PBBM, VP SARA RATINGS FALL

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Four years before the next presidential elections, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, who both made history as the first majority-elected candidates in a multiparty contest, have now suffered a drastic drop in their public approval and trust ratings.

This was revealed on Wednesday (3 April 2024) by the first quarter survey of Publicus Asia’s Pahayag 2024 which attributed the duo’s ratings plummeting to the public’s growing concerns regarding issues such as inflation, corruption and perceived weak leadership.

Marcos Jr. and VP Sara’s approval ratings dropped to their lowest levels since the third quarter of 2022 — from 58 percent for the fourth quarter of 2023 to 44 percent for the first quarter of 2024 for the President and from 59 percent to 53 percent for the vice president.

PBBM notably lost points even in his bailiwick of North-Central Luzon, where his approval rating dropped from 62 percent to 52 percent. In South Luzon, his approval rating dropped from 55 percent to 43 percent, and in the Visayas, from 57 percent to 40 percent.

On the other hand, VP Sara’s rating fall was most notable in South Luzon, from 51 percent to 40 percent; North-Central Luzon, from 56 percent to 47 percent; and the National Capital Region (NCR), from 52 percent to 47 percent.

The NCR recorded the highest disapproval for Duterte at 34 percent.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez’s approval rating also dived from 36 percent to 25 percent, the poll showed.

It can be noted that Mindanao recorded the highest disapproval rating at 39 percent, closely followed by the Visayas at 37 percent, where Romualdez represents Leyte’s first district.

Romualdez is widely believed to be the most likely “anointed one” by his cousin PBBM for the 2028 presidential race.

Some Visayan political leaders are backing Romualdez to be the country’s first Waray-Waray president.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Saying that the teacher — who went viral on social media for scolding her students — was only human that has a breaking point, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte has apparently emphathized with the mentor and said no penalty would be enforced on her.

Duterte said on Wednesday (20 March 2024) that she saw the teacher’s explanation and tasked the regional director to remind only the teacher to just slow down if she feels angry.

“Ang una ko naging reaction is tao lang iyong teacher. Lahat tayo umaabot sa punto na nagagalit tayo, lalo ‘pag nafu-frustrate tayo. This is especially true sa mga teachers dahil ang teachers natin hindi lang isa na tao ang kausap nila. Ang isang klase ay merong from 25 to 45, sometimes 55 students,” the VPES told reporters in Cambodia.

However, Duterte did not say what she will do to address the overcrowded classrooms.

“Nakita ko iyong explanation niya, and then sinabihan ko ang regional office natin na there will be no penalties for the teacher. Just to remind the teacher that if she is angry, she has to pause. Itigil muna iyong klase. And when she’s not angry anymore, saka siya magklase ulit. There’s a need to pause pag galit iyong teacher. Iyon lang ang sinabi ko na i-remind sa teacher,” she added.

Duterte said the teacher was apparently not aware that she was online during the recording of the video.

“Ang sabi niya, hindi niya alam na online siya… Hindi niya alam na naka-online siya,” the VPES further said.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Amid the mystery shrouding the presence of investigators from the International Criminal Court, former Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV has revealed that the investigation on the primary suspects are nearly complete and that the ICC is in the process of building a case against the alleged co-conspirators.

Political pundits told Maharlika NuMedia on Saturday that in case the ICC has wrapped up its investigation on the “crimes against humanity” filed primarily against former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, an arrest warrant can be issued anytime soon.

According to Vera Files, Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio and two incumbent senators were named in documents submitted to the ICC investigating the killings related to the drug war during the previous administration and when Duterte was mayor of Davao City.

“The vice president’s name was mentioned as knowing and approving the killings when she was city mayor, a post that her father held for more than 20 years. Sara was mayor from 2010 to 2013, and from 2016 to 2022,” Vera Files said in its July 17, 2023 report.

Trillanes argued that despite ex-president Duterte’s cancellation of ICC membership, ICC still has potential jurisdiction for incidents pre-dating the withdrawal.

He claimed that the ICC has gathered the statements of the witnesses as early as February 2023 and that they will be put on record as soon as the trial begins.

“Ang aking tantsa ay finishing touches na ‘yung kaso for some of the principals. Yung iba naman, yung mga nasa secondary level ay bini-build up na o patapos na,” Trillanes revealed.

It can be recalled that then President Duterte cancelled the Philippines’ membership with the ICC following an announcement that a preliminary examination on the thousands of deaths involving the bloody war on drugs was underway.

Human rights advocates claimed that the 30,000 individuals who were victims of extra-judicial killings (EJKs) in line with Duterte’s drug war  were not all drug addicts or drug pushers.

(el Amigo/MNM)

MANILA — Education officials are bracing for a discouraging performance by the Philippines in the upcoming release of Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) test scores conducted by the Organization for Educational Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The triennial test evaluates the scholastic performance of 15-year-old pupils in mathematics, science, and reading across both OECD member and non-member states.

This marks the Philippines’ second participation in the global assessment, following its debut in 2018.

