Some Robredo fans are thinking small
Analysis and Opinion
By Joe America
This is Rappler’s headline April 25:
“Dismay over Leni’s endorsements: yes to Pacquiao, Abalos; none for CamSur bets”
This headline was generated by Pinks, Leni Robredo’s alleged support base.
How do you think the masses read the headline?
Do Pinks want to pick nits or win elections?
Big thinking would be to trust Leni Robredo.
Understanding Leni Robredo on the endorsement may be as simple as this headline in Philstar in 2022:
“Pacquiao to seek Comelec OK to send aid to ‘Agaton’-hit communities”
Leni Robredo sees the good in Manny Pacquiao, the boxer who knelt in prayer before every match asking that his opponent not be seriously hurt. Pacquiao, the senator who helped Leni’s neighbors. A friend.
Criticizing Leni Robredo for endorsing Manny Pacquiao is small thinking. It is people criticizing without understanding, without accountability, and with no grasp that criticizing good people puts bad people in office. Why do you think Mar Roxas lost? Because he slipped in the mud and people didn’t like his wife. Absolutely petty criticisms put Duterte in power.
Let me be clear. The critics are on moral high ground. They want their candidates 100% clean, as if fresh-driven snow. Er, clear clean rainwater.
But they apparently don’t care that they are putting Sara Duterte in office.
I laugh first, then I cry.
Here’s what I think about Leni’s endorsement of Manny Pacquiao in short bullet-point form. We can discuss details in the comment section.
- Leni Robredo would be the best President the Philippines has ever had.
- Leni Robredo is high character. See her interviews with Will Villanueva in the tab above.
- Leni Robredo can be trusted completely.
- It is terrific that Leni Robredo continues to take part in national elections rather than retreating to local politics.
- Manny Pacquiao is fundamentally of good of character even if he made mistakes as a senator. He learned and matured during his first term and can help write good laws.
- Manny Pacquiao can bring a sizable part of Mindanao to a good governance political candidate for President.
- Leni Robredo lost in 2020 because she was tactical and not strategic.
- She probably endorsed Pacquiao as a friendship transaction, but it also makes good strategic sense. Mindanao matters.
- Leni Robredo’s voice for good governance will weaken if her own base weakens her.
When will opposition groups ever understand that they need a bigger mass of voters, not all of whom can be pure Pink. It needs left, liberal, center, and right. Clean and not so clean ( eg, the Binays). The only group it does not need is the Duterte base.
Leila de Lima understands. This is her view on the Pacquiao endorsement (English translation): “We know many are asking about and are confused about the decision of VP Leni… There was probably a reason for that decision… On our part, our trust in her is whole.”
Our trust in her is whole. That is what EVERY Pink should be saying. Some of them might have to shrug, thinking about the Pacquiao endorsement. But complaining about it is small thinking and damaging to the good governance slate of candidates.
_________________________
Cover photo from Rappler article “Leni Robredo shuts door to Senate run in 2025“.
The Society of Honor by Joe America 
Hmm.. no comments yet over here? Just to add, the alleged endorsement of Marcoleta by Atty Leni seems to be fake news, people exaggerating the common courtesy a local candidate brings to visiting national candidates.
Not that I find a lot of time to look into the details of the election there anymore, but it is tiring to see people make overly emotional snap judgments based on what seems to be rumors, not balancing right and left sides of the brain correctly.
These uninformed snap judgments might sink the Philippine ship. Anyway, the only rumor I decide to believe is that LCPL_X sang “we ain’t nothing but mammals” in Cebu. And that is because I invented that story myself.
Ha, yes. My latest response, given that I have little information, is to shrug. Maybe she made a mistake. It’s not really a big deal.
ps, a good number of reads but no comments. I can hear the wheels cranking though.
Snap comments, bashing may seem harmless buy has caused suicides, election losses and other big time stuff.
Duterte trolls have bullets for Roxas and Poe and they used it well.
BBM trolls had carry overs from the Duterte trolldom but it is obvious that they channelled their ire at BBM.
Now my speculation that Sara will support Camille Villar is no longer just a hunch Sara’s treasure chest got bigger.
I am not commenting on Pink’s focus priorities or values for now.
That’s fascinating. I’ve been arguing for formation of a coalition and that’s what Sara is doing. She must read here lol.
