No Joke: Matobato Campares Himself To John Wick before International Media
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has said he personally killed suspected criminals to set an example for police.
Duterte made the comments in a speech late on Monday night to businessmen as he discussed his campaign to eradicate illegal drugs, which has seen police and unknown assailants kill thousands of people since he became president on June 30.
'I used to do it personally,' he said, 'Just to show to the guys (police) that if I can do it why can't you,' Duterte said in his speech at the presidential palace.
'And I'd go around in Davao with a motorcycle, with a big bike around, and I would just patrol the streets, looking for trouble also. I was really looking for a confrontation so I could kill.'
After speaking about police killing suspects during the current crime war, Duterte said he led similar efforts when he was mayor of Davao, the major southern city that he ruled for most of the previous 20 years.
Duterte, 71, also responded to criticism from human rights groups and US President Barack Obama about his anti-crime tactics, vowing he would not be intimidated by their criticism into stopping
'Si Calida, kailan?' Trillanes asks after Duterte axes PhilHealth chief
Si (Solicitor General Jose) Calida kailan?"
This was the question raised by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV when sought for comment on President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to replace Celestina Ma. Jude Dela Serna as interim chief of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
The senator said the President was quick to remove officials not close to him.
"Kapag hindi dikit sa kanya, tanggal agad. Si Calida na mas malaki ang halaga ng corruption, ayaw niya tanggalin kasi maraming alam na sikreto,” he said in a text message to GMA News Online.
Senator Francis Pangilinan earlier called for the resignation of the Solicitor General insisting that there is conflict of interest when Calida-family owned Vigilant Investigative and Security Agency Inc. (VISAI) secured contracts worth over P150 million with the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), Department of Justice (DOJ), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) between 2015 and 2018.
Senator Risa Hontiveros has also challenged the President to fire the government's top lawyer and file appropriate cases against him.
Calida said he would not quit his post as he can handle the accusations thrown at him.
President Duterte has repeatedly defended Calida.
"'Yung kay Calida naman bakit ko siya i-fire, out na long before he became a SolGen, 'yun ang negosyo niya, 'yun ang negosyo ng tatay niya. Actually inherited ni Calida ‘yan," he said in his speech before the Filipino community in South Korea.
"Basta may bidding lahat, anything in government basta may bidding ka, walang problema, okay 'yan. Kung siya ang nanalo, eh di siya... sabihin, putulin mo hanapbuhay ng tao, why? Are you sure you will be there for all times?" Duterte added.
Meanwhile, Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito said he has been requesting that the President appoint a financial expert with actuarial knowledge to the PhilHealth post.
“PhilHealth means management of funds. With PhilHealth's current situation, and not to undermine capabilities of doctors, we really need a financial wiz to fix all its troubles,” he said in a message to reporters.
“I am very much concerned with PhilHealth's financial standing at the moment. Really disturbing,” he added.
Ejercito expressed hope that the Office of the President and Office of Executive Secretary would continue search for a permanent PhilHealth President and CEO with financial and actuarial expertise.
He added charges should be filed not only against Dela Serna, but against past officials like former Health Secretary Janet Garin and former PhilHealth president Alexander Padilla who were allegedly responsible for mismanaging the funds resulting in its current financial state.
Duterte removed Dela Serna amid a Palace investigation into her alleged excessive travels. Earlier, the Commission on Audit released its report finding that Dela Serna spent P627,293.04 to cover her travel expenses to and from her home province of Bohol to Manila.
Appointed to replace her is Dr. Roy Ferrer, who has served as PhilHealth board member. —JST, GMA News
This was the question raised by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV when sought for comment on President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to replace Celestina Ma. Jude Dela Serna as interim chief of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
The senator said the President was quick to remove officials not close to him.
"Kapag hindi dikit sa kanya, tanggal agad. Si Calida na mas malaki ang halaga ng corruption, ayaw niya tanggalin kasi maraming alam na sikreto,” he said in a text message to GMA News Online.
Senator Francis Pangilinan earlier called for the resignation of the Solicitor General insisting that there is conflict of interest when Calida-family owned Vigilant Investigative and Security Agency Inc. (VISAI) secured contracts worth over P150 million with the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), Department of Justice (DOJ), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) between 2015 and 2018.
Senator Risa Hontiveros has also challenged the President to fire the government's top lawyer and file appropriate cases against him.
Calida said he would not quit his post as he can handle the accusations thrown at him.
President Duterte has repeatedly defended Calida.
"'Yung kay Calida naman bakit ko siya i-fire, out na long before he became a SolGen, 'yun ang negosyo niya, 'yun ang negosyo ng tatay niya. Actually inherited ni Calida ‘yan," he said in his speech before the Filipino community in South Korea.
