term meaning "unwelcome person." In diplomacy, it refers to a foreign diplomat who is no longer welcome in a host country, often leading to their expulsion. In a broader context, it can signify that a person is unwelcome in a particular place, city, or community due to their actions or behavior.
Yes, a Filipino citizen can be declared persona non grata in a specific locality or even across the Philippines. While the term is often associated with diplomats, it can also be used in non-diplomatic contexts to express disapproval of someone's actions or behavior, even if they are a Filipino citizen.

EXAMPLE: The people of Davao were not happy when Vice Ganda, in his recent concert with Regine Velasquez in Araneta, made a Jet-ski holiday skit- a satire of the FPRRD campaign promise where he boasted he is going to the Spratly Islands in a jet ski and plant the Filipino flag there.

In his skit ... Vice Ganda said this: “Nothing beats a jet ski holiday, right now from Manila to the West Philippine Sea via jet ski. Get unlimited water bombing from Chinese vessels and a free trip to The Hague by the ICC (International Criminal Court). Promo applies to DDS (Diehard Duterte Supporters) only. Pinklawans and BBMs are prohibited. Huwag niyo akong subukan, mga pu****i** niyo (Don’t try my patience, you sons of b******),” Vice Ganda said.

The joke did not sit well with the people of Davao ... and some of them plan to slap him and declare him PERSONA NON GRATA.

MY COMMENT: I know there are a lot of people in Davao who are not used to hearing and seeing satires, parodies, irony, burlesque lampoon, and the like. People like Harry Roque will not understand what the motive is behind this ... but definitely a comedian like Vice Ganda, in fairness to him, didn't have any sinister intentions to make fun of the ex-President. He is just doing his work ... and any people who don't have a background in literary writing (that's including me) will surely feel aggravated watching the show.

I don't blame Harry Roque for asking, "What did Tatay Digong do to you to deserve this? I appreciate their frustration, but declaring VG persona non grata in Davao is too harsh.

Unknown to many, there are a lot of performing arts and literary devices, and VG is a comedian, and he was asked to perform one of the genres as mentioned above.

A Satire is strong irony or sarcasm—"in satire, irony is militant", said one literary critic. It is designed to imitate, comment on, and/or mock its subject using satirical or ironic imitation. It uses humor, exaggeration, irony, or ridicule to highlight the flaws and absurdities of people and society. It often targets politics and social issues to provoke thought.

A parody is characterized by three fundamental elements: imitation, exaggeration, and humor. These components work in tandem to create a distinct narrative style that both mimics and mocks the original subject.

Burlesque is a form of grotesque and exaggerated parody or imitation that is often seen in creative writing. It involves exaggerating a subject in a way that causes amusement or laughter. While burlesque is often seen as a bawdy form of entertainment, it is also an important tool for writers.

A lampoon, on the other hand, is a piece of writing or a speech that uses humour to harshly criticise someone or something. It's a vicious satire in prose or verse that makes a gratuitous, often unfair, and malicious assault on an individual.

Whatever technique VG used in the concert, it worked because the audience bought it. Whether he uses the concert as a vehicle to verbalize his political frustrations ... we don't know. Does he have hidden motives ... we don't know either.

But as far as we know, artists don't really appreciate it if the government also encroaches on their craft, chokes their creative juices, and throttles their artistic freedom, the way some other branch of government encroaches on the affairs of another branch.

The phrase "art imitates life" suggests that creative works, such as movies, skits, paintings, literature, or music, are inspired by or reflect real-world experiences, events, and emotions. It means that artists often draw inspiration from their own lives and the world around them to create their art.

The Highlights and The Sidelight of August 6 Senate Voting

I can't get enough of what transpired that fateful August 6 in the Senate. I was prepared to be blown out of my wits ... na ikinahulog ko sa aking upuan ... pati na ang aking sense of right and wrong ay fractured na ... not even a surgery can make it whole again.

Maraming NAKAKA-ALIW na nangyayari c/o the amusing supporting cast ng Senado ... at marami ring  NAKAKABALIW na eksena starring the same cast. Everybody was on edge ... hindi mapigilan ng iba ang "magnakaw eksena" mahagip at mapansin man lang ng camera.

                                     >>>>>>>>>>>

Senator Rodante Marcoleta was commissioned as the harbinger of doom when, for the second time around, the Senate motioned that the impeachment case against the VP be dismissed. Siya ang naatasan to do the dirty work this time ... nakakahiya man at kapapasok pa lang niya sa Senado ... ito na agad ang kanyang first assignment. He willingly obliged to show gratitude at pasasalamat sa pamilya sa kanyang pagkapanalo. 

Ginawa na ito ni Senator Bato noong nagconvene ang Senado (also to prove his loyalty to the family) at pasasalamat na rin sa kanyang Top 3 performance last election. He was the first elite hit squad member assigned to test the Senate waters to see if it was ripe for them to try to dismiss without really rocking the boat. PAPALIT-PALIT at PALIPAT-LIPAT lang ang mga naatasan ... para hindi naman masyadong halata.