LCX’s fault. LOL
😂🤣😂🏆
“LCX’s fault. LOL”
I wanted to tell Joe the other day, karl, that Filipinos especially Filipinas like VP Sara are in fact very literary— but am just thankful to not be back in the dog house, so I just agreed. lol.
“And that is because I invented that story myself.”
Ireneo, did you know Goebbels was a PhD in German literature? even had a novel titled Michael. on top of his non-fiction and diaries. maybe he has more novels. i dunno. but fiction gets the point across.
I think more than one thing can be true at once:
1.) Pacquiao is an amazing boxer. As an elected official, he seemed to value touring bouts over the hard work of lawmaking.
2.) Pacquiao is a genuine “man of the people” who has personally helped the marginalized with his own resources. How much more can Pacquiao help by using his star power to push through effective reform legislation which he has not until now? This is where the accusation of Pacquiao’s “laziness” comes from, despite he having an immense work ethic in his professional boxing career.
3.) Pacquiao is a humble man, rising from humble beginnings. One with real humility is still always tempted to make up for self-perceived “shortcomings” by “collecting” accolades, e.g. Pacquiao’s boxing and professional career, his insistence of continuing the bouts circuit, his college degrees of questionable providence, his becoming a PA reservist colonel AND command master sergeant (eh?). There is sometimes a fine line between someone trying to practice humility with megalomania.
4.) Pacquiao can be a moral man. Pacquiao’s 2021 spat with Duterte over the former’s budding misgivings about the “War on Drugs” and Duterte’s lawlessness was an honorable stand. I had expected Pacquiao to come out of that spat on top, but he seemed to be outmaneuvered by Duterte’s camp, becoming somewhat diminished politically. Many Cebuanos (especially in Mindanao) who previously loved Pacquiao took Duterte’s side in that episode. But Pacquiao has also taken controversial stances, most famously his stance against LGBT due to his new-found Born Again faith. When Jesus spoke of the “least of these,” He meant “all” of the marginalized.
5.) Pacquiao has strong words on Philippine sovereignty and is one of the fiercest opponents of the WPS encroachment by PRC. But how can one differentiate between strong words and strong actions? In other statements during the 2021-2022 period, Pacquiao also stated he was open to joint exploration of WPS with the PRC. Seeing as the Philippines does not have the expertise and capability herself to engage in “joint exploration,” this seems like risky to have the PRC as a partner compared to a Western or other Indo-Pacific country.
***
When I still actively practiced martial arts, there were two types of fighters: One who anticipated a few tactical moves of blows ahead of him, and the other who was analyzed the opponent’s qi to create a counter-strategy to both conserve energy and use the opponent’s energy against him. Well, the latter type of fighter usually won matches despite sometimes being physically smaller or weaker. Clearly Pacquiao has more of a tactical mind. I worry that he had over time from his principle concern for the social underclass from which he came from, he has started to develop a hero complex that mistakes his obvious immense skill as a tactician (his prime strength) as being a natural strategist (his possible weakness).
I’m confused like many about Leni’s endorsement of Pacquiao. I have always believed that Pacquiao has the capability and opportunity to use his position for the betterment of the Philippines, but I worry that he had surrounded himself with too many yes-men as time went on, becoming somewhat drunk on a possible hero complex. Perhaps the bruising Pacquiao got after the 2021-2022 period reminded him of his original, genuine, humility. Leni’s move may make more sense come the near future. Pacquiao’s obvious skill as a tactician can may yet be put to use by strategic general.
if 2022 had bruised him badly, pacquiao only has his all time high consuming blind ambition to blame. hadnt he been told at the time it was better for him to not run for president and campaign to support leni instead? of course he did not listen, and now that he is no longer in line for the $20million that top boxing can commend, he is up again raring high on messianic complex. sure, he has help the people of naga during the massive flood and many others did help naga too. but pacquiao was more forthcoming and later ask leni for endorsement, naningil sa utang at pinagbayad si leni, his price mayhap for helping the people of naga. I am saying this because I am not from naga and pacquiao’s help has not reached me. and of course leni would endorse him, but does not mean he will get the votes though. nice for him to try. and nice of leni to be grateful, always.
those high and mighty camsur candidates running for position in the house, if they want leni’s endorsement, they should maybe swallow their bigger egos and stoop low, and ask leni to endorse them. and if they had been previously supportive of leni’s angat buhay program, it is likely leni will endorse them in return. one good turn leads to another. that is how utang na luob in the philippines become habang buhay na pagbabayaran.
anyhow, pacquiao should not be too greedy for more and more votes, he is already in the top ten and is highly presumable of winning. and I am pretty pretty sure, as a born again christian, pacquiao would not mind me being charitable and giving my votes not to him, but to others who would otherwise get zero votes.
