5th SONA of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (SONA 2020)

Watch the full video of the 2020 State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte HERE:

Key Points of President Duterte's 2020 SONA:

COVID 19 PANDEMIC

-provided billions of pesos for social amelioration program to help affected families and workers

- have asked President Xi Jinping to let the Philippines one of its priorities once the covid 19 vaccine becomes available

SLAMS SENATOR DRILON FOR DEFENDING ABS-CBN

- accused Senator Drilon for protecting the Lopezes

ILLEGAL DRUGS

- drug dealers have intensified their activities during the pandemic and the government is doing its best to curtail these illegal activities 

INDEPENDENT FOREIGN POLICY

- will continue to pursue his independent foreign policy. He prefer diplomatic approach in dealing with China over South China Sea claims.

EDUCATION

- no face-to-face classes if there is no vaccine

COVID Deaths of High-Profile BUCOR Inmates Suspicious

Government's key witness against Sen. Leila de Lima died of COVID19 

A recent report that there were several high-profile BUCOR inmates have died due to COVID-19 is highly suspicious. One of them is Jayvee Sebastian, who is a key witness against Senator Leila de Lima. Sebastian was cremated last Saturday at the Panteon de Dasmarinas Public Cemetery in Dasmarinas, Cavite. The death certificate showed that he died of acute myocardial infarction or heart attack related to COVID-19.

Several High-profile Chinese Inmates COVID19 Deaths

Several high-profile Chinese inmates were also among those who allegedly died of COVID-19 while inside the penitentiary. Chinese inmates Zhang Zhu Li, Jimmy Kinsing Hung, Francis Go, Jimmy Yang, Eugene Chua, and Ryan Ong were all cremated due to coronavirus infection. These people have been arrested for drug-related offenses.


The leader of Chinese inmates, Benjamin Marcelo and Amin Imam Buratong are also among the fatalities. Buratong is the operator of the shabu tiangge in Pasig City in 2009.

COVID Deaths at NBP Under Investigation 

The deaths of these inmates have raised questions about the real cause of their deaths. According to reports, an investigation is now being conducted to get the real story about this COVID-19 DEATHS. The police investigator, who declined to be named, was alarmed about how BUCOR handled the inmates' deaths. One issue is possible body-switching since they were immediately cremated. Cadavers of COVID patients must be cremated within 24 hours based on current health protocols.


The BUCOR'S silence on these COVID19 deaths has raised more questions. The inmates were convicted for drug related crimes so they have the money and connections. Some netizens said that fake-deaths could be possible. Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Menardo Gueverra had ordered BuCor chief Gerald Bantag to explain the alleged deaths of high-profile prisoners at NBP.

70 Congressmen Who Voted No to ABS-CBN Franchise

ABS-CBN Franchise Renewal Rejected by 70 Congressmen

After 13 hearings, congress has decided to reject ABS-CBN's franchise renewal application. While many expect the unfavorable decision, the number of congressmen who voted against is quite a big number. Out of the 85 member of the legislative franchise committee, 70 members rejected the application and only 11 members favored the media's franchise renewal.

In its report, the committee's TWG enumerated several violations of ABS-CBN. Among them were the network's alleged failure to pay correct taxes, non-regularization of employees, issuance of PDR's, AMCARA issue, unauthorized digital services which include TV PLUS Box, and citizenship of Lopez. The findings were contained in the 40 page report by the TWG, which is available online.

Do you want to know the names of congressmen who voted against and in favor of ABS-CBN franchise renewal? Please check the list below:


70 Congressmen who voted NO to the ABS-CBN franchise renewal:

1. Rep Abraham Tolentino
2. Rep. Antonio Albano
3. Rep. Faustino Michael Dy
4. Repm Cyrille Abueg-Zaldivar
5. Rep. Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado
6. Rep. Faustino Dy V
7. Rep. Dale Malapitan
8. Rep. Eric Martinez
9. Rep. Divina Grace Yu
10. Rep. Julienne Baronda
11. Rep. Anthony Peter Crisologo
12. Rep. Luis Ferrer IV
13. Rep. John Marvin Nieto
14. Rep. Strike Revilla
15. Rep. Samantha Louise Alfonso
16. Rep. Rolando Valeriano
17. Rep Joaquin Chipeco Jr.
18. Rep. Eduardo Gullas
19. Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona
20. Rep Frederick Siao
21. Rep. Ian Paul Dy
22. Rep. Gil Acosta
23. Rep. Weslie Gatchalian
24. Rep. Prescious H. Castelo
25. Rep. Alyssa Sheena Tan
26. Rep. Christian Unabia
27. Rep. Raymond Mendoza
28. Rep. Jericho Nograles
29. Rep. Yedda Romualdez
30. Rep. Eric Yap
31. Rep. Claudine Bautista
32. Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu
33. Rep. Enrico Pineda
34. Rep. Dulce Ann Hofer
35. Rep. Sharon Garin
36. Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr.
37. Rep. Janette Garin
38. Rep. Paulo Duterte
39. Rep. J.F. Nograles (F. Hernandez)
40. Rep. Conrado III Estrella
41. Rep. Sandro Gonzales (Rep. P. Pichay)
42. Rep. Mike Defensor (Rep. R. Puno)
43. Rep. Allan Ty (Rep. A. Gonzales)
44. Rep. F. Matugas (Rep. J. Pimentel)
45. Rep. Luis Villafuerte Jr.
46. Rep. Raneo Abu
47. Rep. Dan Fernandez
48. Rep. Rodante Marcoleta
49. Rep. Henry Oaminal
50. Rep. Pablo John Garcia
51. Rep. Deogracuas ‘DV’ Savellano
52. Rep. F. Datol (Rep. M. Romero)
53. Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez
54. Rep. Jesus Crispin Remulla
55. Rep. Juan Miguel Macapagal Arroyo
56. Rep. Cristal Bagatsin
57. Rep. Juan Pablo Bondoc
58. Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr.
59. Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy
60. Rep. Xavier Jesus Romualdo
61. Rep. A. Calixto (Rep. J. Lacson-Niel)
62. Rep. Wilter Palma II
63. Rep. Ma. Theresa Collante
64. Rep. Ria Christina Fariñas
65. Rep. Camille Villar
66. Rep. Roger G. Mercado
67. Rep. Sharee Ann Tan
68. Rep. Joseph Stephen Padyano
69. Rep. Bayani Fernando
70. Rep. Jose Singson Jr.

11 Lawmakers who voted YES to the ABS-CBN franchise renewal:

1. Bienvenido Abante Jr, Manila 6th District
2. Carlos Isagani Zarate, Bayan Muna party-list
3. Christopher De Venecia, Pangasinan 4th District
4. Edward Vera Perez Maceda, Manila 4th District
5. Gabriel Bordado Jr, Camarines Sur 3rd District
6. Jose “Ping-Ping” Tejada, North Cotabato 3rd District
7. Lianda Bolilia, Batangas 4th District
8. Mujiv Hataman, Basilan
9. Sol Aragones, Laguna 3rd District
10. Stella Luz Quimbo, Marikina 2nd District
11. Vilma Santos-Recto, Batangas 6th District


ABSTAINED
1. Rep. Alfredo Vargas
2. Rep. Micaela Vialogo

INHIBITED
1. Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr.

IATF Approves Motorcycle Backride, But What?

Starting July 10, backride in motorcycles will now be allowed in GCQ (General Community Quarantine) and MGCQ (Modified General Community Quarantine) areas. The IATF has yet to issue a comprehensive guideline about the new policy but already reiterated that it will only allow husband, wife, or living-in partner as backride. Other members of the family are not yet allowed even if they reside in the same home. According to Spokesperson Harry Roque, couples should present a copy of their marriage certificate or ID's for living-in partners.

While this is a positive development, netizens were dismayed about the other conditions set by the IATF. According to DILG Sec Ano, motorcycle owners should install a protective barrier that will serve as an effective protection against COVID-19 transmission. The design which was proposed by Governor Yap of Bohol was adopted by the IATF as the standard model or design. The specifications were already posted online so those interested can now have it custom-made for their specific motorcycle units.

If you are a motorcycle owner, would you install this protective barrier on your unit? Is it safe? Is aerodynamics considered in the prototype design? Is this an effective method of protection against COVID-19? Remember, they only allowed married couples or living-in partners. Do we really need more bright people in the government?