"Basta may bidding lahat, anything in government basta may bidding ka, walang problema, okay 'yan. Kung siya ang nanalo, eh di siya... sabihin, putulin mo hanapbuhay ng tao, why? Are you sure you will be there for all times?" Duterte added.
Meanwhile, Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito said he has been requesting that the President appoint a financial expert with actuarial knowledge to the PhilHealth post.
“PhilHealth means management of funds. With PhilHealth's current situation, and not to undermine capabilities of doctors, we really need a financial wiz to fix all its troubles,” he said in a message to reporters.
“I am very much concerned with PhilHealth's financial standing at the moment. Really disturbing,” he added.
Ejercito expressed hope that the Office of the President and Office of Executive Secretary would continue search for a permanent PhilHealth President and CEO with financial and actuarial expertise.
He added charges should be filed not only against Dela Serna, but against past officials like former Health Secretary Janet Garin and former PhilHealth president Alexander Padilla who were allegedly responsible for mismanaging the funds resulting in its current financial state.
Duterte removed Dela Serna amid a Palace investigation into her alleged excessive travels. Earlier, the Commission on Audit released its report finding that Dela Serna spent P627,293.04 to cover her travel expenses to and from her home province of Bohol to Manila.
Appointed to replace her is Dr. Roy Ferrer, who has served as PhilHealth board member. —JST, GMA News
300 Left Kadamay to Form New Rally-for-Hire Group
Fed up of being used and manipulated, around 300 Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap or Kadamay members have called it quits, bringing into the open alleged corrupt practices of the pro-urban poor organization.
In a fit of anger, the former members, who occupy a government housing project in Pandi, Bulacan, threw their Kadamay identification cards to the ground, stomping them while chanting President Duterte’s name.
“Nagkakaisa po kami rito dahil sa mga panloloko ng mga Kadamay na yan,” said Bueno Cayman, one of the leaders of the group that broke away from Kadamay.
The splinter group said they have had enough of being forced to join protest actions which were mostly aimed at Duterte.
But the worst part, they claimed, Kadamay had turned them into milking cows.
“Yung sinisingil po kami ng 150, 200, 300, makapag rally lang po. Hindi libre, kami pa po ang nagbabayad nun,” Jeffrey Ariz told GMA News.
Ariz, who also leads the breakaway faction, alleged that shelling out money for what they call as “lakbayin” or rally wasn’t voluntary. It’s either you cough up or face the specter of threats and harassment from Kadamay officials and their henchmen, he said.
Some were told to just simply pay up. “Minsan sinasabi ‘wag na kayo sumali sa rally magbigay na lang kayo ng 300,” said Julieta Dela Cruz.
A former Kadamay member, who requested anonymity, divulged that he got the unit he now occupies after giving in to the monetary demand of a Kadamay official whose name he didn’t mention.
At the onset of Kadamay’s takeover in Pandi, Bulacan in May 2017, he was asked to produce P15,000 in exchange for a guaranteed slot in a vacant housing project. After bargaining, it was reduced to P10,000. A final deal was made, he would pay P7,000 and settle the P3,000 balance later.
“Ang palabas nyan, sir, bayad para sa “lakbayin” pero hindi totally “lakbayin,” binibenta po sa amin yun,sir, he said.
Charlene Andesa couldn’t hold back her tears as she spoke to GMA News. She was also promised a housing unit. But up to now that remains just that.
“Nagbigay po ako ng isang buong baboy po. Hangggang ngayon wala pa po akong bahay. Pinapangakuan lang po ako,” she said crying.
But the Kadamay Pandi, Bulacan Chapter has shrugged off the apparent exodus, denying the
corruption allegations.
“Voluntary po ang paghingi ng suporta para sa mga “lakbayin,” said Pat Tupas, chairperson of Kadamay Pandi, Bulacan.
He turned the tables on one of the leaders of the breakaway group, claiming that Ariz was first stripped of authority as Kadamay official after he was caught acting as an “agent” in the illegal sale of vacant housing units in Pandi.
Tupas said “hindi tinotolerate ng organisasyong Kadamay ang ganitong mga taong nagtitiwalag at nilalabag ang batas.”
Ariz belied the allegation, promising to expose other wrongdoings being perpetrated by Kadamay.
The breakaway group said they will re-organize and form a new group to continue their goal.
“Bubuo po kami ng sarili naming group. Alam nap o naming kung papano magpatakbo ng ganitong klaseng grupo at ang goal naming ngayon ay lahat ng members dapat ang makikinabang, hindi yong mga lider lang,” Ariz said.
In a fit of anger, the former members, who occupy a government housing project in Pandi, Bulacan, threw their Kadamay identification cards to the ground, stomping them while chanting President Duterte’s name.
“Nagkakaisa po kami rito dahil sa mga panloloko ng mga Kadamay na yan,” said Bueno Cayman, one of the leaders of the group that broke away from Kadamay.
