The Society of Honor by Joe America

Comments

1. giancarloangulo says:

   June 4, 2015 at 11:14 am

   I dont trust this ambulance chaser, personally I think this guy is saying this to discredit Grace Poe but I’ve been wrong before and may be wrong in this.

   :http://harryroque.com/2015/06/04/questions-for-poe/

   What are the society’s opinion in this ?

   Reply
   • Joe America says:

     June 4, 2015 at 11:32 am

     I don’t hear much from others, but I have been critical of Roque since he endorsed Binay (family friend) and used the tragedy of Jeffry Laude to pursue his political aims versus the VFA. He clearly behaved unethically . . . which leads me to wonder what happened to the disbarment complaint levied him for his acts, which included leading protests and egging a foreigner over the jailhouse fence to try to get at the (presumed innocent until proven guilty) Pemberton. He’s worse than an ambulance chaser in my book. He shares Binay values. Ethics don’t count.

     Reply
   • methersgate says:

     June 4, 2015 at 11:43 am

     Thanks for pointing out that blog post by Roque.

     What a thoroughly poisonous bit of writing – making use of a whole series of familiar tricks. Posing as someone well disposed towards Senator Poe, dropping names, making insinuations.

     Nasty.

     Reply
   • karl garcia says:

     June 6, 2015 at 4:21 pm

     Btw I went forum shopping with your link at Raissa’s a couple of days ago.

     Reply
     • giancarloangulo says:

       June 6, 2015 at 10:17 pm

       will check 🙂

       Reply
   • Janet Lim says:

     June 10, 2015 at 1:59 am

     He is a confirmed Binay supporter. In this link http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/696921/harry-roque-seriously-considering-senate-run-under-binays-una he admits that he is planning to run under UNA.

     Reply
     • methersgate says:

       June 10, 2015 at 3:48 am

       As Joe says, Binay is innocent until proven guilty, but Pemberton…

       The fellow must feel at home with The Binays.

       Reply
2. giancarloangulo says:

   June 4, 2015 at 11:18 am

   With respect to the Makati Sister LGU Program, can’t we get Bondal or Mercado to challenge the program in court?

   The first best would be as you opined that the electorate of the sis LGU’s hold their officials as necessarily anti corruption otherwise kick them out.

   Reply
   • Joe America says:

     June 4, 2015 at 11:37 am

     The legal process route requires laws to stand on, and that seems intricate, time consuming, and difficult.

     Making the Sister City relationship a local issue would bring discussion of Binay’s character to the forefront.

     Another option I suppose would be a program to unwind the program. To convince local leaders to break the agreement lest they be seen as having sold their LGU to the devil. And, or, are unpatriotic by having an allegiance to a subordinate interest, rather than the Philippines.

     Which brings a smile, as I think about all the people protesting the BBL because they think it will create a separate state. What has the Sister Cities program done?

     Reply
     • Elso Cabangon says:

       June 4, 2015 at 1:49 pm

       The Sister Cities program looks like a misnomer, if it means sisterhood between chartered cities. Am surprised to see that my small town of Alabat, Quezon is in the list. But I have to concede that what Jojo has done and is doing is a diabolically creative scheme.

       Reply
       • Joe America says:

         June 4, 2015 at 2:24 pm

         Right, Elso. It illustrates how long and hard he has been working to realize his dream. What do the citizens of Makati get from the program? They build the hospital and school and hotel for citizens of other towns? What does the Vice President personally get from the program?

         Diabolical, indeed. The King of Makati.

         Reply
         • Abraham Tible says:

           June 5, 2015 at 4:31 am

           Hi Joe,

           The said binay program is a ploy for him to get elected.The LGU’s are beholden to him and at the expense of the we pay in Makati City. Poor Makati residents!

           Reply
           • Joe America says:

             June 5, 2015 at 5:50 am

             Hello, Abraham. Yes, there is only one purpose for an organization like that, and it is not for citizen services.

             Reply
       • LCpl_X (@LCpl_X) says:

         June 6, 2015 at 7:20 am

         “a diabolically creative scheme”

         I agree, I’m starting to like this Binay fella. If he’s this crafty, let’s see what he can do as President. As long as he doesn’t follow Marcos’ route, and respects his term limit, a vote for craftiness may prove a positive here–I’m thinking Binay’s more of a Nixon, craftiness not thieving.

         The thieving will be problematic, but since this is pretty much the standard there, why not keep an eye on his thieving, but give the guy some room for his ingenuity in politics.

         Awaiting the Duterte article, but these Roxas & Poe characters don’t strike me as crafty.

         Reply
         • Joe America says:

           June 6, 2015 at 9:54 am

           The Duterte article is cooking. Maybe next week after josephivo’s article, tomorrow, which you will enjoy, I am confident. Roxas is considered to be a problem-solver by his colleagues. It is perhaps hard for us to see that, or know the outputs. Poe is crafty I think. But I don’t know that it is a problem-solving kind of crafty; more a trapo, interpersonal kind.

           Reply
           • LCpl_X (@LCpl_X) says:

             June 6, 2015 at 3:18 pm

             Looking forward to both articles, Joe. Can I get your readership to translate this Duterte ad:
             httpv://youtu.be/44_YfrS9OBc

             Reply
             • LCpl_X (@LCpl_X) says:

               June 6, 2015 at 3:19 pm

               let’s try this:

               [embed]https://youtu.be/44_YfrS9OBc[/embed]

             • LCpl_X (@LCpl_X) says:

               June 6, 2015 at 3:20 pm

               Or just this then:

             • Joe America says:

               June 6, 2015 at 3:34 pm

               If they so choose.

             • LCpl_X (@LCpl_X) says:

               June 6, 2015 at 3:39 pm

               It’s way to long to transcribe and input to Google translate, but I noticed a Jesus Christ and a dove, Holy Spirit, is the ad religious in nature? I thought Duterte was a cowboy.

             • karl garcia says:

               June 6, 2015 at 5:50 pm

               In Manila ginoo is gentleman in Bisaya it is lord god, in Manila langgam is an ant in Bisaya it is a bird… Libog confused/aroused,,,,,,,,,,,

             • karl garcia says:

               June 6, 2015 at 5:53 pm

               tapang – bravery,courage. malasakit= compassion

             • LCpl_X (@LCpl_X) says:

               June 7, 2015 at 4:49 am

               Thanks, karl, so basically it’s a play on words and meaning? Attempted to Google Translate for “napud” under Cebuano & Filipino, there’s seems no translation. Google search yielded two meanings, “again” and “next”, so which is it?

               But it’s the same voice from the ad Irineo posted on another thread, correct? So there’s the Bisaya ad and “Filipino”-wide ad (is it typical to cater to your base language and also “Filipino”/Tagalog language, this isn’t seen as divisive there?) https://youtu.be/-HOUlQ6UF-M

             • karl garcia says:

               June 7, 2015 at 7:35 am

               Catering to the base language can give a message to your provincemates and those who speak your language, that you are here for them,or they would not be forgotten,and the lingua franca message is like a net to catch the rest.

               Is it divisive?

               I have to call on Irineo and Sonny. my opinion is we are yet to get united.

               btw napud is again in cebuano. (I asked my mom for the cebuano stuff).

               sya napud. = he/she will again,it is him/her again

             • karl garcia says:

               June 7, 2015 at 9:40 am

               His campaign of using Manila instead of Tagalog and Bisaya instead of Cebuano, is not only about language, it is centralism vs federalism, Duterte is for federalism.
               As to Irineo’s comment on the British where the Scots and the Welsh completely erased their native tongue, I think it is not going to happen here,not in our lifetime.

     • josephivo says:

       June 4, 2015 at 3:27 pm

       Or promote: http://www.competitive.org.ph/node/647

       It would be interesting to see where the sister cities stand, if there is positive or negative correlation.

       Reply
       • Joe America says:

         June 4, 2015 at 3:36 pm

         Ha, not me, pal. I went blind trying to list all those places, I’m not up to any correlation analysis. CDO, the top ranked city, is a sister city. Someone should ask the mayor if being tied to Makati impelled the City to great things. Or if they did it without Makati’s help.

         And while they are at it, they should ask if the mayor or his family have been to Makati lately.

         Reply
     • Jutsky says:

       June 5, 2015 at 12:53 pm

       Wtf. Using Makati people’s money for his personal interest!

       Reply
       • Joe America says:

         June 5, 2015 at 1:43 pm

         Right, Jutsky. I share your sentiment.

         Reply
     • neo canjeca says:

       June 8, 2015 at 5:12 pm

       joe it’s about asexual propagation in the study of pomology; anybody can google grafting, inarching and marcotting. the term graft repeat GRAFT and corruption are inseparable words to connote a dirty crime. sisterhood has been corrupted to perform a criminal act through grafting of cities to benefit officials for free hotels, tours and even women in exchange for votes. that’s the door to getting inside the venalities hidden by sisterhood. Even priesthood can be corrupted by pedophiles and pederasts. dig deeper on values immorally exchanged and you see how sisterhood of cities is downright venal.

       Reply
       • Joe America says:

         June 8, 2015 at 5:25 pm

         Yes, I believe that, neo. And the amazing thing is that 625 mayors or governors believe it is perfectly acceptable. VP Binay visited Biliran Island the other day. Crossing the bridge on the way to Naval yesterday, I counted seven large banners draped above the highway welcoming the VP as if he were a superstar, like the Pope. That’s what he expects when he visits, I’m sure. That’s why he travels generously on the taxpayer’s account. And I’m sure it is the taxpayer who paid for his Epal moment in the sun. The Biliran provincial government and 7 of 8 municipalities are Binay sister cities.

         That is the state of the Philippines outside Manila. Bought.

         Reply
       • neo canjeca says:

         June 8, 2015 at 5:27 pm

         joe this is a lawyer’s tale about corruption when expensive clubs thrived in Roxas Blvd which was still Dewey Blvd. he with other lawyers were being given a good time by a lowly customs examiner who told them after a few drinks; give me one week for a straight priest with a tattoo of Jesus Christ in his chest and I will treat him every night and day and I assure you he will be ready to work in the Bureau of Customs.