“Pacquiao’s obvious skill as a tactician can may yet be put to use by strategic general.”
I gotta feeling VP Leni will (in time) endorse VP Sara. soon. Pacquiao is just the telegraphing of that. and this scares the Pinks. hence the reaction. but its coming. so don’t flinch.
“Leni’s move may make more sense come the near future.”
Like i’ve been saying in my VP Sara series, VP Leni hates PBBM (never Marcos) the only way to defeat PBBM is with VP Sara. she is a strategic genius. Pinks just need to know this, and accept that this is the only way to win. cuz losing means more Marcos.
Pinks need to love winning more than anything now. 2028 is already here.
Not sure how you distilled all that Sara stuff from what I wrote (and have been writing). It does seem that rather than Leni being allegedly “Never Marcos,” you consistently are “Forever Duterte.” Once politics becomes a sport rather than a serious consideration of how it affects one’s life, the life of one’s family, and the world, one can espouse positions against one’s interest. After all, many sports teams that have decades long losing streaks can have dedicated fans.
We know Leni is guided by morals, and we know Marcos Jr. while not the ideal president has appointed more or less competent secretaries.
Question though: Would you share, in broad strokes, how a “second” Duterte administration in Sara would benefit the Philippines when the first was a disaster by most metrics?
Again, I’m like the Lorax here (I speak for the DE’s),
so by their metrics alone the streets were quieted. shabu addicts volunteered themselves in jails (you can verify this with your Cebu contacts) and people who sweep with those stick brooms at dawn didn’t have to sweep much during DU30, cuz night were peaceful. people miss that. criminals behaved themselves becuz the state apparatus flexed. sure (and this is where I was anti-DU30 during my pro-EJK musing here since 2016) bigger fish needed to fry but did not. Oh well, streets were still quieted.
Now to return to VP Leni, I’m agreeing with you that she is in fact very strategic. I’m just saying the logical end of that is endorsing VP Sara, because if VP Leni does not PBBM the Marcoses and pro-Marcoses will win. VP Leni favors VP Sara is all I’m saying , Joey. so you’re correct, this is in fact what VP Leni is doing , I’m just saying the end of that move is VP Sara (which Pinks have not begun to imagine): “and the other who was analyzed the opponent’s qi to create a counter-strategy to both conserve energy and use the opponent’s energy against him.”
Or is your counter that VP Leni will in the end endorse PBBM’s choice over VP Sara in 2028? becuz to me, VP Leni would never be able to stomach that (not ever). but can in fact stomach VP Sara. But i’ll be open to your why VP Leni is now pro-PBBM argument. That, i’d like to hear more of, Joey tbh.
As I alluded, you’re seeing Philippine politics as a team sport rather than what ultimately benefits the Philippines. Once one becomes a fan of a name, one cannot see the critical faults that are apparent to others. If you care about the Philippines, you should be fan of the Philippines, not a fan of the name of a dynasty.
I can at the same time say that Marcos Jr. is not the ideal president but he has appointed mostly competent advisors. Does Marcos Jr. have personal motives? Sure, he wants to redeem his family name. What a better way to do just that than to leave the Philippines in a better place than he started with.
All good, but how are you seeing VP Leni going pro-PBBM in 2028, instead of pro-VP Sara. this to me is an easy lay up. you’ve outlined how VP Leni is a strategist, I agreed. yet you’re diverging form your own insight. I’d like to see you play it all out step by step per your analogy of the two fighters above.
I tend to form coherent thought, so I rarely diverge. I’m not willing to entertain your tangents here until my original question is answered.
“Would you share, in broad strokes, how a “second” Duterte administration in Sara would benefit the Philippines when the first was a disaster by most metrics?”
Oh, my bad.
It would bring back quiet streets and then some. that “then some” being in the form of Starlink and more internet connection all over the Philippines (per what she did in Dept of Education). that seems to be her focus. but for sure she’ll wield the military and police like her dad, but with more lessons learned. thus quieter streets.
Now do VP Leni as pro-PBBM. please.
If the streets in the Philippines are quiet, it would no longer have Filipino charm.