The splinter group said they have had enough of being forced to join protest actions which were mostly aimed at Duterte.
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But the worst part, they claimed, Kadamay had turned them into milking cows.
“Yung sinisingil po kami ng 150, 200, 300, makapag rally lang po. Hindi libre, kami pa po ang nagbabayad nun,” Jeffrey Ariz told GMA News.
Ariz, who also leads the breakaway faction, alleged that shelling out money for what they call as “lakbayin” or rally wasn’t voluntary. It’s either you cough up or face the specter of threats and harassment from Kadamay officials and their henchmen, he said.
Some were told to just simply pay up. “Minsan sinasabi ‘wag na kayo sumali sa rally magbigay na lang kayo ng 300,” said Julieta Dela Cruz.
A former Kadamay member, who requested anonymity, divulged that he got the unit he now occupies after giving in to the monetary demand of a Kadamay official whose name he didn’t mention.
At the onset of Kadamay’s takeover in Pandi, Bulacan in May 2017, he was asked to produce P15,000 in exchange for a guaranteed slot in a vacant housing project. After bargaining, it was reduced to P10,000. A final deal was made, he would pay P7,000 and settle the P3,000 balance later.
“Ang palabas nyan, sir, bayad para sa “lakbayin” pero hindi totally “lakbayin,” binibenta po sa amin yun,sir, he said.
Charlene Andesa couldn’t hold back her tears as she spoke to GMA News. She was also promised a housing unit. But up to now that remains just that.
“Nagbigay po ako ng isang buong baboy po. Hangggang ngayon wala pa po akong bahay. Pinapangakuan lang po ako,” she said crying.
But the Kadamay Pandi, Bulacan Chapter has shrugged off the apparent exodus, denying the
corruption allegations.
“Voluntary po ang paghingi ng suporta para sa mga “lakbayin,” said Pat Tupas, chairperson of Kadamay Pandi, Bulacan.
He turned the tables on one of the leaders of the breakaway group, claiming that Ariz was first stripped of authority as Kadamay official after he was caught acting as an “agent” in the illegal sale of vacant housing units in Pandi.
Tupas said “hindi tinotolerate ng organisasyong Kadamay ang ganitong mga taong nagtitiwalag at nilalabag ang batas.”
Ariz belied the allegation, promising to expose other wrongdoings being perpetrated by Kadamay.
The breakaway group said they will re-organize and form a new group to continue their goal.
“Bubuo po kami ng sarili naming group. Alam nap o naming kung papano magpatakbo ng ganitong klaseng grupo at ang goal naming ngayon ay lahat ng members dapat ang makikinabang, hindi yong mga lider lang,” Ariz said.
Cheers, disgust as Duterte kisses OFW in South Korea -Jim Paredes
Cheers, disgust as Duterte kisses OFW in South Korea https://t.co/jI9NIQi6yI via @rapplerdotcom— Jim (@Jimparedes) June 3, 2018
Stephen Sackur: Filipinos should elect more intelligent senators next time
Journalist Stephen Sackur shows the rest of the world’s “journalists” how it’s done on his BBC talk show HARDtalk where he put Philippine “senator” Antonio Trillanes IV through the wringer. Trillanes is one of the harshest critics of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and, by far, the most rabid — like a dog with a bone in his resolve to cut down Duterte’s government midway through its term.
Sackur did not mince words. He first got Trillanes to confirm that he is an avowed democrat then proceeded to grill him on the matter further citing the inconsistency of this vow to uphold democratic rule with his track record of launching coup d’etats (notably described by Sackur as “pathetic” in the way they lasted for no more than a day or two) against a duly-elected president, then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, through the 2000s.
On that single point, Sackur built a consistently-themed conversation with Trillanes. He kept referring to the simple fact that Duterte had, during his campaign for the presidency, been fully up front about what he envisions his rule will be like, laying on the table every gory detail of the way he plans to make good on his promises to run roughshod over every obstacle — even over “human rights” — to fulfill his mandate to clean up his country. That he won the presidential election with all those ideas laid out before the public to digest is, as Sackur points out more than a few times during the interview, democracy at work. Today, “the majority of Filipinos seem to like his iron fist,” Sackur observes. From there, more pointed questions were fielded by Sackur in rapid succession. One of his most difficult questions to Trillanes was, around whether or not his efforts to take down the Duterte administration were in tune with ordinary Filipinos’ sentiments. Sackur even went as far as describing Trillanes’s comments on the Philippine government as “constantly negative” in that light. Trillanes could only stammer out a response that merely
Sackur did not mince words. He first got Trillanes to confirm that he is an avowed democrat then proceeded to grill him on the matter further citing the inconsistency of this vow to uphold democratic rule with his track record of launching coup d’etats (notably described by Sackur as “pathetic” in the way they lasted for no more than a day or two) against a duly-elected president, then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, through the 2000s.