         Reply
3. Percival says:

   June 4, 2015 at 1:49 pm

   It would be interesting to see an accounting of what the taxpayers of Makati have spent on this “sister cities” program….

   Reply
   • Joe America says:

     June 4, 2015 at 2:20 pm

     It would, and exactly how many citizens of the sister cities have been accepted for enrollment at the Makati schools, or treated at the hospital, or housed at the hotel. I’d guess a privileged few.

     Reply
4. Irineo B. R. Salazar says:

   June 4, 2015 at 2:16 pm

   All this bullshit: sister cities, pork barrel etc. – would not be necessary if LGUs automatically got 30% of tax revenues earned from their area for example and not how the system appears to be now – BIR collects everything and then central distribution of the funds. A more competitive system would encourage LGUs to help in collecting taxes and in promoting business ventures to have their money instead of trying to have friends like Binay, or sucking up to get pork barrel.

   Reply
   • Joe America says:

     June 4, 2015 at 2:31 pm

     The tax system of the Philippines is largely a mystery to me. I knew a guy who works in the tax office of a local community in Mindanao. The government conspired with the rich people to keep their property values low because it is the best way to stay in office. Or, rather, angering the powerful is a good way to get removed from office . . . one way or another. A neighbor had a huge fish pond built on his property “for personal use” (not taxed), and when the Ag/Fishies agent wrote up a complaint, that agent got transferred immediately deep into the heart of nowhere. The neighbor happened to be the attorney for a big shot mayor in a city nearby. Impunity . . . stylin’ like Binay.

     Reply
     • Irineo B. R. Salazar says:

       June 4, 2015 at 3:06 pm

       Everybody have been making their workarounds since the Big Bang you mentioned – I would place it around 1700, when the New Spain / Spanish East Indies colonial regime was established, maybe sometime around the abolishment of the exploitative encomienda.

       Like I mentioned in my history article regarding that period, state then was all about repression and extraction – and not getting in the way of the local ruling tandem of principalia (co-opted datus renamed into Dons, a title reserved for that class!) and priests. In such a system if you are not a bandit you are a victim, simple. The Spanish call such stuff tejemanejes, Filipinos would say maniobras, Latinos may call it la manera criolla…

       Reply
       • Irineo B. R. Salazar says:

         June 4, 2015 at 3:15 pm

         The regime was of course established earlier, but took about a century to quell all sorts of native resistance – Tamblot, Dagohoy and others which included turning away from Catholicism and going back to the native religion. Around 1700 it was fully entrenched.

         Reply
   • Micha says:

     June 4, 2015 at 2:50 pm

     Better still : get rid of 70/30 split and give 100% of the tax revenue to local governments who collected it (province, city, municipality).

     Because the national gov’t is monetarily sovereign, it does not anymore need to collect taxes in order to spend. The current system in practice is a remnant of the gold standard days.

     Reply
     • karl garcia says:

       June 4, 2015 at 3:07 pm

       A guest blog on monetary sovereignty would be very appreciated Micha.

       Reply
       • Micha says:

         June 4, 2015 at 3:35 pm

         karl,

         Would love to maybe one of these days. It doesn’t help being busy trying to earn a living. 🙂

         If you recall RHiro and I had exchanges on these subject some months ago. Modern Monetary Theory is a post-Keynesian idea developed here in the US primarily by Randall Wray, Warren Mosler, Stephanie Kelton (currently serving as economic adviser of Sen. Sanders), Scott Fullwiler, Steve Keen, Bill Mitchell and others. It has its roots in chartalism.

         Reply
         • Joe America says:

           June 4, 2015 at 3:53 pm

           Chartalism sells big in the Philippines. On . . . never mind, I read that as charlatanism. I miss R Hiro. He always starts the dialogue by pointing out how ignorant I am.

           Reply
           • Micha says:

             June 4, 2015 at 4:10 pm

             Joe,

             I guess you’re leaning towards hard money?

             Reply
             • Joe America says:

               June 4, 2015 at 4:50 pm

               I have the economic theoretical knowledge of a marketing guy. We pay hard money for ad space, or barter for it.

             • Micha says:

               June 4, 2015 at 5:15 pm

               That would be true for entities like private banks (did you say you’re with Citi or Goldman?).

               Entirely different when it involves national governments. Did you remember the debt ceiling and the fixation with deficits which led to gov’t shutdown in the US? It’s been pared down and the narrative changes, albeit reluctantly, even from Republican hard money types. Thanks to the push back from Keynesians and MMT folks.

         • karl garcia says:

           June 4, 2015 at 4:13 pm

           Yes, I read that and l also recall you talking about monetary sovereignty with Mary Grace.

           Reply
           • karl garcia says:

             June 4, 2015 at 4:50 pm

             I read it again and RHiro went all caps.

             https://joeam.com/2014/09/23/getting-the-supreme-court-out-of-the-business-of-operating-the-nation/#comment-79184

             Since I am interested I would not mind the all caps.

             Reply
             • Joe America says:

               June 4, 2015 at 5:04 pm

               That goes into the books as one of the classic debates on this blog. Along with Edgar and sonny discussing religion. And Irineo talking to himself. ahahahaha (Joke, joke, Irineo. I had a beer. Contraconditional to my BP meds.)

               We need an award program, like “best debate of the year”. Or the “MRP repetitive harangue of the year” award of 2015.

             • karl garcia says:

               June 4, 2015 at 5:36 pm

               Yeah,those were classics and they are priceless.(redundancy for emphasis)

             • Irineo B. R. Salazar says:

               June 4, 2015 at 6:56 pm

               Hehe, I was not yet active in this blog during that thread… not even as a reader.

               Anyway, no problem – in Dostoevsky’s novels, the ones who spew out the most insights are MRP-like or like I am at times, even worse they are mostly drunkards and lunatics…

             • Joe America says:

               June 4, 2015 at 7:15 pm

               Irineo, The revised you is quite good, you know. Crisp, selective, on point. Perfect.

             • Irineo B. R. Salazar says:

               June 4, 2015 at 7:33 pm

               Thanks… it took me a lot of writing to get there. Organize thoughts to a certain level.

               Put together the hunches and insights of 33 years abroad after my first 3 years in Germany and my 14 formative years in the Philippines. Make something useful out of it.

             • Micha says:

               June 4, 2015 at 8:28 pm

               @karl

               Hahaha…not exactly my idea of a dialog but it’s a start to get the concept of MMT out. I consider it part of Voltaire’s “cultivate the garden” prescription.

             • karl garcia says:

               June 4, 2015 at 10:13 pm

               RHiro as Pangloss?

             • Micha says:

               June 5, 2015 at 12:55 am

               karl,

               Actually I have zero idea where RHiro is coming from. Thanks to the video you posted somewhere on this site where he was featured in Herman Tiu Laurel’s TV show that I got a little inkling of his politics.

               Is he Pangloss? Not sure. The character was created by Voltaire to lampoon the optimism of Wilhelm Leibniz.

               I can’t see Rhiro as an optimist. He seems more like an angry nationalist (not that there’s anything wrong with being an angry nationalist, of course). 🙂

             • Joe America says:

               June 5, 2015 at 5:56 am

               Hahaha. My morning wake-up laugh. Spilt the coffee.

     • Irineo B. R. Salazar says:

       June 4, 2015 at 3:09 pm

       Does anybody here know how tax money is split up between LGU, provincial and national level, if at all? I have the feeling it ALL goes to Manila and then is distributed back.. so leaving a certain percentage for LGUs and provinces automatically would be a change.

       Reply
       • karl garcia says:

         June 4, 2015 at 3:21 pm

         Please check if this is the answer.

         http://reports.dbm.gov.ph/ira.php

         Reply
         • Irineo B. R. Salazar says:

           June 4, 2015 at 3:34 pm

           Thanks – laws in 1991 and 2006 already have changed things a bit, my infos were 1980s. But it isn’t quite what I meant – they want to automatically give a share back after collecting centrally, based on some centrally defined key to distribute % of national revenue.

           What I meant was that the percentage of money should go to the LGU, province, maybe even barangay once collected, before it even goes to Manila – so that areas that manage to promote business, attract high earners, help collect have more money automatically!

           Reply
           • Irineo B. R. Salazar says:

             June 4, 2015 at 3:58 pm

             Something similar to incentive pay systems for managers, consultants and salesmen. Harness the power of human greed, because it will always be there. Just like federalism channels the need for power and prestige by putting it to use for the greater whole.

             Reply
           • karl garcia says:

             June 4, 2015 at 5:00 pm

             Just another link for IRA

             http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_Revenue_Allotment

             Reply
             • Irineo B. R. Salazar says:

               June 4, 2015 at 5:11 pm

               “The allotment is largely based upon the type of government they are and a formula based upon their land area and population.” so my objection still stands: there is no real incentive based on how much tax revenue an area manages to generate…

             • Joe America says:

               June 4, 2015 at 5:22 pm

               I clicked on through to the Local Government Code of the Philippines and eventually got this nightmare, under taxation powers of LGU’s:

               http://www.chanrobles.com/localgov2.htm#.VXAXplWqqko

               Clearly the Philippines has rocket scientists masquerading as attorneys.