I recently had a discussion about gahum with Cebuano friends. I observed that it seems too often, gahum has been misused. Gahum is not something showboated, as in wielding the force of the military and police, but something given freely by the people to the datu or rajah. One who has true gahum needs not claim to have gahum or make overt displays of power — it is just known. Now in Greek mythology and philosophy there is a concept of “nemesis.” Nemesis is the divine retribution against those who have hubris. Such a fate befalls would-be tyrants as no tyrant holds power forever.
Regarding Leni being pro-Marcos Jr., I believe Leni is pro-Philippines, not pro-one man or pro-one name. This is the critical mistake Dutertistas make and project onto others. Once the Dutertes are vanquished from power, the movement dies. But those Filipinos who are pro-Philippines will live on.
All good. but we both know VP Leni will have to choose PBBM or VP Sara– you’re tap dancing now. i think because you know strategically speaking, VP Leni will have to throw in with VP Sara.
VP Leni know this. you and I know this. TSOH mostly knows this. cept for the Pinks. why I dunno.
As to Nemesis, Nemesis and Tyche are balance, Gods favor vs. fairness. not hubris per se that whomever was favored (too much) by the Gods got taken down a notch or two (or more). thats the purpose of Nemesis. ergo Nemesis is pro-DE whilst Tyche (Fortune) is all for AB (C).
Exactly how votes in the Philippines play out. divine retribution.
( Though I don’t know the Roman equivalent of Nemesis ).
My guess (as opposed to your guess which is not knowledge) is that Robredo will not endorse Sara Duterte because of Sara’s accounting shenanigans, impeachment fall-out, divisions it would create in Leni’s base, and Duterte pro-China policies. You are promoting a conspiracy theory, flat earth politics, that is specious at best and complete nonsense by my calculations. They will remain friends in courtesy unless Sara attacks Leni like the raging bulldog she seems to be if provoked.
Well if your definition of success is the abrogation of the Due Process, ruling instead with lawlessness and fear rather than the Rule of Law, I don’t know what to say. Between 2016-2022 there was a reason why cops and criminals acting as “vigilantes” felt they had impunity to act as the judge, jury, and executioner — the Chief Lawman was lawless himself. The marginalized DEs you say you speak for cowered, afraid to be fingered for drugs and murdered regardless of guilt, while the big time drug pushers conveniently “got away.”
I mean we don’t have talk theory here, Joey. you have contacts in Cebu, simply ask if jails were filled at capacity during DU30’s time (with many volunteering to go in ’em) and then extrapolate quiet in the streets from that.
A great many DE’s weren’t involved in drugs/crimes, but they voted for DU30, and by so doing, their neighborhoods quieted for it. That’s what DE’s remember about DU30. Results.
Were there collateral damage, sure. I’m not saying it was all hanky dory, but my point is the streets were quieted under DU30. why didn’t due process ever do that? So to quote many DE’s they’d say , Joey, you can’t eat Due Process.
Essentially the Philippines is Missouri , eg. Show Me. and that’s what DU30 did.
But lets talk more on VP Leni being pro-PBBM. that one i’d like to hear more of. Joey. i’ve already had these pro-DU30 arguments. I’d like to have the VP Leni as pro-PBBM argument. that’s new.
Well it is certainly eye opening that you seem to be espousing lawlessness here.
No need for me to ask anyone in Cebu — I was there among the DE during that time period and know their real stories rather than a story imposed upon them.
Okay. so were the jails filled at capacity or not? Y/N.
It is easy to fill jails when there is no due process. And no Filipinos are saying “can’t eat due process.” That is a recent MAGA talking point to excuse the behavior of Trump 2.0’s lawlessness. Let’s not conflate irrelevant tangents onto completely different situations.
there’s no due process in the Philippines, Joey. what am getting at here is simple. Was there results. don’t be pilosopo, the jails were filled (mostly with folks volunteering to go, unheard of) thus streets quiet. that is how DU30 is remembered thus whats propelling VP Sara. now and to 2028.
VP Leni as genius strategist is taken all this into account.
I’ve probably been to the Philippines many more times than you have, and know Cebu better than most, spending nearly all my time with the poor *that I know* rather than the ones only exist in imagination.
I’m disappointed that you are espousing a position that the law doesn’t matter. If the law doesn’t matter then *civil* politics doesn’t matter, and there might as well have warlordism again.