The Department of Education (DepEd) underscores that the insights gained from participating in PISA, combined with its National Achievement Test, will inform policy decisions and drive necessary reforms.

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte has expressed pessimism about the PISA results, stating the need for a departure from repetitive educational approaches.

She emphasized the importance of addressing learning gaps and areas for improvement in basic education.

Despite the challenges posed by the shift to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, the DepEd has implemented measures to counteract years of learning losses.

Initiatives include the revitalized Matatag K to 10 curriculum, aimed at streamlining the existing curriculum and focusing on key competencies and foundational skills.

Additionally, “Catch-Up Fridays” have been introduced to provide students with dedicated time to review and engage in critical thinking activities, such as book writing, essay writing, and book reviews.

House Committee on Basic Education and Culture Committee Chairman Roman Romulo praised the Catch-Up Fridays concept and highlighted USAID’s ABC+ project, addressing low education outcomes in impoverished areas.

Romulo stressed the importance of legislative initiatives, such as amendments to the E-Gastpe Act, in improving the education system.

Looking ahead to the 2025 PISA assessment, he emphasized the need to focus on students’ foundational skills, aligning them with the new curriculum and enhancing reading comprehension.

(Amado Inigo/mnm)

By Junex Doronio

Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday said she will no longer pursue the P650 million total of confidential funds for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) in 2024 for the sake of unity and peace.

In reaction, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III praised the Vice President’s decision to give up her request for P650 million in confidential funds, which has divided the senators discussing the proposed 2024 national budget.

During plenary debates on the Office of the OVP’s proposed budget Thursday, the sponsor, Senator Sonny Angara, read Duterte’s statement that the OVP “will no longer pursue the confidential fund” because “it is seen to be divisive.”

VP Duterte conceded that the OVP can only propose a budget to Congress for the implementation of its programs and projects.

“Nevertheless, we will no longer pursue the confidential funds. Why? Because this issue is divisive, and as the Vice President, I swore an oath to keep the country peaceful and strong,” she stressed.

To recall, in October the House of Representatives have decided to realign the P650-million total of confidential funds of the OVP and the DepEd to agencies involved in safeguarding the country’s security and sovereignty in the face of Chinese incursions and harassments.

“It is essential to understand that this decision was made for the benefit of the nation and not as a personal affront to any individual, including VP Duterte,” said the congressmen from different political parties which support the leadership of Romualdez.

Notably, the beneficiaries of the House’s realignment of the confidential funds from OVP and the DepEd include the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (P300 million), National Security Council (P100 million) and Philippine Coast Guard (P200 million).

(ai/mnm)

By Junex Doronio

THE BATTLE LINES ARE DRAWN with nine senators fully backing Vice President Sara Duterte’s “right” to her P650-million confidential funds for 2024 even as the majority of the 316 members of the House of Representatives have expressed support to the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.

Vice President Duterte and Speaker Romualdez are believed to be the main protagonists in the 2028 presidential race, with Senator Risa Hontiveros as the probable “third force” standard bearer of a “center-moderate left coalition.”

At least nine senators reportedly want VP Duterte to have P650 million in confidential funds back despite the House of Representatives earlier decision to channel it to other government agencies.

The “pro-Sara” senators were identified as Sens. Robinhood Padilla, Christopher “Bong” Go, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Jinggoy Estrada, Lito Lapid, Francis Tolentino, and Cynthia Villar.

To recall, in October the House of Representatives decided to realign the P650-million total of confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) to agencies involved in safeguarding the country’s security and sovereignty in the face of Chinese incursions and harassments.

“It is essential to understand that this decision was made for the benefit of the nation and not as a personal affront to any individual, including VP Duterte,” said the congressmen from different political parties that support the leadership of Romualdez.

Notably, the beneficiaries of the House’s realignment of the confidential funds from the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education include the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (P300 million), the National Security Council (P100 million), and the Philippine Coast Guard (P200 million).

(ai/mnm)

By Junex Doronio

CONCERNED THAT CIVILIANS, SPECIALLY CHILDREN, are caught in the crossfire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas armed conflict, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte has urged Filipinos to call for a ceasefire and peaceful negotiations amid the escalating violence in the Middle East.

In a video message, Duterte on Thursday, October 19, expressed concern the conflict in the region has impacted civilians, including children.

“Ako ay nananawagan sa aking mga kapwa Pilipino na ipahayag ang isang tigil-putukan at dalhin ang usapin ng kapayapaan sa mesa,” Duterte said.

At the same time, she called for unity among the parties in the country in issuing a collective appeal for lasting peace in the region to end the suffering of civilians.

“Ating ipanawagan ang pagkakaisa ng mga partido upang maglabas ng kolektibong pananawagan para sa pangmatagalang kapayapaan at wakasan ang pagdurusa at kahirapan na nararanasan ng mga sibilyan lalo na ang pangangalaga sa kapakanan ng mga bata,” the VPES further said.

Israel’s latest assault on Gaza began after fighters from Hamas, the Palestinian armed resistance movement governing the occupied Strip, launched a surprise attack on October 7 just outside the besieged enclave on Israeli territory.