       • DAgimas says:

         June 5, 2015 at 5:21 am

         LGUs get 40% of all BIR collections divided into how many populations and how big the area of the LGU

         theres nothing like it anywhere else in the world. on top of this allocation, these LGUs are not responsible for public safety and education. ( the national govt is responsible) only health and social services are devolved to them. and all property taxes are theirs.

         in the US, public safety and education are the responsibility of LGUs. you don’t get allocation from the state and federal govts. you have to fund these services from your property taxes and sales tax etc.

         if you can not maintain these services, you are going to revert to the county as unincorporated area.

         that’s why the BIR chief said LGUs are lazy, even IMF/WB/ADB say that LGUs should find ways to raise their revenues and not to depend on this allocation from the national govt

         Reply
   • DAgimas says:

     June 5, 2015 at 1:04 am

     I don’t think the tax generation or allocation is the problem. on the contrary, the internal revenue allotment makes LGUs lazy. they don’t have to generate their revenue. they don’t have to create jobs to generate revenue. and they don’t generate their own revenue to spend for public safety, education or social services which I observe in the USA as the primary reason for local government existence.

     look, public safety and education are funded by the national government. so why do the LGUs still need allocation? they should generate their own revenue to spend on their pet projects?

     that’s why I support the BBL but not the provision of revenue allocation from the national govt. all govt entities should have their own specific functions and the ability to generate their own revenue to fund their respective functions and have the power to enforce such functions.

     some LGUs are rich like Makati and can function without that IRA. and since some functions are lodged on the national govt like education and public safety, their excess funds are used for the allowance of national govt employees like the courts, police, teachers

     but for many LGUs, they just depend on the IRA. even if all the BIR collections in these LGUS are turned over to them, its not enough to fund their operations so its a blessing for them to have IRA

     Reply
     • Micha says:

       June 5, 2015 at 10:29 am

       @DAgimas

       Thanks for sharing.

       There are more impoverished LGU’s across the country than those that generate positive income like highly urbanized towns and cities, Would you know the total deficits of the national gov’t.?

       Reply
     • karl garcia says:

       June 5, 2015 at 12:09 pm

       @DAgimas,
       I need your opinion on inclusive growth and trickle down economics.
       I also think that each LGU should generate revenue on their own,but as they say, it is more than meets the eye.

       =========
       @Micha,
       I was interested on the concept of Monetary Sovereignty raised byyoua because of the concept of the national government can spend without taxation.

       The National government spend most for education,yet it is less than 3 % of GDP and public safety meaning PNP and AFP and Coast Guard combined
       as far as the military spending is concerned it is about 2% of GDP include PNP and Coast Guard that would be more than education spending,but still not enough.

       My question If taxation is not important and the government can just spend and not worry about budget deficits?
       With Monetary sovereignty can we spend on education,and military let us say 10 % of gdp

       Or almost unli spending with the Central Bank controlling inflation,like what it has been doing?

       Will my points on Spending on Salaries of government personnel at more or less 30% and almost 30% debt services and the rest at 40 % be solved by a solution that is readily available,but somehow not utilized.

       Sorry, I just want to know,and I won’t pretend to know .

       =====
       Back to local government code, should it be amended to scrap the revenue sharing stuff?

       Reply
       • Micha says:

         June 6, 2015 at 12:19 am

         “With Monetary sovereignty can we spend on education,and military let us say 10 % of gdp?”

         Short Answer :

         As long as the bills are payable in Philippine Peso, ABSOLUTELY YES.

         Not So Short Answer :

         The reason there’s a qualifier in my short answer is that when the PNP and the AFP, for example, wanted to upgrade their military hardware they usually source it by importing and those are, as far as I know, always paid in foreign currency (usually US dollars). The Philippine national gov’t is not sovereign when it comes to dollar creation. We have to earn it. Remittances of OFWs are a major source. Our Bangko Sentral has dollar reserves for contingencies in foreign bills and obligations.

         The same is true in the education department. If the spending is just for payrolls of employees or teachers, there’s no constraint in the ability of our national gov’t to write the check. But not when it comes to importing goods and services payable in dollars.

         The practice of capping spending as a percentage of GDP is rather weird and unnecessary because of this:

         GDP = gov’t spending + private sector spending & investments + (exports-imports)

         It’s not rocket science. An increase in GS would correspond to an increase in GDP (measured, of course, in Philippine Peso).

         Reply
         • karl garcia says:

           June 6, 2015 at 7:43 am

           Many many thanks! Another reason to wonder what’s the holdup in government spending,well DAgimas has another view below,which I am yet to read thoroughly.

           Reply
           • Joe America says:

             June 6, 2015 at 9:57 am

             I think the hold-up is the cumbersomeness of the process. Take the big infrastructure projects. Before the big spending occurs, they have to go though assessment, bidding, legal hassles, and then get started. So there is a bit of a time warp between approval and spending. Plus, transparency these days requires great caution and tracks for money. Had DAP not been knocked down, I think there would be a lot more spending. But maybe with looser controls. The pipeline of money is billions and billions, the project count in the thousands. Pragmatically speaking, it is a pipeline clogged with process.

             Reply
             • Juana Pilipinas says:

               June 7, 2015 at 2:40 am

               Makati does not have that problem, Joe.

               http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/95494-binay-makati-clams-up-contracts

               This article also uses the government database to support it. Kudos to rappler for providing informative and factual approach in reporting.

             • Joe America says:

               June 7, 2015 at 6:20 am

               Shenanigans in Makati. Kudos to Rappler, indeed.

       • DAgimas says:

         June 6, 2015 at 12:24 am

         tax is the lifeblood of the nation. no tax no govt. as simple as that. you want service? you pay. no such thing as free lunch. that’s why there are so many toll roads because theres not enough tax to fund infrastructures.

         im no expert on stimulus spending but China is having spectacular growth because of stimulus or govt spending/investment. absence of this govt spending, their growth is likely to be just like ours. and this spending is funded by, guess what? debt

         on the matter of tax revenue allocation/autonomy. I believe that each set of govt should have their own function and the ability to raise funds for these functions. like the national govt is responsible for defense, foreign affairs and LGUs for public safety etc

         here in the states, if you can not fund your existence, you dissolve and just be part of the county (province). no relying on funds from the state or federal govt. you can not fund your police forces? the county sheriff will take over and they will charge your city for the policing service. you can not pay the sheriff? dissolve as LGU

         the reason americans migrate is to seek better jobs, better security, less tax. if the can find that in other states or county or city, they go. so LGUs strive to provide the best place with the least amount of tax.

         in the Philippines, there is no incentive to do that because LGUs have an automatic IRA. whether they improve their cities or not, no problem. they got IRA to fund their employees salaries

         Reply
         • Joe America says:

           June 6, 2015 at 5:55 am

           Fascinating. LGU’s lack the incentive to perform, financially. Or service-wise.

           Reply
           • edgar lores says:

             June 8, 2015 at 11:29 am

             *******
             Even the LGUs are a model of non-selfreliance? They are parasites forever sucking on the teats of the motherland for their subsistence?

             One would think there would be sufficient income from real estates and other property taxes, from garbage collection, sewerage maintenance fees, business licenses, etc.
             *****

             Reply
             • Joe America says:

               June 8, 2015 at 12:15 pm

               They are models of ineptitude, it seems to me. If you did a scaling of skill at managing a city or municipality, with 100 being perfect, most I’d imagine are in the 25 to 40 range. The bosses are not skilled people. They are just popular or powerful.

         • karl garcia says:

           June 6, 2015 at 8:03 am

           Here we do not dissolve we gerrymander by adding congressional districts,provinces,etc. all in favor of blank.
           Thanks for your comments.

           Reply
         • Micha says:

           June 6, 2015 at 9:41 am

           @DAgimas

           “tax is the lifeblood of the nation. no tax no govt.”

           That is the old view, the old paradigm – that was only true when money was still tied to precious metals like silver or gold, a finite commodity. Today, almost all developed and developing nations operate not on the gold standard but on a fiat system. As such, taxation took on an entirely different role in the affairs of the state – no longer the “lifeblood” but as a mechanism to control inflation and to regulate the distribution of wealth.

           Reply
           • Joe America says:

             June 6, 2015 at 10:05 am

             Keep hammering this. I’ll get it one of these days and write up a common man’s guide to running a booming economy. I’ll title it “A Dummies Guide to Making the Philippines Rich”.

             Reply
             • Micha says:

               June 6, 2015 at 10:49 am

               Using layman’s terms increase the chances of getting the message through. Academic scholars usually resort to technical language in explaining stuff which leaves the layman wondering what those wonkish terms are all about.

5. jameboy says:

   June 4, 2015 at 4:48 pm

   The Makati Sister City program is clearly the focus of the article and rightly so because it is seen to be the one that will make or break JoJo Binay’s dream of becoming our next president.

   I have no question on the attached info to bolster the danger that the program, if not address in a timely manner, might deliver Jojo to the Palace come 2016.

   One thing, I think, was missed was the proof why the Makati Sister City program is not only a vicious means to attempt to hijack democracy but why it is a threat to the national health of the country: Sen. Nancy Binay.

   The daughter was made the guinea pig to find out if the scheme of conniving, bribing and getting the nod of LGU heads will be a success. It was, indeed, a success. The daughter, who if I remember right shunned debates during the campaign, landed conveniently on the fifth spot. At present, her Senate time is occupied by attending, warding and defending her father’s position toward allegations against her whole family on the issue of corruption.

   Yes, I agree with the warning of the article. Jojo’s Sister City Program is the Trojan horse in our time that needs to be stopped and exposed. Now na! 👨

   Reply
   • Joe America says:

     June 4, 2015 at 4:55 pm

     Yes. Nancy Binay, the senator of no distinction or qualification whatsoever, thrust into office because her Daddy asked that it be so.

     So we understand the managerial strength of Daddy. Not based on skills. Based on favor, and power.

     What you see is what you get.

     Garbage in, garbage out.

     Reply
     • chit navarro says:

       June 5, 2015 at 12:05 am

       Nancy was elected because there was no rift yet between Malacanang & the VP at that time; there were no issues of corruption in the front pages; no cases of plunder against the Binays; no exposes of wealth of enormous proportion. That was a trial balloon on the effectivity of the sister-city program.

       The DILG secretary has effectively contained the sister-city program with its LGU seal of approval program inititiated by the late Jesse Robredo. The DILG secretaryhas been going around the country, giving out vehicles, ambulances. etc. to these LGU heads, in additiion to the DSWD pro-poor programs. That’s why the DILG portfolio is the most-sought after cabinet position for those with future political agenda. VP Binay coveted that position then but was nit given to him. To appease him, he was given the Housing & OFW portfolio. Unfortunately for the VPM OFW’s now are so well-informed because of social media and hopefully, this knowledge will trickle down to the voting members of their families t. That’s why, VOTER EDUCATION should and must be done in social media and start wit OFW’s = campaign in the manner like “OFW’S Remittances SAVE our sinking economy- NOW, OFW’s voting base will bring good governance to our country”; or something to that sort.