Well it seems you enjoy trying to antagonize me, this time by calling me pilosopo (do you even know what pilosopo means?). You called me passive aggressive last time, and here I will say directly that until you stop with the constant nonsense I will not engage with you. There are two people who consistently take the time to reply to you here. Now there’s one less person.
That is indeed the best approach.
“I’m disappointed that you are espousing a position that the law doesn’t matter.”
I’m not espousing it, Joey. DE Filipinos know this to be true.
As to pilosopo, I learnt it from Ireneo (now the only person that takes the time to reply to me) and I’ve always understood it as someone who gets creative at answering— which isn’t in and of itself bad. i like creative.
but in this case its the fact that you won’t commit to VP Leni being pro-PBBM though you’re hinting it in your original comment. thus pilosopo = tap dancing. again more descriptive than anything.
if theres more cultural nuance, then on top of what Ireneo has covered, i’m not familiar with it. only that its associated with creativity in answers.
So stop trolling him already. Your GOOJC is revokable.
Okay. Joey.
Let put it in another way… if VP Leni throws in with PBBM, how is that winning (for her)? think strategy.
I’ll answer because Joey has said he doesn’t want to respond to your nonsense. Leni is pro-Philippines. Marcos is working diligently on behalf of the Philippines. They share policy ideals probably at the 90% level. It is a natural partnership. The main problem is the Marcos hate that drives many older Filipinos, based on their family struggles.
That’s key. Pinks have to place winning above moral and operational perfection.
I’m totally convinced that although she may not be a good politician (per Philippine standard), she’s a genius strategist. We all see it. why can’t Pinks.
Pinks are moral, Sara is amoral, you are amoral.
“You are promoting a conspiracy theory, flat earth politics, that is specious at best and complete nonsense by my calculations.”
It’s not complete nonsense as theres only really 3 ways to go, go with PBBM; go with VP Sara; go with her own opposition (direct or indirectly, but seems a DOA proposition as of now) or (actually 4 then) not go at all.
I agree with you Pinks are moral (too moral for their own good, and we both agree on that). But as Joey has indicated VP Leni is a grand strategist and am also now seeing this per her moves. she’s really making money moves, Joe.
“They share policy ideals probably at the 90% level. “
I’d agree that both PBBM and VP Leni are polished. but I don’t agree that they share policies. the two are very different. one represents AB interests; VP Leni is DE (and C) interests. PBBM i think will relive his dad’s playbook and will set up for another martial law. PBBM is a pawn, he can’t tie his own shoes.
But VP Leni and VP Sara do share DE(C) interests, VP Sara is just unpolished, but you can tell VP Sara no pawn as you can tell VP Leni is no pawn. that’s why i ship ’em and will continue to do so.
Those two are 90% sharing.
So if you subtract, a Pink or Yellow opposition (as you’ve written) then also subtract just sitting out national politics all together. Theres only really 2 choices to make. and for the life of me, I cannot see her endorse PBBM/Marcoses et al against VP Sara.
If we all agree that VP Leni is a grand strategist, there’s truly only VP Sara, that or get started with Pink/Yellow opposition to both (as you’ve written), but never never NEVER going pro-PBBM.
So its not none sense. Joe. is my point. as those are the only possible moves available to her. but like I said, flush out the VP Leni and pro-PBBM possibility. then determine whats more none sense. that’s the way to go. sure things will be clearer after elections, but
I think if you or Joey or whomever can flush out this idealized VP Leni and PBBM team up, it would really be fruitful.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umwelt
consider also that vis a vis VP Leni as grand strategist. what does she sense that we (in the gallery or as audience) don’t.
And whats the logical end of her being a grand strategist?
I’m not going down rabbit holes. Snakes live there after they eat the rabbits. Kindly don’t argue the point.
I agree fully KB with everything except one caveat — Pacquiao like any human has the capacity for redemption from his realized mistakes, and if he can assist in the betterment of the Philippines then all the better. There somehow needs to be a movement, movement progressivism in a sense for the Philippines to progress from constant staggered steps forward, then backwards. I’m still convinced Angat Buhay can be transformed into a vehicle for such a movement, and if the NGO doesn’t, then well it still would’ve done plenty good.
