A Dose Of His Own Medicine

The table was turned, and Divine Justice had its way of "reminding the abusers of their excesses." Heaven has its way of making someone remember their actions or behaviors that went far past the limits of what is considered acceptable, reasonable, or moral.

During the 2020 House hearings on ABS-CBN's franchise renewal, Representative Rodante Marcoleta insisted that ABS-CBN had tax deficiencies and had not been paying the correct amount of taxes to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). He claimed the network "hid" the right amount of taxes it owed, often through its subsidiary, Big Dipper. 

He continued his nonstop rant to please HIS Lordship in Malacanang, despite the BIR testifying in Congress that ABS-CBN was a compliant taxpayer, had paid all its taxes, and did not owe any for the covered periods.

Netizens flooded Marcoleta's Facebook with pleas —almost a supplication —to grant ABS-CBN its franchise (that was pandemic ... hello ... and a lockdown), and people depended only on ABS-CBN for news and entertainment.

But Marcoleta has a wooden heart, and that did not even touch his heart, nor did he show signs that he was moved and felt sorry for the people's dilemma. The people's request fell on deaf ears ... and there was not a single iota of compassion ... or sympathy (was seen coming his way) for the Filipino people's misery.

He was callous ... he showed no concern or sorrow for the people's suffering, even though the COVID atmosphere was stifling and the potential for suicide was great. What was important for them was that the President was happy, and he kept true to his vindictive promise.

Well, the tables were turned. He looks like he is getting now a dose of his own medicine. Kung nakita natin kung gaano ka-estrikto ang Lolo ninyo sa ABS-CBN kahit SAGIP representative siya ... wala man lang siyang SINAGIP sa mga tao ... when everybody was bored sa kanilang pagkakulong sa bahay at inip na inip na sila dahil wala man lang magawa ... pati ba naman ang paboritong estasyon ng bayan ipapasara na lang ... dahil utos ng mayor?

BIR na nagsasabi na walang tax problem ang media mogul ... kung anong utang ang kanyang pinagsasabi? 

Well Bilyonaryo News Channel is now asking questions na si Marcoleta lang ang makasagot tungkol sa kanyang SALN.

He declared a net worth of P51.9 million in his 2025 Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth.

Yet when he ran as senator this year, his official campaign report was another story, as he spent P112.8 million, all declared as his personal money, and take note ... he has not received a single contribution from anybody, whether cash or in kind.

So Bilyonaryo is now asking: How did Marcoleta spend P112M with a meshly 52M net worth?

Ayan ... ayaw mo noong mabudol ka ng ABS-CBN noon sa taxes at sa BIR... pakisagot lang ang Bilyonaryo kung may pambubudol din ang iyon SALN?

It just doesn't add up!

Definition

There is a new buzzword in the flood project scams of DPWH in the Philippines.

BID RIGGING in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the Philippines is a form of collusion among contractors to manipulate the outcome of a public bidding for a project. 

Instead of competing, contractors secretly conspire to fix prices, share contracts, or limit competition, resulting in higher costs for the government and taxpayers.

This practice undermines the goal of achieving the best value for public money, often leading to higher project costs, lower quality outcomes, and the misuse of taxpayer funds.

What is an example of bid rigging?

For example, if one member of the bidding ring is designated to win a particular contract, that bidder's conspirators could avoid winning by not bidding ("bid suppression") or by submitting a high bid ("cover bidding").

• Definition: Bid rigging occurs when competitors secretly agree to manipulate a bidding process rather than compete fairly.
• Impact: It undermines the purpose of public bidding, which is to get the best value for money.
• Consequences: This can lead to higher project costs, lower quality of goods and services, and the misuse of taxpayer money.
• Illegality: It is illegal under the Philippine Competition Act (Republic Act No. 10667) and carries severe penalties, including imprisonment and significant fines.
• How it happens: Competitors may agree on who will win the bid and that others will submit higher, non-competitive bids, or they might agree to submit "dummy bids".

Tattered Jeans Tale

Bago ako magkwento tungkol sa kung anong nangyari sa aking tattered and torn jeans i-define ko muna ito. So far ito ang kanyang mga synonyms.

Distressed Jeans -This is a common and more modern term for jeans that have been intentionally torn or worn to look worn-in. 

Tattered Jeans - These synonyms emphasize the state of being worn and damaged, with holes or rips. 

Frayed  Jeans - This term specifically describes jeans where the edges of the fabric are worn into loose threads, often around the hems or tears. 

Ragged Jeans - This is a classic adjective for clothing in poor condition, with rips and tears. 

Worn-out Jeans - This describes jeans that have been worn so much that they are no longer in good condition. 

Scruffy Jeans - These words describe clothing that is shabby or messy in appearance.