       Wait until the CoC’s are filed and Mr Roxas declares his candidacy – then we will see how DILG effective programs in the LGU’s have handily demolished the sister-city concept. Besides, the VP can no longer use the coffers of Makati City to wine and dine the mayors of these sister=cities/LGU’s because of the impending plunder charges against him and his son, the Mayor of Makati.

       Reply
       • Joe America says:

         June 5, 2015 at 5:54 am

         Most interesting background, Chit. Thanks. For sure this drama is still in Act II. Act I was before the Blue Ribbon Subcommittee.

         Reply
       • NHerrera says:

         June 5, 2015 at 7:55 am

         chit navarro,

         I am most often refreshed by your positive forward outlook. I too think that whoever wants to beat Binay at his game must have a strong strategy and action plan on this LGU sister-city thing. It’s about the only big weapon he has left.

         Reply
6. karl garcia says:

   June 4, 2015 at 5:03 pm

   It is a systemic masive vote buying machine.We need to have an oncologist to prevent this from becoming a cancer.

   Reply
   • Joe America says:

     June 4, 2015 at 5:11 pm

     The patient may already be terminal.

     Reply
     • Irineo B. R. Salazar says:

       June 4, 2015 at 5:16 pm

       Which terminal? NAIA1, NAIA2 or NAIA3? Or in a container in Manila port, held by Erap?

       Reply
     • karl garcia says:

       June 4, 2015 at 5:20 pm

       gulp, freeze the whole nation until it a cure can be found.

       Reply
       • Irineo B. R. Salazar says:

         June 4, 2015 at 5:46 pm

         I think have have had my Eureka moments in the Big Bang thread – regarding the “disease” and the “cure” for it:

         https://joeam.com/2015/06/02/the-big-bang-theory-of-philippine-social-dynamics/#comment-123242

         https://joeam.com/2015/06/02/the-big-bang-theory-of-philippine-social-dynamics/#comment-123246

         Summary: the system is stuck in the time of the “Big Bang” around 1700, Filipinos are strongly acculturated and much of what they do is unconscious, subliminal, not rational, more on rationalization – much palusot, the lawyers are the best at that Filipino art.

         Solution: fetch people from where they are plus shake them hard to make them conscious of what they are really doing, then lead them on the hard road to true modernization, not the modernity simulation the Philippines has been doing since the early 19th century…

         Reply
         • Irineo B. R. Salazar says:

           June 4, 2015 at 5:51 pm

           …the conditions Rizal already described in the Noli and the Fili are IMHO still there with a more modern coating, but scratch under the surface and do what Penelope Cruz told Tom Cruise in a very important movie: abre tus ojos, open your eyes… and take the red pill.

           Reply
           • Irineo B. R. Salazar says:

             June 4, 2015 at 6:49 pm

             What else is Jojo Binay except a modern form of Rizal’s character, Kapitan Tiago? http://katonynabanlawkasaysayan.blogspot.de/2013/10/kapitan-tiago-de-los-santos-rizals.html – now how would he have acted in a similar situation, today – THE SAME!

             Or a “reincarnation” of Aguinaldo, like Joe wrote in one of his older blogs? Or like Rizal foresaw at the end of the Fili, letting the Manny Pangilinan like character Simoun speak: “what if the slaves of today become the tyrants of tomorrow?” sorry gotta MRP a bit now…

             Reply
         • Joe America says:

           June 4, 2015 at 7:07 pm

           Wait for josephivo’s blog Sunday eve. This slips perfectly into his theme.

           Reply
           • Irineo B. R. Salazar says:

             June 4, 2015 at 7:36 pm

             Very good, thanks. Looks like the collective insight-gathering is gaining true momentum… And may hopefully bring new solutions, stuff that really gains traction in the Philippines.

             Reply
   • edgar lores says:

     June 4, 2015 at 8:55 pm

     *******
     So many sister cities. It would seem Binay has a stranglehold on the country.

     Stranglehold: “a grip around the neck of another person that can kill by asphyxiation if held for long enough.”

     We have to develop several countering techniques, and the suggested one of repudiation by the sister cities should add to the growing arrows in the quiver.

     o The senate has used exposure.
     o The Ombudsman has charged the son.
     o Poe has finally broken her silence and is morally ascendant.
     o News and social media are vocal in their condemnation.
     o The people will soon march.
     o Nobody wants to run as his vice-president.

     o But the Judiciary is yet to get its act together.
     o And the churches have been silent.

     The man is besieged on all all fronts… but he survives… just like Dracula.
     *****

     Reply
     • Mariano Renato Pacifico says:

       June 4, 2015 at 10:14 pm

       “Judiciary is yet to get its act together” – EDGAR LORES

       The Judiciary and Binay came from the same Alma Mater. Like Alma Mater, they are silent, like, Obama silent on Marwan and that other Muslim Bomber.

       San Beda-graduate deLima is alone on her crusade against U.P. behemoths.

       Reply
     • Mariano Renato Pacifico says:

       June 4, 2015 at 10:24 pm

       “The Senate has used exposure” – EDGAR LORES

       The Senate along with Philippine Media has lost whatever is left of their tattered credibility. The Senate is besieged by DAP, PDAF and sequestered Napoles.

       For the Senate to have credibility, The Magandang Gabi Bayan should use nog-nog reporters than half-white half-bred English-snob non-traditional looking Filipinos so they’d be believed by nog-nog Filipinos that identify with equally nog-nog Binay.

       The Senate should recuse itself from making Senate floors as their campaign circus tool to get re-elected.

       Senators out campaigning for 2016 should not redicule Binay’s skin color which comprises 98% of Filipino people who identify themselves with him.

       Reply
   • bauwow says:

     June 4, 2015 at 10:15 pm

     @karl, it also systematic. Although we have to give it to him, he did his homework ever since he sat as VP.
     One of the ways he can lose the presidency is that the Ombudsman charge him with plunder before he files his certificate of candidacy. Is it possible to at least charge him in four months time?

     Reply
     • Mariano Renato Pacifico says:

       June 4, 2015 at 10:28 pm

       Here is my take. Binay campaigning from prison is dramatic. Filipinos love drama. Drama sells. Philippine Inquirer knows that. PDI will cover Binay’s campaign from hot humid jail cell. It’s dramatic. People would vote him out of jail despite Sereno’s outdating Aguinaldo like Trillanes.

       Having Binay jailed before election is counter-productive. It will work in favor of Binay and PDI circulation. Please do not.

       Reply
       • karl garcia says:

         June 4, 2015 at 10:46 pm

         Binay-Revilla Binay-Jinggoy Binay-Enrile-The jail bird tandem.

         Reply
         • Mariano Renato Pacifico says:

           June 4, 2015 at 11:05 pm

           Tanda pogi & Sexy cannot win re-election from jail cell, Binay can. I’d rather have Binay self-destruct in his campaign trail than destroy him in his jail cell. REMEMBER: FILIPINOS LOVE UNDER DOGS.

           The nog-nog Filipinos alike Binay in telesyeres as abused houseboy marrying the daughter of his master.

           The Philippine Media should do reverse psychology. Show the cars of The Binays. Their Houses. Their travels. Their watches, iPhones, jewelries, tony restaurants they go to ….. THE NOG-NOG PEOPLE WILL SHUN THE BINAYS FOR OSTENTATIOUS DISPLAY OF STOLEN WEALTH.

           Mar Roxas should do the opposite. I am just wondering if Mrs. Roxas can do without fancy travels, houses, watches, iPhones, jewelries, carenderias instead of fancy restaurants and handsome bodyguards.

           Reply
     • karl garcia says:

       June 4, 2015 at 10:32 pm

       If it is only about Probable Cause,it is becoming more probable by the day,notwithstanding the false alarm a few weeks ago.

       Reply
       • jmbau816 says:

         June 4, 2015 at 10:48 pm

         @MRP, was not thinking of jailing him, although that is the long term plan. Having the Ombudsman chasing after him, will surely make voters think not to vote him, thus nullifying his sister city shenanigans. What happened? I thought you were in favor of Binay?

         Reply
         • Mariano Renato Pacifico says:

           June 4, 2015 at 10:56 pm

           I never knew Binay from Adam. “Binay”, “Jejo” and “Jejemon” was soooo foreign to me last year until I found out that The Binays have a stranglehold in Makati and Malacanang including Benigno.

           At that time, I was fighting for justice for The Binays because I found name-and-shame is very un-Catholic and judiciously un-Ethical. I am still advocating justice over injustice. I did not know to this day that advocating for justice is proBinay and injustice is antiBinay 🙂

           Reply
         • karl garcia says:

           June 4, 2015 at 11:03 pm

           No I am not.

           Reply
           • karl garcia says:

             June 4, 2015 at 11:07 pm

             oops, I think I am getting dizzy, i just answered a question not addressed to me.time to sleep.

             Reply
             • Mariano Renato Pacifico says:

               June 4, 2015 at 11:32 pm

               Philippine Politics keeps us awake !!! Never a dizzy moment.

         • Mariano Renato Pacifico says:

           June 5, 2015 at 1:26 am

           Binay is hanging on to the vice-presidency. He is trying to be relevant in political scene. He has to pay his crime. One good outcome of this name-and-shame game he’ll redeem their name if ever he becomes president. A negative outcome he may become vindictive to use his power as President against those who were against him. Win some, lose some.

           Reply
7. Mariano Renato Pacifico says:

   June 4, 2015 at 10:08 pm

   “Oddly, Vice President Binay continues to hold the public’s favor in surveys.” – JOEAM

   This is an evidence to the world what is spewed by Philippine Media is not believed by common people. Philippine Media lost its credibility to those who were surveyed. The Filipino newspaper readers cannot know what is true and what is false. The reality is different from what is published.