What I’m watching for in Pacquiao is whether or not he has humbled himself again and recalled his beginnings on the streets struggling to provide for his family back home in Gensan. I had met Pacquiao years ago at a match when he was relatively unknown in the US. I was moved by his humility then. Such simple roots are nothing to be ashamed of, and can be a source of strength and grounding one’s character. I have a feeling those hangers-on so prevalent around the powerful in the Philippines did Pacquiao a disservice. If Pacquiao is willing to play his part even if he doesn’t become president, he would leave a positive legacy when it comes to making the Philippines a better place for the marginalized Filipinos that I think he still so clearly cares for.
ahem, the boxer dont really want to be kingmaker, he wants to be king. and he will always play the poor card, the charitable, the generous card, the anti corruption card, more so during election. methink, he has previously been given so many chances at redemption and squander most of them. if he is reformed, god heavens, that would depend on who is/are around him, egging him on. he is an amplifier and partial to their praises, feigned or not. but that’s just me talking and I am ever so glad pinks dont vote in bloc. and leni is not iglesia ni kristo’s manalo.
oh, I am utterly utterly sure pacquiao is a very good man, the best around, the king of the pack albeit the homophobe can be the humblest in existence if that serves his purpose, but my purpose is not vote for him. my one vote will not be missed, just the one vote against the millions already rooting for him, voting for him.
thanks for your caveat, I prefer cravats though, easy to convert into slingshots! I could down an election poster or two.
I share the same concerns about Pacquiao. He seemed to have developed a hero complex over time. I also think that his luster lost a bit of its shine as the years went by compared to when he first burst on the scene because he relied more and more on his PR team. The PR team probably had a hand in building that hero complex. Pacquiao is much more effective when he is his authentic self. For now perhaps we should see this development of Leni’s endorsement with cautious optimism and see how it goes. Every Philippines election always seems like the “wildest” election. Well, perhaps that’s part of the Philippines charm, hehe.
T’was really sad indeed that Mr. Pacquiao took Tatay Digong’s “bola” literally . Utoin pala.
“I asked permission from President-to-be Manny Pacquiao. Ako, nagbitaw na ako ng salita, oo, klaro na ’yan (I already said my piece. It’s clear),” the president said, drawing applause from the audience.
aba, his tatay digong has given him all time gahum! made pacquiao summat untouchable too and deflected criticism off him. then he fell in with harry roque and with his new found gahum, had good-est of time they had slagging de lima. already pacquiao performance as congressman is mind boggling undesirable, and being absent often is modus. and when he humbly asked for 2nd chance, saying he will do better next time, voters complied and elected him senator. then as senator, he summat fall in with gordon and his campaign vs delima is renewed with much vigor. probly to the delight of his tatay digong. and then later in 2022 under president marcos when it become trendy to exonerate de lime, nagcambio si pacquiao, but damage has been done.
and now pacquiao wants to be senator again!
Superb assessment. 100% spot on. Leni Robredo is gracious. She likely grasps all that you’ve said, is thankful for Pacquiao’s tangible storm assistance in the Bicol region (spirit of Angat Buhay), and the endorsement had no political purpose.
Hopefully what Leni can teach other potential Filipino leaders is that a leader should be selfless regardless of outcome. There is a tendency in the Philippines for leaders to try to make their own power, forgetting that in more ancient times the leader was given their power by the people so long as the leader cared for the collective well-being. From years of observing Filipino culture, I still believe the everlasting spirit of banyanihan is much stronger than the temporary power of singular individuals. In Cebuano and Ilonggo there is a similar concept, dagyaw, which originates from the practice in the province of the community coming together to build something for the benefit of all.
That’s an excellent attribute, modeling selfless, and I share your hope that it becomes more common. I’ve linked your longer comment on Pacquiao on FB so it can get some reads. I’ll also promote this “selfless” point of view in my remarks elsewhere. Thanks for the ideas.
No problem Joe. I’d take this development with cautious optimism. Philippines elections are always the “wildest” election, every single time, and we are all invited along for the ride haha.
yes, we do have one of the wildest election, already candidates are dying, shot before polling day. anyone voting for dead candidates, comelec has rule for it, since it is summat too late to reprint ballots sans name of dead candidates. and if the dead candidate got elected due to sympathy votes being overwhelming, well, comelec just have to act fast before chaos sets in. or there will be more shootings.
off side lang po ito: already chinese malingerers have been caught near polling precincts with spy gadgets seen in the boot of their cars. comelec is too quick to say the gadgets have not done harm, could not do harm, and no harm will come out of it. the gadgets looks like massive jammers to me, cannot rule out routers too. if left alone, them gadgets can easily reroute or highjack ballots already counted and slot in bad data with maybe higher than usual tally of ballots of pro chinese candidates slated to win election by landslide. god knows, the chinese do have the better gadget these days. things we can only dream about.
apparently the chinese caught near the precincts were tourists and dont have any knowledge the cars they were in have suspicious looking gadgets in the boot. ahem, this close to polling day, the chinese must find polling precincts to be suddenly tourist attraction, the view of long lines of people queuing under the hot sun must be heavenly, haha.