• Ito na ang kuwento. Dumating kasi ang pasalubong ko galing America ... bigay ng aking kapatid. Isang shabby and scruffy denim jeans. Sabi ko at my age susuot pa ako ng ganito?
• Inilagay ko muna sa sofa ... at mag-grocery muna.  Pagbalik ko ... laking gulat ko.  Nagawa na pala ang pantalon.
• Nakialam na naman ang Lola. Imagine ginawa niya ang kanyang huling obra maestra. Patching daw ang tawag niya.
• As she explained, it is a technique that involves using a separate piece of fabric to cover a hole or a tear. 
• The patch is put on the jeans to cover the damaged area and strengthen the fabric. 
• Gusto ko mang magalit sa kanyang pakialam -pero alam kong ginawa lang niya iyon dahil mahal niya ako. Ayaw niya sigurong makita ako na gula-gulanit na ang suot ko.
• At the back of her mind siguro iniisip niya na hirap na hirap na ako sa buhay at hindi man lang ako makabili ng bagong trousers.
• Down-hearted man ako - pinasalamatan ko na lang si Lola - at nang maka-moved on na.

Palabas Lang?

Isang earth-shaking na balita - Si Bong Go bumibili ng balot at mani?

What can one really earn with this political ploy? Nothing except pagtatawanan lang siya.Haven't we had enough self-respect left in our bodies? Si Mr. Malasakit ang the number 1 senator last election ... the butt of jokes?

I was reading the commenters' reactions, and it's almost 100 percent unsavory, tasteless, and offensive.

Other senators involved in flood control scams have been criticized for saying Kadiri (disgusting) to the corrupt government engineers when it looked like he should be saying this to himself complained one podcaster.  

Another senator had been badmouthed for his outright denials of his involvement, and his Senate antics and histrionics were pooh-poohed and were given the moniker - the Best Actor Award.

And now this?  Imagine being told, "Bumenta at kumita na yan."

Another one was singing with sarcasm, " Oh yes ... you're the great pretender."

"Talaga lang naman ... isang billionaire ... kumakain ng ganyan."

"Style mo bulok."

"Kailangan pa talaga may baong photographer?

"The biggest photo-op."

And one even give him a pep-talk: Hindi kami interesado  sa pagbili mo na mani at balot. Mas interesado kami na humarap ka sa imbestigasyon. 

Deserve ba?

Ghostly and Ghastly

It is All Souls' Day - can you blame us if we talk about GHOST STORIES ... not necessarily the paranormal or the supernatural kind ... but with the corruption being given a 24/7 coverage ... the kind of money wasted and the lives ruined and squandered gives unsuspecting Pinoys a reaction like they HAVE SEEN A GHOST?

With the insatiable thirst of our politicians and people working in the government for money and more dough ... their righteous indignation (that leads one prominent politician to say, "Kadiri kayo." You're disgusting! Pero hindi niya nakita ang sarili niya kasama na pala siya sa akusado) ... elected officials who can look at you in the eye, invoking religion and Supreme Power na siya ay kapitag-pitagan, walang kasing linis at hindi makabasag pinggan. Tapos akusahan ninyo lang na corrupt?

Marami sa kanila walang delicadeza. may  mga nag-planta ng whistle-blowers and false witnesses ,.. may mga nag-doctor ng kanilang mga SALN making them the poorest elected officials in town pero galante kung magbigay ng regalo ... may mga nagtatalak at regular ang mga commentaries about corruption ... pero sino ka ... sila ang poster model ng pagnanakaw ... may amnesia ba sila?

Hindi kaya ayaw magpaawat si Mother Nature na magpadala ng sunod-sunod na bagyo, ulan, baha, landslides, earthquakes at mga  nagaalburotong mga bulkan dahil hindi na siya makatiis at naabot na niya ang pisi ng kanyang pasensiya?

The last time we saw her, she was as PALE AS A GHOST sa sobrang galit. Her Sphymomanometric reading had reached an all-time high. Not even a powerful tandem of Hydrochlorothiazide and Amlopidine can appease her nanggagalaiting bllod pressure.

Kaya tuloy ang mga ecological disasters and natural disasters kahit nagmistulang GHOST TOWN na ang apektadong mga lugar at nagmistulang na itong dagat-dagatan at malapit na rin angkinin ng mga Tsekwa. 

Tuloy ang Divine Intervention ... kasi kahit nahuhuli na ang mga salarin patuloy pa rin ang kanilang denial at rebuttal.  Can you imagine nandito sila para magsilbi sa taong bayan ... teka nga pagsisilbi ba yong pinagnanakawan mo sila?

Other GHOST PHRASES and terms na nagiging viral lately:

1. GHOST  PROJECT: A form of corruption where the government project is declared finished and paid for, even though it is incomplete or non-existent.

2. GHOST OMBUDSMAN: Isang kaibigan defined it as an ombudsman na napakatahimik ang kanyang watch - walang anomalies, puno ng acquittal at walang conviction. Some others define them as a non-working government official.