   The Philippine Media is a story about a “boy who cried wolf”. The Philippine Media just do not get it at all that they have lost all credibility.

   Could the Philippine Media working with Binay? Is Binay a shrewd media manipulator? An astute politician?

   The Filipinos love under-dog. Binay is attacked left and right. Binay allowed it. Because Binay who worked with the grass roots as human rights lawyer knows Filipinos love under-dogs. Belittling Binay as “negro”, “nog-nog” “colored” made the “negroes” “nog-nogs and the “coloreds” identify with Binay. Rags-to-“riches”. A Filipino modern day version of Robbing Hood. These colored Filipinos happened to be 98% of 100 Million Filipinos.

   Also, Binay is back-slapping selfie favorite wedding-ninong for free. Binay identifies with the poor and the “negro” “nog-nog” “colored” Filipino identify with Binay, A CROOK.

   Reply
8. Mariano Renato Pacifico says:

   June 4, 2015 at 10:49 pm

   Napoles and Binay are multi-billion crooks. Why is Napoles most hated and Binay is not? I am still scratching my head.

   If SWS were to be believed, what drives Filipinos to like Binay? Not Napoles? Four-time Congressional-session attendee Manny Pacquiao is the most liked. His brother who honored me with a selfie because Buboy blocked Manny Pacquiao of having picture with me is also well liked.

   Binay can connect to the coloreds in skin tone and crookery. The Colored Bakya-Dowdy-crowd connect with Binay in the absence of annointed presidential contender.

   Would the annointed presidential contender connect with the coloreds? Can voters touch him? Selfie with him? Dress like the coloreds? Eat with the hands? Drink Tanduay? Is presidential contender Vilma Santos fan? Or some snooty fair-skinned english-snob Alabang actress?

   A Binay-bashing presidential contender is counter-productive. The coloreds can know the contender running on anti-Binay platform not saving the country from the Filipinos.

   Reply
9. alilir says:

   June 5, 2015 at 1:33 am

   That poster should read “Lalonng Gaganda ang Buhay ni Binay” :p
   Also my scroll button got tired. I think you need a wider table Joe

   Reply
   • Joe America says:

     June 5, 2015 at 5:57 am

     Yeah, that’s a bummer, but the exercise makes a point.

     I changed the photo. It was freaking people out. 🙂

     Reply
10. chit navarro says:

    June 5, 2015 at 4:39 am

    Good morning Joe. Would it be too much to ask if you change that picture you have on this article? At a glance, it would seem like you are endorsing him because of this picture and the message it carries. Perhaps you can use one of the photos for the STOP BINAY MOVEMENT.

    I want tp share this article in my FB page but I am having second thoughts because of the photo. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Joe America says:

      June 5, 2015 at 5:49 am

      Done deal. Thanks for the suggestion.

      Reply
      • chit navarro says:

        June 5, 2015 at 6:48 am

        Thanks but no thanks…. 🙂
        I tried sharing it on FB but the old picture of his smiling face is still the one coming up.

        Can you do something about it, please? I just cancelled my FB share… 🙂

        Reply
        • Joe America says:

          June 5, 2015 at 7:30 am

          Drat. Okay. Let me pull it and republish it, see if that resets the photo.

          Okay. It is re-published. I hope that works.

          Reply
          • chit navarro says:

            June 5, 2015 at 9:31 am

            IT DID!!!!! Thanks Joe! now it looks a lot better! – the picture says it all…

            Reply
            • Joe America says:

              June 5, 2015 at 1:31 pm

              Great. We pride ourselves on quality customer service. 🙂 Indeed, the picture is perfect.

              Reply
            • Mary Grace P. Gonzales says:

              June 5, 2015 at 1:58 pm

              Shared it on my FB too….

              Reply
11. Joe America says:

    June 5, 2015 at 7:53 am

    I see Gov. Salceda of Albay Province has come out in support of Mar Roxas for President. He could perhaps start a snowball rolling (in favor of Roxas) if he could convince any of the 9 LGU’s in his province that are Makati Sister Cities to tear up that agreement.

    Reply
    • chit navarro says:

      June 5, 2015 at 9:47 am

      After the July State of the Nation Address, we may see the ratings of the LP candidate soar…. Of course, the administration won’t engage in electioneering this early…. Let Binay take centrstage in the meantime…

      Reply
      • Joe America says:

        June 5, 2015 at 1:33 pm

        At center stage, they seem to be getting everyone in the audience irritated at them. They’ve got Poe nettled and anyone who has watched her closely knows she strikes back. When a populist turns against them, their base is getting hit.

        Reply
    • NHerrera says:

      June 5, 2015 at 10:08 am

      Salceda is an economist, was an investment analyst and now an effective Governor of an important province — Albay. He combines the minds of an economist, an able administrator and a politician. It will indeed be fortunate if we have more of his kind at this juncture of the country’s history. It is good to know that he is on side of Roxas.

      Reply
      • Joe America says:

        June 5, 2015 at 1:34 pm

        Yes. it is a quality endorsement. I’d like to see Sister Cities start to break off. I hope he has some sway among mayors in the province.

        Reply
12. stitch says:

    June 5, 2015 at 10:43 am

    Reblogged this on bleary and commented:
    From Joe. It’s a sentiment I share, since I think this was how he got the VP position in the first place.

    Reply
13. andrewlim8 says:

    June 5, 2015 at 1:39 pm

    Binay is now considering Erap Estrada as his vice president.

    Memes:

    The Alleged Plunderer and the Convicted Plunderer, whose sons are also….hmmmm

    Di Baleng Corrupt, Basta Matulungin sa Mahirap

    Madilim na Daan, Patungo Saan?

    He’s Dating the Gangster

    Ganyan kami sa Makati, libre lahat. Basta kuha lang ako ng kuha….

    Kay Binay, Aatras ang Buhay.

    Kung kaya niya makipag-alyansa
    Kay Enrile at Estrada,
    Hindi ka ba magdududa
    Sa inaasal ng UNA?

    Reply
    • NHerrera says:

      June 5, 2015 at 2:10 pm

      With the way Binay has been “considering” a lot of people as his running mate lately, I can’t help write: if Erap for some reason says he does not want to be a VP under Binay, I can expect a quick riposte from Binay — I said I was considering him, I have not offered him to be my running mate. Hahaha.

      Reply
    • Joe America says:

      June 5, 2015 at 3:14 pm

      Sometimes I must confess, things here are so surreal I have to wonder if those are really blood pressure medications the doctor has me taking.

      Reply
      • NHerrera says:

        June 5, 2015 at 3:48 pm

        Joe,

        I do not know if this makes sense. I just posted it in Raissa’ Blog:

        ————————————————————————————
        GMA-NEWS — VP Binay floats Erap as running mate in 2016 (June 5, 2015 1:02pm)

        http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/498926/news/nation/vp-binay-floats-erap-as-running-mate-in-2016

        MY TAKE

        Erap teaming up with Binay as the latter’s VP is not to covet VP at this stage of his life, after being President before, and having redeemed himself, in some way, by getting elected as Manila Mayor. His motive if he agrees to be Binay’s VP is to benefit Jinggoy, immediately if Binay wins.

        On the other hand, ASSUMING the tandem on the other side is Poe-Roxas, and knowing the great, probably irreversible, erosion of the Binay brand, there is a good chance of the Poe-Roxas win over Binay-Erap. With this calculus, may it not better to support Poe-Roxas and thus still have Poe in debt (to be paid in the currency of Jinggoy), even if the debt is not paid for immediately?

        With a Roxas-Poe tandem, my crystal ball becomes rather cloudy. The calculus changes.

        Since P-noy will decide only on his endorsement after July 27, Erap will just be diplomatic about the matter if asked. The time element is indeed a big factor in this tandem game. Exciting

        (My opinion, using a rather old SLIDE RULE with numbers and vertical lines not too clear anymore.)
        ————————————————————————————-

        Reply
        • Joe America says:

          June 5, 2015 at 4:29 pm

          What a disaster. Free the plunderers, toss ITLOS, anoint a king. A young, rising nation delivers itself into the hands of the aged and ethically infirm. Tragic, actually.

          Reply
14. Mary Grace P. Gonzales says:

    June 5, 2015 at 1:51 pm

    Am having difficulty posting, are we also subject to moderation..this is the first time this happened to me while on desk top ‘puter… this is a test posting…testing, testing

    Reply
15. Mary Grace P. Gonzales says:

    June 5, 2015 at 1:56 pm

    Huh? the test post got in but can’t find my other post, I reconstructed and sent it again, only to receive a message that it was sensed to be a duplicate post… weird.

    Reply
    • karl garcia says:

      June 5, 2015 at 2:54 pm

      try again kahit summary.

      Reply
      • Mary Grace P. Gonzales says:

        June 5, 2015 at 4:03 pm

        4th try still a negative, oh well…hahaha

        Reply
        • karl garcia says:

          June 5, 2015 at 4:32 pm

          double positive if two negatives make a positive.:)

          Reply
          • karl garcia says:

            June 5, 2015 at 4:34 pm

            me fifth try pala

            Reply
      • Mary Grace P. Gonzales says:

        June 5, 2015 at 4:05 pm

        Ok, 5th try…to post….

        “Because the national gov’t is monetarily sovereign, it does not anymore need to collect taxes in order to spend. “ – Micha

        I need to know more about a country being monetarily sovereign. My impression of our budget system that is being subjected to annual scrutiny and criticism by the likes of Leonor Briones and Ben Diokno (of the previous administrations) is that it is based on hard money, dependent on revenues collected by the BIR, Customs and other revenue generating agencies of the government. Various department and agencies are forever fighting for a bigger share of the pie, so to speak.

        I always though about it as actual hard money, in bills and coins…hahaha…Stories told in my youth about sackful of Japanese money without value which are all over the country during the Japanese occupation are now coming to mind.

        According to this:

        http://mmtwiki.org/wiki/Monetary_Sovereignty

        Monetary sovereignty refers to the ability of a government (generally a national government) to control its own currency.