(ai/mnm)

Image Courtesy of: Inday Sara Duterte (Facebook)

By: Junex Doronio

APPARENTLY AFFECTED by the controversy generated by the P150-million confidential and intelligence fund (CIF) for the Department of Education (DepEd) where she also sits as concurrent head, Vice President Sara Duterte’s popularity as Education Secretary dipped from 66 percent in the second quarter to 60 percent in the third quarter.

This was revealed on Friday by
PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. which said the P150-million CIF for DepEd “is now at the forefront as the most pressing issue hurting her (VP Duterte} overall performance.”

Seemingly, the public being surveyed was not convinced by Duterte’s justification of her CIF that it’s for the DepEd’s anti-insurgency efforts.

“Education is intertwined with national security. It’s important for us to mold children who are patriotic, who will love our country and defend our country,” Duterte said.

The Vice President — eldest daughter of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte noticeably uses her father’s surname instead of her marital name Carpio — is also the co-vice chairman of the government’s anti-communist insurgency task force, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

The elder Duterte once vowed to wipe out the communist insurgency within his six-year-term but failed just like his anti-drug campaign.

PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. claimed that the noncommissioned survey was conducted from September 7 to September 12. Its respondents were randomly drawn from the market research panel of over 200,000 Filipinos maintained by the Singapore office of PureSpectrum, a US-based panel marketplace.

It added that the respondents were spread across five geographical areas — National Capital Region, North Central Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

This latest development was reminiscent of former Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay whose popularity declined due to graft charges and eventually lost when he ran for president in 2016.

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Vice President and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sara Z. Duterte and Senator Francis ‘TOL’ N. Tolentino will grace the Mindanao regional games of the ongoing 2023 Philippine ROTC Games (PRG).

Tolentino, who is the honorary chairman of PRG, said the Vice President will be the event’s guest of honor and speaker during the opening of the tournament’s Mindanao leg, which will kick off from August 27 until September 2.

Tolentino stressed that the presence of the Vice President in the PRG is a big boost in raising awareness for the said tournament, considering that she’s the incumbent Education secretary and an active colonel in the military reserve force herself.

The upcoming Mindanao leg of the PRG comes a week after the successful hosting of the inaugural regional tournament in Iloilo City, which featured cadet athletes from various provinces in the Visayas in different sports such as track and field, basketball, kickboxing, boxing, arnis, and volleyball.

The senator added that the lessons learned in the tournament in Iloilo City will serve as a guide and benchmark for the organizers in the upcoming tournaments.

The Mindanao regional games will be followed by the Luzon leg, which will be held in Tagaytay City from September 17 until 23.

The cities of Manila and Pasig will host the National Capital Region leg from October 8 to 14 as well as the National Championships from October 22 to 27.

The PRG spearheaded by Tolentino aims to promote the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) by specifically encouraging the development of grassroots sports programs; training young athletes for international competitions; promoting physical education; and fostering self-discipline, teamwork and excellence.

It involves the ROTC units of the main service branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)–the Army, the Air Force, and the Navy. (ai/mnm)

Photo from BusinessWorld Online

WHILE FORMER VICE PRESIDENT Leni Robredo and concurrent Vice President Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio, both believed to be keeping a moist eye on the 2028 presidential elections, are mysteriously silent on the bullying by China, the House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez supports the allocation of a higher defense fund in the proposed 2024 national budget after the “water cannon incident” over the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Romualdez said the congressmen see the need for an increase in the defense spending, which has gone up by over 21 percent — from P203.4 billion in the 2023 national budget into P282.7 billion in the 2024 National Expenditures Program (NEP).

For me, the House of Representatives — despite having the proverbial black sheeps like the expelled solon who was suspected to be a mastermind of a dastardly act — should still be commended in supporting the budget hike for our country’s defense.

Earlier reports said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is again planning to establish a maritime militia in the WPS, a move that had been proposed three years ago by the Philippine Navy (PN) and apparently ignored by former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

We should also be thankful to our democratic allies like Japan, Australia and the United States who were among the countries that recognized the 2016 arbitration ruling on a 2013 case filed by the Philippines. The ruling invalidated China’s nine-dash line claim over the entire South China Sea.

Last Tuesday, August 22, Philippines and Australia kicked off their joint military exercises in Palawan.

It is also expected that the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force would send its “largest destroyer” called the Izumo while the Royal Australian Navy and the US Navy would also deploy their amphibious assault ships Canberra and America, respectively.

Meanwhile, Senator Risa Hontiveros has praised Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela for posting on X (formerly Twitter) that Filipinos who defend or make excuses for China’s aggressive behavior should be considered “unpatriotic traitors.”

“I couldn’t agree more with Commodore Tarriela. Traydor ang sinumang kumakampi sa Tsina sa panahong binabastos at inaalipusta niya ang soberanya at dignidad ng Pilipinas,” Hontiveros said.

She couldn’t help but noticed that there were “deluge of mis- and disinformation circling around social media” as soon as the PCG bares China’s “unlawful activities” to the world.

These are truly trying times and united we must stand.