3. GHOST EMPLOYEE/GHOST SOLDIER/GHOST STUDENT - Non-existent individuals who are on the official payroll ... often a part of a fraudulent scheme to siphon funds.

4. GHOST FROM THE PAST - Someone or skeletons in their closet that have just risen from the grave. It can be something dreadful or someone unwanted that is haunting the person in his sleep ... now they are exhumed to make their final return.

5. GHOST TOWN - A town or province wrecked by floods or typhoons. They have a substantial population, but with the advent of rains and floods, it is giving us the impression that the place will soon be deserted.

Halloween Costume Parties

Halloween Costume Parties

November 1, to some, is the best time to party and frolic, to see and be seen, donning the creepiest and spookiest costumes ever this side of the ghoulish and the ghastly Halloween parties in the Philippines.

What better way to flaunt the dreadful and the scary ... than by embracing the haunting and the most iconic characters from Filipino folklore and pop culture?

From the terrifying White Lady in a flowing white gown, accentuated with pale makeup ... to an unexpected character with a knife embedded in her head, blood dripping ... you will frighten everyone in sight. 

What are you waiting for? This is your rare chance to hug the limelight.

If you prefer to just watch and see the party unfold ... I am warning you.

Prepare yourself for a good scare and your first taste of the macabre.

Where Is Orly Guteza?

Nasaan Si Orly Guteza?

Orly Guteza, an Ex-Marine, came barging into the Senate Blue Ribbon plucked from nowhere ... or plucked from thin air ... is a better phrase?

His appearance was unexpected, and nobody had an inkling that there would be another addition in the long bevy of witnesses ... when the list was already cramped and packed.

But with Marcoleta (who has a flair for the dramatics and the theatrics) introduced... who could refuse? Ping Lacson, without any hesitation, gave him an enthusiastic reception (although in an interview, he admitted hindi daw sila naguusap.)

>>>>>>>>>>

I can feel it ... this must be something big and important.

With Marcoleta setting the tone, his forehead deeply furrowed and creased ... his eyes almost bulging from their sockets ... his demeanor looked like someone who wants to pick a fight, what can an ordinary citizen think but expect the unexpected?

I was right. He was there to rock the Senate boat ... disrupting the status quo, changing the tide, and reversing the trend of events. Ang galing talaga niya maghalo ng balat sa tinalupan!

>>>>>>>>>>

What could be the Mother of all bombshells ... turned out to be a fizzling dynamite. The script was not followed (dahil sa pagmamadali?) ... there were LOOPHOLES and POTHOLES in their stories. More QUESTIONS arise instead of ANSWERS.

And as the investigation progressed, there was a truckload of ambiguities and logical flaws. And these flaws pull the TV audience out of the story, making them question the narrative's credibility.

So much so that when Marcoleta starts feeding and leading Guteza the way (making everyone believe he knew the affidavit more than Guteza)... it distracts the audience's suspension of disbelief ... kung nasa loob kayo ng sinehan, you can't blame them if they walk out.

>>>>>>>>>>

My friends laughed at how Marcoleta experienced borburygmi with the way the investigations were shaping up.

From a very confident and cocky Marcoleta ... what we saw was a face even Michelangelo would not dare volunteer to paint. Here's a lawyer who is just so full of himself - now he is on shaky ground ... wobbly and unsure how he will get out of this mess.

Kulang lang siguro sa PRACTICE at REHEARSAL yan attorney. Wala man lang TRY OUT or kahit WALK THROUGH man lang? Moral of the story ... kung walang DRY RUN ... baka hindi pa nangangalahati ang laban nag-RUN DRY na ang kalabasan.

>>>>>>>>>

So what kung total fiasco ang kanilang unang palabas. Who cares ... basta nagsasabi ka lang ng TOTOO ... who can fault you for telling the truth ... aber?

On the other hand, what is this we hear that the sworn Guteza's affidavit was falsified? The plot thickens when news spreads like wildfire, saying ex-MARINE Orly Guteza is missing. Too soon? Ay nagbaba na ng puting bandila? Akala ko matapang siya. Fanning the embers of controversy are rumors detailing that the MARINES were giving him refuge.

My friend, a non-believer, was quick to say, "Tell it to the MARINES."

>>>>>>>>>

This prompted Ping Lacson to communicate with MGen Vince Blanco.

His reply: " Guteza is not and was never under their custody."

My friend was right: "Tell it to the MARINES," and in the jiffy ... the MARINES denied and dismissed the allegation and the insinuation as unbelievable or far-fetched.

>>>>>>>>>>>

So, where is Orly Guteza?

Gosh, with Undas approaching tomorrow, I have this eerie feeling ... it is giving me goose (or was it ghost) bumps? Or was it just me?

I hope he is okay... and that everything is well. I was expecting him to drop more bombs. Too bad the initial bombshell he launched was a dud ... it went phhhffft. No EXPLOSION ... just a WHIMPER. Isang PASABOG na naging UTOT lang.

>>>>>>>>>>>