                                        >>>>>>>>>>>>

Ganoon na sila ka desperate? And yes, DESPERATE TIMES call for DESPERATE MEASURES? 

"Desperate times call for desperate measures" means that when faced with severe hardship or crisis, it may be necessary to take extreme or unconventional actions that would not be considered appropriate under normal circumstances. Bato and Marcoleta knew the awesome task they would have to do. Facing the camera, they have already thought of the backlash they have to endure after braving their front to make a motion to dismiss. And they have to do ... what they have to do. What else can they do? ... because somebody has to do it somehow... and the family they owe a lot to, expects urgent positive results pronto!

                                       >>>>>>>>>>>>

And the rest was history.  Senator Bato tried it, dismissing the impeachment case for the first time. And like a clockwork, his motion was met with a lot of resistance ... opposition ... and disapproval from its critics... and the people.

The character of Senator Cayetano came to the scene in Act 3. And to soften and neutralize the acid reflux and the heartburn brought about by the motion for DISMISSAL ... Cayetano has to do divine intervention ... as he segued from dismissal to REMAND ... and the rest of the senators thought it was a stroke of genius and said AMEN ... except for the five.(Hontiveros, Pimentil, Poe, Binay and Gatchalian)

                                   >>>>>>>>>>>>>

The no-nonsense Marcoleta also tried his luck, dismissing the case, and with Tito Soto and Ping Lacson on the guard ... they were almost successful in making Rodante's motion have a semblance of a stalemate ... an impasse. I can still think of other words similar to that (deadlock, stand-off, dead-end, stand-still) just to show my appreciation that they were there as guardian angels. 

And thanks to Cayetano again ... the ever dependable knight in shining armor came to his rescue and miraculously switched from DISMISSAL...to a more acceptable and comfortable alternative ... TO ARCHIVE. Teka ... teka... deja vu na naman? And the rest of the senators say AMEN (except for Soto and the troika of Hontiveros, Pangilinan, and Aquino; Lacson abstained)

                                    >>>>>>>>>>>>

While Cayetano was making his presentation, he was making some sort of dog and pony show with his partner Marcoleta, or was it the Matt and Jeff technique, where one person acts aggressively ("bad cop"), while the other acts friendly and understanding ("good cop"). 

The Q and A portion was a big letdown because the two were not in sync with each other. Though they may have practiced it several times ... they sounded and looked rehearsed ... and Marcoleta fumbled because he was not listening to his cues.

                                      >>>>>>>>>>>>

When praised by Cayetano that Marcoleta is for the rights of everyone ... that he was only adopted by PDP ... but he is not a member of the Duterte block ... and that he is not running as a partisan - that didn't register well as seen in Marcoleta's poker-faced expression. He may be a good debater ... but not a good actor when the situation calls for it. That spoiled the presentation.

He looked awkward and hesitant answering the question ... and it is obvious that he didn't agree with the way the script of their tableau was written. Was it guilt written in his gnarled face when asked if he was not a member of the Duterte block? And was it shame the reason why he panicked when asked if he was for the rights of everyone ... and why a heavy and a delayed YES answer ... when asked if he is non-partisan?

                                   >>>>>>>>>>>>`

In the bench, the camera happened to stop by the face of Bato. He must be thankful he was relieved of the burden of making the motion for dismissal for the second time.

It might be too much to say he has been staring at the two having Q & A ...and Bato was nothing but praise and gratitude. The way he looked at Marcoleta while watching the rehearsed tableau, his eyes twinkled like he was a doting father admiring his son's greatest performance. Others were joking: "They have a mutual brotherly admiration society. Others asked ... was it bromance to some?

                                 >>>>>>>>>>>>

TO BE CONTINUED ...

                                            

Huwag Maging Judgmental

This sounds too shallow and trivial ... pero pinatulan ko na rin. Hindi dahil wala na akong maisip na content ... naisip kong merong ding moral lesson ang story. One way or the other.

Isang doktor kasi ang nagpost ng inquiry sa itaas. Seryoso ang pakiusap sa tingin ko ... pero mali yata ang lugar na kanyang pinili. Sa social media ba naman ... may magseryoso ba sa inquiry niya? Bihira lang siguro.

Kung hindi kantiyaw ang aabotin niya ... pagtatawanan  pa siya. Wala siyang makuhang matinong sagot sa internet. Kadalasan, ang mga nakakita ng post niya ... kahit hindi nila kilala ... sasali at sasali ang mga iyan kahit hindi mo na kailangan.. More often than not nagpapa-cute ang mga reply ...kung sino ang makagawa ng reply that will amke the reader smile yon ang gial nila ... pero meron din nambibwisit at nang-iinsulto.

Tawa nga ako ng tawa sa unang tingin ... dahil umaga pa lang good vibes na ang dating. Pero kalauna'y naawa ako sa sumulat ... doktor pa man din siya? 

Ito ang nakakatawang mga response.