On that single point, Sackur built a consistently-themed conversation with Trillanes. He kept referring to the simple fact that Duterte had, during his campaign for the presidency, been fully up front about what he envisions his rule will be like, laying on the table every gory detail of the way he plans to make good on his promises to run roughshod over every obstacle — even over “human rights” — to fulfill his mandate to clean up his country. That he won the presidential election with all those ideas laid out before the public to digest is, as Sackur points out more than a few times during the interview, democracy at work. Today, “the majority of Filipinos seem to like his iron fist,” Sackur observes. From there, more pointed questions were fielded by Sackur in rapid succession. One of his most difficult questions to Trillanes was, around whether or not his efforts to take down the Duterte administration were in tune with ordinary Filipinos’ sentiments. Sackur even went as far as describing Trillanes’s comments on the Philippine government as “constantly negative” in that light. Trillanes could only stammer out a response that merely
Duterte rejects Robredo`s intent to be DOTR CHIEF
President Rodrigo Duterte shot down the possibility of having Vice President Leni Robredo take over the position of Social Welfare secretary after it was vacated with the recent rejection of Judy Taguiwalo by the powerful Commission on Appointments.
Asked by reporters on the possibility of having Robredo, the former housing secretary, to take over the Social Welfare portfolio, the President on Monday night responded with a resounding “no” on the suggestion. He did not clarify.
Duterte, however, said that he had asked an incumbent senator once if “she” could be the next DSWD chief.
The President likewise offered in jest the position of DSWD secretary to popular ABS-CBN broadcaster Doris Bigornia—who were among the reporters present during the roundtable held at Malacañang Park, a few steps from his Bahay Pagbabago home at the Pasig riverbanks.
The President said he will replace Taguiwalo with someone who will “avoid corruption” and “work sincerely” for the post.
Robredo’s name floated as one of the possible contenders for DSWD chief after one of his die-hard supporters, the former sex guru now Communications Assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson included her in an online poll, which the Vice President topped.
Uson later on accused the Vice President of employing trolls to win the online poll.
Duterte and Robredo had a falling out after the Vice President was disallowed to attend Cabinet meetings, following her criticisms over the Presidnet’s bloody drug war.
In the same media interview, the President said that he intends to work around the “legally-feasible” limits of the law to have the current military chief, General Eduardo Año within his turf.
While Año cannot assume a post yet due to one-year appointment ban, Duterte said that he can make him his senior aide at the Office of the President or even an undersecretary at the Interior Department, if this is possible.
“I need his services. Año would be under me. I would make him a senior aide of the Office of the President or whatever. Or undersecretary if that is legally feasible. Ilagay ko lang siya undersecretary but he performs as officer-in-charge,” Duterte said.
“It’s Año. But he has a mission. Sabi ko, “Tapusin mo muna ‘yung Marawi then I want you to go to the DILG,” he added.
Current Interior Officer-in-charge Catalino Cuy will remain in his post as DILG chief, until Ano’s one year restriction would be over, the President said.
Asked by reporters on the possibility of having Robredo, the former housing secretary, to take over the Social Welfare portfolio, the President on Monday night responded with a resounding “no” on the suggestion. He did not clarify.
Duterte, however, said that he had asked an incumbent senator once if “she” could be the next DSWD chief.
The President likewise offered in jest the position of DSWD secretary to popular ABS-CBN broadcaster Doris Bigornia—who were among the reporters present during the roundtable held at Malacañang Park, a few steps from his Bahay Pagbabago home at the Pasig riverbanks.
The President said he will replace Taguiwalo with someone who will “avoid corruption” and “work sincerely” for the post.
Robredo’s name floated as one of the possible contenders for DSWD chief after one of his die-hard supporters, the former sex guru now Communications Assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson included her in an online poll, which the Vice President topped.
Uson later on accused the Vice President of employing trolls to win the online poll.
Duterte and Robredo had a falling out after the Vice President was disallowed to attend Cabinet meetings, following her criticisms over the Presidnet’s bloody drug war.
In the same media interview, the President said that he intends to work around the “legally-feasible” limits of the law to have the current military chief, General Eduardo Año within his turf.
While Año cannot assume a post yet due to one-year appointment ban, Duterte said that he can make him his senior aide at the Office of the President or even an undersecretary at the Interior Department, if this is possible.
“I need his services. Año would be under me. I would make him a senior aide of the Office of the President or whatever. Or undersecretary if that is legally feasible. Ilagay ko lang siya undersecretary but he performs as officer-in-charge,” Duterte said.
“It’s Año. But he has a mission. Sabi ko, “Tapusin mo muna ‘yung Marawi then I want you to go to the DILG,” he added.
Current Interior Officer-in-charge Catalino Cuy will remain in his post as DILG chief, until Ano’s one year restriction would be over, the President said.
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