        “A nation is sovereign in MMT parlance if it issues its own currency, floats it freely on foreign exchange markets and does not acquire financial liabilities that are denominated in a foreign currency.” — Bill Mitchell

        To be sovereign, a government must have the ability to control the amount of money in existence at no cost and must owe its obligations in that currency. A country can still be monetarily sovereign if it chooses to adhere to certain kinds of domestic rules, for example a Debt Ceiling.

        Examples

        Many governments enjoy monetary sovereignty. The United States, Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom each control their own currencies (the United States Dollar, the Canadian Dollar, the Pound and the Yen). The governments of these nations can create money at will, at no cost. The U.S. Government, for example, can “spend reserves into existence.” The sub-national entities of these Countries (States and Provinces) are not monetarily sovereign.

        My question is: Are our financial liabilities denominated in a foreign currency.” If they are, then if we adhere to certain kinds of domestic rules, for example a Debt Ceiling, does that make us still monetary sovereign despite that?

        It would be great if we really are truly monetary sovereign, then with proper control so as not to make our currency worthless, as you say, we can allocate more to LGUs so they can function as they should. I also agree that LGUs should not be lazy and just be dependent on their IRA’s share.

        Reply
        • Joe America says:

          June 5, 2015 at 4:34 pm

          Your posts went into my spam file, and I have no idea why. That is very very rare that Askimet gets it wrong.

          Reply
          • Joe America says:

            June 5, 2015 at 4:35 pm

            It appears that it just didn’t like that long post as your short ones come through. I think the planets are misaligned today. Driving on the roads was bizarre today. Everyone was out of sync.

            Reply
            • Mary Grace P. Gonzales says:

              June 5, 2015 at 4:54 pm

              ahh, the misaligned planets have apparently raised my BP, too…hahaha or was it this blog article and the link on pcij that Juan provided? ayayay…this VP Binay is a nation’s headache

              Reply
              • Joe America says:

                June 5, 2015 at 5:03 pm

                Ahh, he is a national wonder. An unnatural disaster.

              • Dodong says:

                June 6, 2015 at 11:11 am

                Pnoy together with chiz gave us this headache when They organized NoyBi last 2010 election.

              • Joe America says:

                June 6, 2015 at 1:05 pm

                Well, the rational people generally went with NoyMar, but Chiz got us NoyBi. This stuff would have been an aberration in Makati if Roxas had been VP. And to be truthful, all the dirt was well hidden in 2010. So I don’t think Chiz had any idea.

        • Micha says:

          June 6, 2015 at 12:42 am

          @Mary Grace

          Thank you for the link on Monetary Sovereignty.

          As to your question, yes, we have dollar debt (karamihan ninakaw ni Makoy). In that sense, our Monetary Sovereignty is limited. But for as long as our national government’s obligations are denominated in our own unit of account, the Philippine Peso, there is no constraint, outside of the danger of inflation and real resource, to exercise its Monetary Sovereignty.

          Reply
          • karl garcia says:

            June 6, 2015 at 8:16 am

            We got to find a way to convert the foreign currency denominated debt to peso , by borrowing from the domestic banks and the citizens and then spend like hell.

            Reply
            • karl garcia says:

              June 6, 2015 at 8:26 am

              We must manufacture stuff he here,like the defense industry to even make a dent in lessening of imports.So long as it is cheaper to buy imported ukay, we have a long way to eliminate imports.

              Reply
              • Joe America says:

                June 6, 2015 at 9:59 am

                Yes, put this in 56 point bold as a headline. Blog it.

            • Joe America says:

              June 6, 2015 at 9:58 am

              War bonds. Build ships, drones and missiles here. Works for me.

              Reply
16. Juana Pilipinas says:

    June 5, 2015 at 2:07 pm

    Great read related to the topic of sister cities:

    http://pcij.org/stories/binay-bags-p200-m-pdaf-pork-train-to-malacanang/

    Reply
    • karl garcia says:

      June 5, 2015 at 2:53 pm

      The only redeeming factor is, he did not get the 500 million he asked for.

      Reply
    • Joe America says:

      June 5, 2015 at 3:22 pm

      The article makes me ill. The VP is buying mayors and buying votes and turning democratic process inside out. Right in front of everyone’s eyes.

      Reply
      • jameboy says:

        June 5, 2015 at 4:01 pm

        But look at the bright side, with those corruption allegations and the people’s reaction about it, he may end up buying ONLY the mayors or worse he bought votes but they still voted for someone else! 😎

        Reply
17. Mariano Renato Pacifico says:

    June 5, 2015 at 10:11 pm

    Grace Poe’s 1st memorable quote of election on her residency and citizenship qualification:
    ““Wala kaming personal na away, masakit man ang ibinato nila sa akin,” (We don’t have any personal quarrels, even though they cast hurtful claims against me)”

    What Grace Poe is saying, to heck with laws and constitution, Binay is her friend. Attack dogs of Binay should not question her qualifications’ residency and citizenship

    Mar Roxas’ 1st memorable quote of election season on Poe’s residency and citizenship qualification:
    “Be strong” brushed off the questions raised by UNA against the senator as “technicalities”.

    Binay is not entitled to “technicalities” Grace and Mar are. Laws and Constituions in the Philippines are just mere “technicalities”. Sounds like birds of the same feathers I am hoping not for the good of the country.

    Grace and Mar should not respond off their holsters to avoid faux pas. Or is it a sign? It seems nobody took notice.

    May God have mercy on Filipinos.

    Reply
    • bauwow says:

      June 5, 2015 at 10:20 pm

      Uncle Joe, heard that Binay was in Biliran today distributing goodies and roamed the market places. He also gave free wheelchairs, did you get one?(Just kidding po.)

      Reply
      • Mariano Renato Pacifico says:

        June 5, 2015 at 10:53 pm

        I’ll be darned !!! I am wondering where Binay got his money for giveaways. I’ll count his ways:
        1. Overpriced parking
        2. Overpriced cake
        3. Boy Scout of the Philippines
        4. Mt Makiling

        Binay is a crook. They have to prove he is a crook. Binay is slippery as jellyfish. Do Biliran folks know that Binay is the current reigning king of crooks?

        Biliran folks should not accept freebies from Binay it is taxes stolen from Makati folks.

        Reply
      • Joe America says:

        June 6, 2015 at 5:33 am

        Ahahaha, no, they tried, but I asked for a skateboard instead.

        Reply
    • Mariano Renato Pacifico says:

      June 5, 2015 at 10:21 pm

      What this means is Binay cannot exercise his technicalities on his scandals but Poe and Mar can legitimately exercise technicalities on Poe’s residency and citizenship.

      What Binay, Poe and Mar is saying, Laws and Constitution are mere technicalities and inconvenience that should not be respected.

      Reply
      • Juana Pilipinas says:

        June 5, 2015 at 10:57 pm

        I get it, MRP. I am also cognizant of your obsession with fairness to the extent that you, yourself, will write an affidavit for Binay just to level the playing field. You might want to analyze where your zealousness is coming from because some of it is misplaced. Just lookin’ out for you, bro.

        Reply
        • Mariano Renato Pacifico says:

          June 5, 2015 at 11:08 pm

          What I am saying in my comment is illegalities and thumbing their noses on laws is so deep0-in-their bones common what coming out of their mouth seems normal. If Poe and Mar did their comment in my country, they’d be hit left-and-right up-and-down by talking heads and night time shows.

          Mar and Poe should be careful what comes out of their mouth. Hey, anyways, this is the Philippines. They are more concerned about spelling and grammar not the content of the message.

          This is my advocacy: “I have a dream that Filipinos will one day live in Philippines where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, nor grammar and spelling but by the content of the message.”

          The message Poe and Mar is maliciously sending is LAWS and CONSTITUTIONS ARE MERE TECHNICALITIES, DISTRACTION AND MINOR INCONVENIENCE that is selectively applied.

          Reply
          • Juana Pilipinas says:

            June 6, 2015 at 1:36 am

            We see what we want to see. We filter information/data through our own looking glasses.

            My take on Poe is she is being assertive. Problem is, a lot of Filipinos only fall into the docile and aggressive spectrum and Poe broke the mold. There is a middle ground of assertiveness. Standing up for what you believe in need to be celebrated, not ridiculed. You, of all people, should know this.

            As for Roxas, my read is, he is telling Poe, “You are in politics and these mudslinging are not unusual. I, myself, went through it in 2010 and I am a better person for it.” I take that as a very considerate approach.

            Your take on Poe and Roxas follows the aggressive stance, IMHO. Frankly, I think your view from your looking glass is a tad blurred.

            Reply
            • Mariano Renato Pacifico says:

              June 6, 2015 at 3:58 am

              Grace adn Mar’s response to constitutional requirements of her citizenship and residency is definitely not “mudslinging”. All 100,000,000 Filipinos have the right if she passed the requirements. It is written in the constitution … errrr … do they have constitution over there?

              My point here are:
              1. Grace unconsciously is saying, since Binay is her friend attack dogs of Binay should not ask about her citizenship and residency;
              2. Grace is also saying, if she ever steal from the people, FRIENDS should not rat her out
              3. I cannot blame Grace, she still has that heavy Filipino cultural baggage. Of course she does not mean that Friends should cover for crooked Friends. She must use precision of words and meaning. She is held to a higher standard. She is running for the highest position of the land.
              4. To settle her bloodline, she should submjit DNA test. She must not do a Binay by ignoring the clamor of her bloodline. So what if her father is Marcos? I still vote for her not for Binay.
              5. Mar’s response is pathetic. constitutional requirement of residency and citizenship is not “tecnical” issue. Constitution must be held not with annoyance, technicalities, distraction and minor inconvenience.
              6. Again, Mar should use precision of words and meanings. He is running for the highest position of the land.

              Fortunately, Hated UP crook former COMELEC Brilliantes made famous his Incredible quote of the century ““Despite all of the attacks, I still signed the deal with Smartmatic. I did not have to sign it but I signed it… They kept on attacking us, so I signed it” came to the rescue of Grace Poe WHICH I TOTALLY AGREE.