>> "Okey lang daw Doc.  Isama mo na lang sa condo ang mga sisiw mo". Magsama kayo ng mga alaga mo."

>> "Interesado daw ang tiyohin ko Doc. Kung okey lang sa iyo ikaw na mag-alaga ng sisiw sa condo at babalikan na lang niya ikaw diyan after 45 days pata mai-convert na sa cash."

>> "Magdala ka ba ng kulungan Doc ... o hayaan mo nang gumala sa loob ng condo ang mga manok.."

>> Gaano ka ba katagal sa condo Doc ... hindi mo sinabi? Isang linggo ... dalawa ... isang buwan? Naku baka forever ha? 

Interesado akong sagotin kung gaano katagal sa Manila ang doctor. May poultry din kasi kami ... 45 days chicken at layer farming (egg raising). Kung ang isang sisiw ay P30 pesos (mura na yan ha) i-multiply natin ito sa 500  ang total ay P15,000.00. Kung ang isang sakong feeds a P1,700 ... more or less ang bayad niya sa iyo ay P16,700.

Ang isang murang renta sa condo sa Manila for one month is between 15 to 17 kiyaw. So sa tantiya ko mga isang buwan si Doc sa Manila.

O huwag ninyong pagtawanan si Doc. Istrikto yan sa pera. Bago niya sinabi s atin na 500 sisiw (walang labis walang kulang) at isang sakong patuka ang kapalit ... nakuwenta na niya lahat. Memoryado na. Matik na yon! 

Moral lesson ... huwag maging judgmental (with apologies to Eat Bulaga)

Words Are All He Had

 

In my last post, the people's attention focused on Inday Sara and her propensity for using words, phrases, and statements (often intended to spite political foes) so vitriolic that more often than not ... they come back to haunt her peace.

She has the tendency to act on urges and desires without considering the repercussions and its potential consequences. And when she started lashing out, she had little regard for negative outcomes.

She has a tendency to act on a whim, displaying behavior characterized by little or no forethought, reflection, or consideration of what should be.

>>>>>>>>>>

Unfortunately, aside from her, there are other government officials who have no temerity to use their mouths when walls are closing in on them. They lash out ... and tongue lash whoever is on the way. Senate President Francis Escudero, without lifting a finger, effortlessly issued strong statements addressed to the Congressmen in the Senate hearing last August 6, 2026.

Halatang may pinaparinggan. Salitang matalim ... malupit pa sa "petmalu" ... maanghang at matalas ... if you are faint-hearted sapul ka sa major artery .

>>>>>>>>>>>

Francis has his own way with words - he has the habit of using the five Ps (proclivity, predisposition, propensity, penchant, and predilection for carefully selected words that are particularly effective or impactful in a given context) once the target is identified. Lalo na siguro kung may pinagkahugutan.

And beware of his choice of words because his language stings... "nanunoot sa kalamnan ... nararamdaman at tumatalab."

I just hope he is aware that people can use the same strong words and make them boomerang in his direction to pique and upset him.

>>>>>>>>>>>

Let us examine what he said: "To those seeking to disregard the decision of the Supreme Court ... Are you really for accountability or simply anti-Duterte?" It rhymes, ha?

The House of Representatives defenders (vloggers and netizens) use the same parallelism to get back at him: " Are you really for Sara Duterte .... that you forget accountability?" And they can reverse it this way: " Are you really for accountability, or are you just pro-Sara? Or worse: " Are you the Senator for the VP ... and you forget you're the Senator for the Filipino people?"

See what I mean? Strong words vs strong words? And just like Energizer Bunny... this discussion will go on and on. No ending. Unstoppable and relentless.

>>>>>>>>>>>>

He also said: "Do you really respect and want to preserve the constitution, or do you simply hate the Vice President?"

The netizen answered back: "You simply love the Vice President ... everything you do is all for her. Some quarters think he has disrespected the Constitution by trying to change and amend it ... anything that suits the needs of the VP and her political convenience? "

See? The way I expected the netizens to say.

>>>>>>>>>>>>

Escudero said the Senate “is not your playground to run after your political enemies” and that the chamber would never be “an accomplice in any grand scheme.”

The reader's comeback said: "Well, the Senate is not your football field ... a license to derail impeachment proceedings ... and this chamber should not be an accessory to whitewash, suppress, and hide the truth.

The Senate should follow its mandate to try and judge and not kowtow to another co-equal branch. Let alone encroach on your chamber ... and make decisions for you. Talking about over-reaching of powers. Or was that abuse of discretion (when other legal authority makes a decision that is unreasonable, arbitrary, or not supported by the facts or law)

>>>>>>>>>>>>

And lastly ... Escudero said: “To the House of Representatives, I say, do not allow yourselves to be used for the blind hatred and ambition of a few, who did things haphazardly, gravely abused their discretion, and violated due process rights under the Constitution as found by the high court itself."

The HOR, as far as we know, has not used blind hatred to compel them to file the impeachment complaints. What made them do it ... is their thirst fo