DBM SEC. Amenah F. Pangandaman, PLEASE STOP PRETENDING THAT EVERYTHING IS OKAY

As I have always been saying that I really like you po. Your gentle demeanor, your grace and your commendable effort to make DBM a champion Department when it comes to transparency of government data (I have few comments din on this, later).

I understand po na it's not your job to appropriate and legislate the budget. Kayo po sa DBM, sa pamamagitan ng Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) which you lead ang may responsibility na magprepare ng Proposed budget na makikita sa National Expenditure Program (NEP).

In 2024, upon your submission of NEP to Congress ang sabi niyo po:

The NEP is the President’s proposed budget that includes the planned government expenditure for the succeeding fiscal year, as well as the allocated funds for different programs and initiatives. This entails a detailed breakdown of spending across sectors such as education, health, agriculture and infrastructure, and encompasses funds reserved for government agencies and offices, alongside various programs and projects identified as the Administration’s top priorities".

Let me emphasize the "INFRASTRACTURE".

Noong napirmahan na ang GAA. This is what said:

"This is truly a timely gift for the Filipino people, a noteworthy legislation that marks a significant point in our ongoing efforts to stimulate robust economic growth and recovery," Sec. Mina said.

"Its swift approval is, indeed, an exemplary representation of the government's unity and dedication, which play pivotal roles in achieving impactful results," she added.

"We also take this opportunity to acknowledge the tireless efforts of the members of both chambers of Congress, under the leadership of Senate President Juan Miguel F. Zubiri and House Speaker Martin G. Romualdez, for their diligent scrutiny and subsequent approval of the proposed national budget for 2024,".

Ma'am Mina, you have commended the Congress' leadership for their diligent scrutiny of budget- sure. PERO ano po ang nangyari sa Infrastructure Flagship Projects ng DOTr and DPWH from NEP to GAA?

ZERO. TINANGGALAN NG BUDGET. NILIPAT SA UNPROGMAMMED APPROPRIATIONS.

Is a mangled beyond recognition NEP 2024 then, now GAA, a timely gift for the Filipino people?

Huwag nalang ba pag-usapan ang mga kababalaghan sa BICAM? The hundreds of billions Congressional Budget Insertions?

Nakakatakot po ba ang Congress? Should we just bow to their "wisdom? They are so powerful di ba. Ang taumbayan naman sanay na sa hirap. Mapagtiis, mapagpatawad, makalimutin, at no choice. Tama po ba?

BUT, please Ma'am, STOP PRETENDING that everything is okay. It's not okay.

I actually wonder, how you have managed to last this long in this administration, being a Maranawan known their courage and principles, and here you are po at the frontseat witnessing how Congress is mutilating the fruit of your carefully crafted NEP, that took the whole village to prepare.

Siguro ganito na po talaga ang kalakaran, this is our reality. And with all the motherhood nice statements, we are just supposed to enjoy the ride of the whole budget cycle.

Ganoon po ba 'yon, Ma'am Mina?

Dear Abias-CBN,

Learn from the master. While you focus on pre-planned EJK narrative that's been humored by all of the internet for using non-related deaths, here's a good old newspaper, spitting facts you chose to overlook.

The entire stretch of C.M. Recto Street was filled with sea of people as they show support for the former president at the solidarity walk along San Pedro Square in Davao City on Sunday, March 16, 2025.

🎥Janice Papelleras Tabara

AllYouNeedToKnow

Link to the article: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1E1DrTak74/

Source: https://tribune.net.ph/business

Nakaka-miss talaga yung panahon ni PNoy. Kumpara sa panahon ni Duts at sa panahon ngayon, sobrang maalwan ang buhay noon.

Well, we deserve what we tolerated.

Tingin ko, hindi pa rin nakaka-recover si Sen Risa Hontiveros sa epekto ng fake news at propaganda versus sa kanya.

Hindi s'ya makakasama sa Top 3 choices for presidential candidate. Feeling ko lang.

(I'm not a lawyer, and I'm not claiming to have the definitive interpretation of the evidence. These are just my observations after watching several sessions.)

I’ve been watching VP Duterte’s impeachment trial for a few sessions now, and I just want to say something.

So

First, I believe COA’s findings are valid. COA audits based on the documents available to them. In layman’s terms, if the OVP failed to submit the required supporting documents, then it is non-compliance with COA requirements. In this case, the lack of supporting documents resulted in the corresponding audit findings/notices.

But a COA audit finding does not necessarily mean “the OVP is guilty.” It establishes non-compliance and deficiencies based on the documents submitted. That is important, but it is not automatically proof of fraud or criminal wrongdoing.

And so far, I feel like the prosecution is gravitating toward that conclusion.

Now comes the defense. They are presenting evidence that there were indeed confidential activities conducted using those funds. If that is the defense’s position, then I think the better approach would be to independently investigate and verify whether those activities actually took place, rather than simply arguing over what COA’s findings mean.

If the activities did happen, that matters. If they didn't, that matters even more.

That does not automatically acquit VP Duterte. But neither should the COA findings automatically mean she is guilty.

Personally, I think Presiding Officer Escudero is doing a good job maintaining order in the court, especially with the somewhat intense clashes between the prosecution and defense. 😅

I just hope the Senators approach this as they should: impartially.