              I know Brillantes is Smartmatic crook. He redeemed himself by coming to the rescue.

              I agree with U.P Crook Brillantes. I do not agree with the attack dog of Binays. Allow me to repeat myself, IT IS THE RIGHT OF THE FILIPINO PEOPLE TO INQUIRE ABOUT HER RESIDENCY AND CITIZENSHIP. There is nothing wrong with that. That is not mudslinging either.

              Reply
              • Juana Pilipinas says:

                June 7, 2015 at 1:55 am

                mudslinging (noun)

                * the use of personal attacks or insults in order to undermine an opponent

                Use in a sentence:

                The ceaseless mudslinging merely convinced voters that neither candidate was worth voting for.

                Synonyms:
                * character assassination, smearing, belittlement, disparagement, revilement, innuendo

                (Merriam-Webster)

                Besides, Toby owned an idea brought forward by Rene Ipil at Raissa’s blog. He and Binay said the idea surfaced two months ago. Is it a coincidence that within a week of Rene’s comment, the issue was blown out of proportion by UNA?

            • Mariano Renato Pacifico says:

              June 6, 2015 at 4:13 am

              As what Benigno told Mar and Grace, “What is the fuss?” treating them like immature kindergartners.

              There was no fuss, Benigno !!! Philippine Inquirer was just trying to sell newspapers at the expense of Mar and Grace and The Binays by entertaining the Filipino electorates.

              Reply
      • Joe America says:

        June 6, 2015 at 5:35 am

        Which means its the Philippines and they are Filipinos. So QED on Grace. She qualifies.

        Reply
18. Juana Pilipinas says:

    June 5, 2015 at 10:53 pm

    Good stuff here for the big data enthusiasts and right-to-know advocates:

    http://data.gov.ph/catalogue/dataset

    Reply
    • Mariano Renato Pacifico says:

      June 5, 2015 at 11:02 pm

      Thank you, Juana. The data I wanted to get my hands on are the following:
      1. Hotel occupancy rates. NONE
      2. Condominium occupancy. NONE
      3. Office building occupancy. NONE
      4. OFW-financed real property acquisition. NONE
      5. Average cost of mid-tier property. NONE
      6. Newspaper circulation and readership. NONE
      7. Demographics of newspaper readers. NONE
      8. Box office sales of tagalog vesus foreign movies. NONE
      9. Demographics of given cities or provinces. NONE
      10. Who are likely to buy real properties. NONE

      There are plenty more. I’d rather stick to top ten before I splurge my dollars in the Philippines.

      Reply
      • Juana Pilipinas says:

        June 6, 2015 at 1:43 am

        You do not have to wait for the government to give you the dataset you want. With some research and a lot of extrapolating, you will be able to create the data you wanted. Conduct your own due diligence then share it with others. Become an agent of the greater good.

        Reply
        • i7sharp says:

          June 6, 2015 at 6:30 pm

          Thanks, Juana, for sharing the info about data gov ph
          Did you try looking for data on Pampanga?
          I tried and found only one dataset but could not retrieve the info it was supposed to contain.
          (Probably my bad.)

          Here is one “dataset” I created in 2010; it probably took me less than five minutes to do it.
          http://j.mp/data-12pm

          I used copy-and-paste technology. 🙂

          Reply
          • Juana Pilipinas says:

            June 7, 2015 at 2:11 am

            Thank you, i7sharp. I am building databases of stuff I am interested in about PI. Your dataset will be helpful in inferring a lot of things about Pampanga province.

            Hahaha. I, myself, use cut-and-paste in building my database. Why reinvent the wheel? 🙂

            Reply
            • i7sharp says:

              June 7, 2015 at 7:29 am

              Juana,

              I think I may have done it for all the provinces.

              The j.mp shortcut is case-sensitive. I have so far been using only the lower-case.
              To get the similar dataset for, say. Abra,
              simply replace the “pm” in my example (for Pampanga)
              with “ab”(for Abra).

              (I hope people will try the link to the data for their home or favorite province and let me know if it does not work.)

              AB/Abra
              – http://j.mp/data-12ab
              AK/Aklan
              AL/Albay
              AN/Agusan del Norte
              AP/Apayao
              AQ/Antique
              AS/Agusan del Sur
              AU/Aurora
              BA/Bataan
              BG/Benguet
              BI/Biliran
              BK/Bukidnon
              BN/Batanes
              BO/Bohol
              BS/Basilan
              BT/Batangas
              BU/Bulacan
              CB/Cebu
              CG/Cagayan
              CL/Compostela Valley
              CM/Camiguin
              CN/Camarines Norte
              CS/Camarines Sur
              CT/Catanduanes
              CV/Cavite
              CZ/Capiz
              DI/Dinagat Islands
              DC/Davao Occidental
              DO/Davao Oriental
              DS/Davao del Sur
              DV/Davao del Norte
              ES/Eastern Samar
              GU/Guimaras
              IB/Isabela
              IF/Ifugao
              II/Iloilo
              IN/Ilocos Norte
              IS/Ilocos Sur
              KA/Kalinga
              LE/Leyte
              LG/Laguna
              LN/Lanao del Norte
              LS/Lanao del Sur
              LU/La Union
              MB/Masbate
              MC/Occidental Mindoro – http://bit.ly/nscb-12mc
              MD/Misamis Occidental
              MG/Maguindanao
              MM/Metropolitan Manila (not one of the 81 provinces)
              MN/Misamis Oriental
              MQ/Marinduque
              MR/Oriental Mindoro
              MT/Mountain
              NC/Cotabato
              ND/Negros Occidental
              NE/Nueva Ecija
              NR/Negros Oriental
              NS/Northern Samar
              NV/Nueva Vizcaya
              PL/Palawan
              PM/Pampanga
              PN/Pangasinan
              QR/Quirino
              QZ/Quezon
              RI/Rizal
              RO/Romblon
              SC/South Cotabato
              SG/Sarangani
              SK/Sultan Kudarat
              SL/Southern Leyte
              SM/Samar
              SN/Surigao del Norte
              SQ/Siquijor
              SR/Sorsogon
              SS/Surigao del Sur
              SU/Sulu
              TR/Tarlac
              TT/Tawi-Tawi
              ZM/Zambales
              ZN/Zamboanga del Norte
              ZS/Zamboanga del Sur
              ZY/Zamboanga Sibugay

              Using free resources (NoteTab and OpenOffice, for example),
              one can create a spreadsheet containing all the data together.

              Reply
              • Juana Pilipinas says:

                June 7, 2015 at 10:52 am

                Thank you, i7sharp. Will play with your data as I have a couple of provinces I am wanting to look into deeply.

    • Joe America says:

      June 6, 2015 at 5:39 am

      Ah, a database of databases. I felt I was wandering in the Queen’s garden, that maze at the hacienda. But will rummage around the next time I do a statistical blog. Maybe 2018.

      Reply
      • Juana Pilipinas says:

        June 7, 2015 at 2:18 am

        Let me know if you get the urge to write something that needs extensive data before 2018. I might be able to assist. 🙂

        Reply
        • Joe America says:

          June 7, 2015 at 6:14 am

          Ahhh, that’s an offer I’m likely to honor! Thanks, Juana. 🙂

          Reply
    • karl garcia says:

      June 6, 2015 at 7:54 am

      Many thanks for this Juana!

      Reply
19. Mariano Renato Pacifico says:

    June 6, 2015 at 3:04 am

    Partnership of Crooks ! The BEST Team !!!

    BEST – Binay + ESTrada

    http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/696371/best-tandem-binay-eyes-erap-estrada-as-running-mate

    Reply
    • chempo says:

      June 7, 2015 at 1:54 pm

      Past to present = Future
      President convicted of plunder + presidential wannabe under plunder raps = Furute President and VP of Philippines

      Reply
20. Bing Garcia says:

    June 6, 2015 at 11:05 am

    All is not lost, however. What the Philippines has now going for it in the war against poverty is the Conditional Cash Transfer program, started by Arroyo and expanded by P-Noy. That program is aimed at destroying the intergenerational transfer of poverty by making sure that children in a poor family have the chance to finish a high school education and to be healthy. The benefits will be felt in the long term, but it will be felt. P-Noy could have used that money to improve the poverty incidence figures during his term, but he chose to be a statesman rather than a politician. That much we must give him. That much he deserves. Solita Monsod

    Reply
    • Joe America says:

      June 6, 2015 at 1:08 pm

      Excellent point. I wish Solita Monsod would comment here now and then. What a great mind. A realist. It is also worth noting that school dropout rates are evidently on the decline. That is a great step forward.

      Reply
21. Bing Garcia says:

    June 6, 2015 at 9:02 pm

    “If we cannot live sustainably with 7.2 billion people, how are we going to support billions more by the end of this century?” he said, noting that the global demand for food had been projected to rise by 70 to 100 percent in the next 40 years. Population Media Center president William Ryerson

    Reply
22. Mariano Renato Pacifico says:

    June 6, 2015 at 10:33 pm

    SOMEBODY GOTTA SAVE GRACE POE FROM HERSELF ….

    http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/696620/grace-poe-im-not-salivating-over-presidency

    On top of HURT by FRIENDS asking if she had the residency and citizenship to run for PRESIDENT …. again she told the Filipinos SHE IS NOT SALIVATING FOR PRESIDENCY.

    It means ….

    She is not salivating for Presidency
    She is not salivating to lead the FILIPINOS
    Therefore, GRACE POE IS SAYING, FILIPINOS ARE NOT WORTHY TO DIE FOR.

    This is her second faux pas.

    Actually, Grace Poe is speaking like a Filipino should. NOT SALIVATING FOR PRESIDENCY IS HER PRIDE TALKING or is it IGNORANCE?

    Reply
23. jcc says:

    June 6, 2015 at 10:38 pm

    Joeam, You don’t know Philippine politics. Jose P. Laurel and Ferdinand Marcos have criminal past but they were both elected Presidents of the country…. Or let me be current, GMA and Erap.

