Center of pedophile cybersex

The Philippines’ pedophile sex rings were featured on CNN. The cybersex rings operate in Metro Manila, Pampanga, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro. The Philippine National Police (PNP) said there are 31 cybersex groups operating in the country. It took British police to bust the cybersex rings in the Philippines. Add another title to our list of notorieties: Philippines is the center of pedophile sex rings.

How can 31 cybersex rings operate without being discovered by the police or barangay officials? Obviously, protection money is changing hands. Mayors should investigate and ask their chiefs of police to explain.

Continuing calamity

The low pressure area which has become typhoon Agaton, has been stationary in Mindanao, bringing floods and landslide for 10 days in 11 provinces, with a death toll now at 41; 161,000 people are again in evacuation centers. Looks like the deadly calamities of 2013 are continuing into 2014.

A state of calamity has been declared in Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao Del Norte, Davao Del Sur, Davao City, Surigao Del Norte, Surigao Del Sur, Dinagat, Lanao Del Norte, Camiguin, Agusan Del Sur, Agusan Del Norte, including Butuan City.

Areas hit by typhoon Pablo have been hit again, with 40,000 in evacuation centers. 10,000 are in evacuation centers in Butuan City.

Let us hope that our National Day of Prayer will bring some relief to the devasted areas.

Why so slow?

DILG Secretary Mar Roxas announced in Tacloban that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is going to release P4 billion to municipalities, areas hit by typhoon Yolanda, to enable local governments to reconstruct municipal buildings, public markets, and civic centers.

Why only now? Why only P4 billion? The amount originally announced was P40 billion for infrastructure. In fact, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) prepared a reconstruction program, to cost P391 billion.

The 2014 budget includes calamity funds, totalling over a P100 billion. Is there no money in the Treasury? The calamity fund alone has been increased to P13 billion from P7.5 billion.

Only 135 bunkhouses have been built so far. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has noted the slow release of funds for the shelter program. Cash for work programs only lasted 15 days.

PNP reported that 1,140 policemen lost their homes. There is no organized program yet to help fishermen and coconut farmers. Private donors have given a few boats to fishermen in Palo and Dulag.

Meanwhile, heavy rains from the low pressure have also hit Leyte and Samar, causing more flooding to typhoon “Yolanda” victims, now living in tents.

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Duterte hits De Lima

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte criticized Justice Secretary Leila De Lima for failing to build a case against Davidson Bangayan alias “David Tan’. 

“What has the DOJ done so far to protect the interest of the national government?” Duterte declared. He described De Lima as an election lawyer who had no experience in prosecution. He advised De Lima to stop talking and start working.

More witnesses have come forward to confirm that Davidson Bangayan is the same person as “David Tan.”

It is good that BIR Commissioner Kim Henares has started to look into Bangayan’s tax records. Estimate of Bangayan’s income from smuggling reaches as high as P2 billion. “David Tan” is engaged not only in rice trading, but also export of metals and Philippine coins.

Big crowds

In response to calamities, big crowds attended the Ati-Atihan in Kalibo, Sinulog in Cebu, and Sto Niño Fiesta in Tondo and Pandacan. The Filipinos have again turned to their faith in God, to allow them to survive and recover from calamities.

This weekend will have the Dinagyang festival in Iloilo City. The devotees filled the churches to over capacity. Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle and Mayor Joseph Estrada led the faith groups at Sto. Niño parish in Tondo.

10,000 street lights

Mayor Joseph Estrada announced the donations of 10,000 solar LED street lights by a Korean company, Global Gold Goal Inc., headed by president Moon Pill Jong. He stressed that there will be no cost to the City Government.

Meanwhile, Mayor Erap has started to pay the allowances of Manila policemen. Manila receives P8 million a month from the Philippine Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR).

Controversial bills

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. announced that the Anti-Dynasty Bill has been submitted for plenary debate by the House committee on suffrage, but there will be extensive debates on the extent of coverage. The committee recommended coverage to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity.

The Freedom of Information (FOI) bill is still pending in both houses. It remains to be seen whether the House leadership will push the approval of the bill.

Success in China

China has been able to get millions out of extreme poverty. The secret is focus. It appears that P-Noy has lost his focus on anti-poverty programs. The calamities have increased the number of poor people. World Bank targets end of poverty by 2030. Definitely no significant success in the anti-poverty program will be achieved by 2016.

High food prices, high electricity and water rates, high gasoline, diesel and LPG, also high price of medicines have further eaten up the small income of Filipinos.

Tidbits. Pulse Asia reports that 43% of respondents said their situation was worse in 2013 than 2012. Only 15% said that life was better for them.

Jonathan Rivera and Elmer Bastida were shot dead in an ambush in Candelaria, Quezon.

Councilor Bienvenido Verzola III was shot dead in Luna, Apayao.

Sixty-five people have died in the evacuation centers in Zamboanga City.