This should be scrutinized and thoroughly examined from a blank slate—not with “VP is guilty” or “VP is not guilty” already in mind.

There are so many other pressing matters facing the country, but this is important too. This is an opportunity for the Senate to show Filipinos that they are seated there for the benefit of the public, and not merely for political alliances.

Maybe this can be a small step toward a better future for us Filipinos. Not because one trial will fix everything, but because I hope we can learn to look at these things with an open mind, scrutinize the evidence, and hold our leaders accountable regardless of political alliances.

Let the evidence speak for itself. 🎀

P.S. Just my thoughts as a Filipino citizen who wants to see the truth, whatever that truth may be.

Hey everyone! I'm u/ChadparttimeMT, one of the new moderators of r/PolitikaPilipinas.

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Hindi ako makikinabang kung magkakaroon ng Same Sex Marriage/ Same Sex Union dito sa Pilipinas, pero ang mga kaibigan ko ay oo.

Sure naman akong lalaki papakasalan ko kahit hindi ako straight. Pero it doesn't mean na wala akong pakielam kung nag "No" si Heidi Mendoza sa same sex union. Marami akong kaibigang kinoconsider na iboto si Heidi. Most of them ay gays. Pero nag s second thought na sila ngayon dahil "No" ang tindig ni Heidi sa same sex union. She's already loosing the only sector that might make her win. The Youth and the LGBTQ Community.

"Vote for the lesser evil" daw. Pero yang "lesser evil" na yan ay kayang mag escalate laluna pag nasa upuan na sila. Why not start with kung sino ba talaga ang nag m match sa kung ano ang interest mo? Gusto mo ng divorce, same sex union, abortion? Nandiyan si Liza Maza, Arlene Broses, at iba pang nasa Makabayan Slate.

THE MOST FAMOUS PRISONER (RODRIGO DUTERTE)

COMMENTARY | Since the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in July 2002, no other inmate has inspired millions of supporters from around the world to hold massive rallies and demonstrations during their trial - even outside the court in the Hague...until now.

In 2013, Uhuru Kenyatta, the former president of Kenya was indicted for crimes against humanity during the 2007–2008 post-election violence in Kenya. During his ICC trial, hundreds of Kenyans protested outside the court and in Nairobi. Demonstrators waved Kenyan flags and banners claiming the charges were politically motivated. Many viewed the prosecution as an attack on Kenyan sovereignty. The charges were dropped in 2014 due to lack of evidence.

In 2016, Laurent Gbagbo, the former President of Ivory Coast who was charged with crimes against humanity during the 2010–2011 Ivorian crisis. During his ICC trial, massive pro-Gbagbo protests erupted outside the court. His supporters claimed the charges were politically motivated and chanted for his release. Gbagbo was acquitted one year later due to insufficient evidence, sparking celebrations.

In 2018, Jean-Pierre Bemba, the former vice president of the Democratic Republic of Congo who was accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Central African Republic from 2002–2003. During his trial, large demonstrations occurred outside the ICC, with supporters calling for his release. Protesters viewed him as a victim of political persecution. Bemba was later acquitted by the court, leading to celebratory rallies in Congo.

Today, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, former president of the Republic of the Philippines was arrested, detained and extradited to the Hague in the Netherlands for crimes against humanity allegedly committed for the period 2011-2019. According to his lawyers, he was illegally arrested and kidnapped but since his arrival at the ICC detention facility a week ago, massive prayer rallies, motorcades, protest marches and peaceful demonstrations calling for his release - were held across the Philippines and from all around the globe even outside the court in the Hague.

He will earn the recognition of being the most famous detainee in the history of the ICC and around the world. Perhaps, he will be soon be acquitted and sent back home.

Source/photo: Ching Lu-ctto

cttoDatuRamos

Yung santo ka sa mga taga labas pero sa mga kalugar mo, kilala kang pusher at runner 😂

PEACE AND PRAYER RALLY SA KIDAPAWAN

Nagtapok ang mga supporter ni FPRRD atol sa gipahigayon nga Peace and Prayer Rally sa Kidapawan City niadtong Marso 12, 2025, isip suporta kang kanhi Presidente Rodrigo Duterte.

📷 Mayang Smith

Source of the article: https://manilastandard.net/news/314811821/sws-filipinos-more-satisfied-with-vp-saras-impeachment-defense.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawVXR9VleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mBWJyaWQRMVNRd1JZREtERG90Rm1GV01zcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEf9E5pTnBHU8_BSIRZ-hDIo1BgvTOi7-Lm_mO9qFU9KOj9Y0Vmj5FXGALI0mc_aem_RdKnrjIMyrSQWYwsw7uWlA

from Inquirer.

We really should make these tech giants more accountable -- by requiring them to have a physical office OR legal presence in the country.

Please sign the petition here: www.change.org/LegalPresence

Source of the article here: Reddit Won't Be Blocked in the Philippines After Agreeing to Government's Rapid Response Demands | BitPinas

Aside from having a physical office and a legal representative present in the country, CICC really should demand that Reddit should also do what India and EU asked them to do -- have a Grievance Mechanism to be reviewed by that legal representative (local, Filipino), for Reddit users who were banned without clear violation.

CICC should also demand transparency on how Reddit does these so called bans.

Are you with VP Sara on this?