    Reply
    • Mariano Renato Pacifico says:

      June 6, 2015 at 10:42 pm

      It is not the people’s fault. It is Philippine Media’s fault. Philippine Media gift-wrapped, repacked and sold Laurel Marcos GMA Erap and BTHE BINAYS !!!

      100,000,000 Filipinos cannot know what they have done. Only the Philippne Media could have informed them. Instead …….

      Reply
    • mercedes santos says:

      June 6, 2015 at 10:55 pm

      JCC you are a breath of much needed FRESH air ☀

      Reply
    • Juana Pilipinas says:

      June 7, 2015 at 2:24 am

      Welcome back, jcc.

      You are right about the dirty underbelly of PI politics.

      Is it the culture of forgiveness or forgetfulness that puts these crooked people in office? What is your take on why we have difficulty getting rid of THIS issue?

      Reply
    • LCpl_X (@LCpl_X) says:

      June 7, 2015 at 5:00 am

      jcc, MRP, mercedes, Juana, et al.

      I got this from sonny, https://joeam.com/2015/05/21/a-filipino-aclu-and-lawyering-in-the-philippines/#comment-123406

      it’s from the Atlantic, article by James Fallows, published Nov. 1987, titled “A Damaged Culture: A New Philippines?”: http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/1987/11/a-damaged-culture-a-new-philippines/7414/

      Almost 30 yrs old, seems like it was written only yesterday.

      Reply
      • Juana Pilipinas says:

        June 7, 2015 at 10:31 am

        Thank you, sonny and also to you, LCpl_X. That is one enlightening read.

        Yes, you are right. Its relevance today could not be denied.

        Case in point, this paragraph struck me like lightning:

        “On many street corners in downtown Manila an unwary step can mean a broken leg. Holes two feet square and five feet deep lurk just beyond the curb; they are supposed to be covered by metal grates, but scavengers have taken the grates to sell for scrap.”

        Why? Just a week or so ago, I read about the light rail transit derailing because someone stole some of the rails.

        So sad, but it’s reality in PI. Then and now.

        Reply
    • Joe America says:

      June 7, 2015 at 6:07 am

      I didn’t know Laurel. But the point is not accepting the past as the best way for the future.

      Reply
      • jcc says:

        June 7, 2015 at 8:58 pm

        Joeam, it seems that distinguishing the past and future is a big challenge to the Pinoys.

        Reply
    • karl garcia says:

      June 7, 2015 at 8:45 am

      Laurel was selected not elected. I get your point,but learning from mistakes must happen soon.Otherwise, we are really slow learners.

      Reply
    • Bert says:

      June 7, 2015 at 12:01 pm

      jcc, I’m glad to see you here, really glad, Manoy. But reading the responses to your comment gave me that eerie feeling that I’m back to reading GRP. Glad that Joe and karl, as were their usual patriotic fervor, woke me up from my stupor.

      Reply
      • jcc says:

        June 7, 2015 at 8:56 pm

        I’m glad too, Bert to see you here.

        Reply
    • jameboy says:

      June 8, 2015 at 1:32 pm

      Jose P. Laurel and Ferdinand Marcos have criminal past but they were both elected Presidents of the country…. Or let me be current, GMA and Erap.
      ========
      GMA and Erap have criminal past before they got elected for the presidency? Were they acquitted too just like Marcos in the Nalundasan case? 👳

      Reply
      • jcc says:

        June 8, 2015 at 10:04 pm

        With regards to GMA and ERAP only criminal propensities, not criminal past prior to their being President.

        Reply
24. NHerrera says:

    June 6, 2015 at 11:16 pm

    I just read one of those in your Must Read list — President Aguino’s speech at the Japanese Diet.

    No doubt that speech was crafted and polished by both him and his able Cabinet, particularly the DFA Secretary, but I can feel the spirit and tone of the President behind the speech. Among others, the speech gave a brief on the history of Japan and the values embedded in its evolution. Putting myself in the shoes of those Japanese at the Diet, I cannot help but be touched. Hence the deserved standing ovation that they gave our President. Of course, I was touched too.

    Reply
    • Joe America says:

      June 7, 2015 at 6:12 am

      Me, too. I worked directly for Japanese executives 13 years. We often think of the Japanese as hard-working and practical. Which they are. But they are also emotional, and place high value on granting honor to others. President Aquino granted honor to his audience. And he took the troubles of the past to translate them into a special strength in the relationship for today. It was a terrific speech.

      Reply
25. giancarloangulo says:

    June 7, 2015 at 2:38 am

    Jon Stewart once said: “If you don’t stick to your values when they’re being tested, they’re not values: they’re hobbies.”

    Reply
    • Joe America says:

      June 7, 2015 at 6:15 am

      That’s very good.

      Reply
26. Bing Garcia says:

    June 7, 2015 at 12:03 pm

    The win-win solution, retired Chief Justice Reynato Puno said, is to convene a constitutional convention where all the issues can be threshed out and the constitutional framework can be established for the kind of government envisioned for Muslim Mindanao.

    “It’s a case of priorities,” he said, listing poverty, corruption, political dynasties, inequality of economic power, elections as among those things that constitutional reform hopes to change.

    Reply
    • Joe America says:

      June 7, 2015 at 1:55 pm

      I have the feeling that revising the Constitution gives the illusion of progress, but it is just more arguing whilst those important things that could be done under the existing framework do not get done.

      Reply
27. Juana Pilipinas says:

    June 7, 2015 at 9:16 pm

    Interesting write up by a motivational speaker. If you keep on reading till he gets to the habits, a lot of them are universal:

    http://richhabits.net/will-your-child-be-rich-or-poor/

    Reply
28. Johnny Lin says:

    June 9, 2015 at 7:40 am

    “Hijacked” might be misattributed as descriptive word to Binay’s proclivity to abusive behavior leading to corrupt ways and earning money.

    “Prostituted” might be appropriate, meaning “offering something in exchange for receiving money or personal gain.

    Follow the pattern:
    Sisterhood of Cities: – ideally, One city from a progressive country partnering with a economically struggling city from a developing country, the former financially supporting the latter without returns of any kind. But Binay manipulated the system by partnering with every corrupt town mayor in every provinces fomenting corruption. Source of corruption is cash outlay from Makati treasurer office. Makati does not use ATM or checks for payrolls or assistance disbursement. Imagine the cash output with many cash assistance to sister cities, towns and Batangas, aside from the overpriced Makati Friendship hotel, used for free by town officials of sisterhood.

    Boys Scout of the Philippines – ideally, BSP is apolitical; presidency is an honor to deserving philanthropist but Binay grabbed its presidency as his forever title leading to corrupt transaction of BSP properties benefitting his bank accounts, personal and political funds.

    Senior Citizens – a group of citizens needing support, assistance care abused by Binay thru Birthday cakes and 500 pesos cash assistance, devised by Binay as source of legitimate income for his children’s corporation.

    Free Education: manipulated by Binay thru Makati Univ as legitimate source of income of his ghost corporations run by his dummies. Profits from the corporations were overinflated to include bribes from overprice Makati buildings.

    Overprice Makati building projects: circumventing the national limits on cost of projects by placing each project in many phases with overprice budget for each phase leading to bribery and money laundering.

    Poor People: he pretends to be caring for the poor by giving cash dole outs and payolas for attending rallies and free funerals but again due to untraceable cash outlay to unknown recipients, program became source of petty corruption to his political allies, relatives and friends.

    Lately, Binay’s eagerness to become president leading to destruction to everything and anyone along his path, is thru prostitution of the word “AMPON”

    He released his attack dogs to malign Grace Poe by questioning her citizenship and residency. His crazy wolves, Tiangco and Bautista resurrected “Foundling” issue of Grace. When the sinister motive of Binay backfired he unleashed his daughter Abby to soften the issue, at the same time claiming that he too was “AMPON” during his childhood. His orphan background was very much different from Grace and is trying to gain sympathy by prostituting the word. Binay knew and grew up with parents until they died, unlike Poe. He was NEVER legally adopted by his uncle unlike Poe.

    Binay disgraced “Legal Adoption” with his false claim.

    Binay was not literally or typically an “AMPON”. He was an “ARUGA” Binay was taken “cared of” by his uncle upon becoming an orphan (Inaruga Siya ng Tiyo nung maulila)! Magkaiba ang nilalaman ng ARUGA at AMPON,

    Prostitution of respected institutions including the word AMPON for personal gain is a trademark IMMORALLY perfected by Binay.

    Reply
    • Joe America says:

      June 9, 2015 at 8:04 am

      Great to hear from you, Johnny. Yes, prostitution is a better word, as you have outlined in impeccable form and style. “Prostituting the Philippines” by Jejomar Binay. The thing that amazes me is that we can crystallize this scheming, dirty play so clearly, yet the moral and ethical foundation of the Philippines is so weak that others just duck their heads. 625 sister cities, each mayor or governor willing to sell his city to Makati for personal gain.

      If Congress had any ethical fiber whatsoever, a law would be passed declaring such arrangements illegal, as gift-giving to public officials is illegal. Dream on.

      Reply
29. wjarko says:

    June 11, 2015 at 11:08 am

    My professors in college have known of the Sister’s cities program for years.
    They say it has always been Jojo Binay’s dream to be president, and set the plan in motion the moment he was seated Mayor of Makati. Its a grand intricate scheme, decades in the making.
    It takes a tremendous amount of schemin’, dealin’, and thievin’ to pull something in this proportion and not be legally or morally questioned until now. He searched for holes in the system and blew it wide open. Only he had the guts to even try something like this. He has crawled his way up the ladder and nothin aint stopping him now.

    Next year is make it or break it for Jojo, If he wins he’ll laugh his ass out from the top of the tower where he’ll be standing. If he loses, he’ll probably go insane – all that effort for nothing. Unless one of his kin takes his place.

    Jojo reminds me of Zongda – Sima Yi, the genius strategist who united the Three Kingdoms of China.

    Reply
    • Joe America says:

      June 11, 2015 at 11:44 am

      “and nothin aint stopping him now”. That is Binay’s attitude, but he can be stopped.

      Reply

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