Can you please unblock me in Twitter (X)
It seems you run a porn operation on X, which is rather amusing, but off topic for this blog. I blocked you.
Mistaken identify definitely not me i am MKTYO on twitter
Ah, okay, let me unblock you then.
https://mb.com.ph/2025/4/29/japan-to-cooperate-with-ph-for-its-upper-middle-income-goal-pm-ishiba one thing Marcos Jr. has in common with PNoy aside from the US alliance is close partnership with Japan.
Makes sense that Atty Leni works together with someone with whom she has significant common ground. Yes, de facto, I think she is working with PBBM, but she can’t make that alliance official. Many Pinks would howl.
here’s Grok’s take, Ireneo:
That Tulfo move is also interesting tbh.
Joe, I just realized I can totally write blogs in Tagalog now, can I continue the VP Sara/VP Leni blogs but in Tagalog? maybe add in this pro-PBBM and VP Leni possibility? to explore?
No, I’m not interested in AI blogs or conspiracy theories.
Interesting that Grok did not consider the impact of impeachment or potential ICC charges on Sara Duterte. I personally think Robredo aligning with Sara Duterte is less likely than aligning with President Marcos. Her base would go nuts about Duterte, but not Marcos if it were his nitiative. But it’s all conspiracy theories lacking any evidence whatsoever. Will should interview her and ask her.
Grok did consider both, Joe. Though was not included in the Conclusion. the above is just conclusion. it weighed out a lot of stuff prior. really impressive.
ps— the above isn’t an AI product per se, more like 20% cuz I kept prodding it to do this and that. thus 80% was all me. first i told it to analyze the two articles then asked it to conclude using dialogue format, then just kept on prodding it, until it generated the above dialogue, then I told it to translate. to verify translation i copy pasted in Google translate. and got the original English from Grok. (either way its interesting how it can create something original and funny, possibilities are endless like gian’s AI generated short films idea).
That is probably true and might help drive policy development say on tariffs or sex education. But prodding it on political scenarios seems to be rabbit holing.
I’m not inclined to speculate as I’ve seen no indication that Robredo has anything to do with national government at all. People campaigning visit her to pick up some shine. I’d love to be the fly on President Marcos’ wall that gets hints as to who he will recommend as successor. I think he could drive a unification with Robredo whereas Leni could not. But that seems a stretch. I’m guessing he has two primary people guiding him, ExecSec Bersamin and his wife. They don’t babble in public so who knows.
oh, yes, I would like to see that too, in three years from now, who pbbm will recommend as successor to the presidency and leave the country in good hands. leni robredo would be tops, all others are just white noises. the ball is on pbbm, it must be him, he must initiate it, if indeed he can hurdle the politics of the day. if he can bridge the chasm, if he has the courage to do it, but as his father already said pbbm has good muscle coordination, he can make the stride. and he has already made several good strides, he just have to make it further still. and damn all. his party will probly call him the worst traitor in existence, but they’ll get round to it. they just need a very good rational explaining why it must be leni and not pacquiao, not tulfo, not romualdez, not sara duterte, or bong go.
if pbbm can form a coalition with leni, and if leni is amenable to it, the country would be most grateful. would the pink? would the pbbm greens, would the rest of the country? few kinks but not too insurmountable to iron out.
“who pbbm will recommend as successor to the presidency and leave the country in good hands. leni robredo would be tops, “
I thought VP Leni was done with national politics? is there indications she’s actually jockeying for President in 2028?
you are welcome to your thoughts, thanks.
Yes, that’s my take, too.
I like your linkage between PNoy & Japan; also between Atty Leni & Japan thru PNoy.
The Aquinos have long-time bias towards Japanese culture (discipline, “masinop” sa execution of principle); Atty Leni carries the devotional character of the Bicol region, the tempered rationality due to her UP background and moderation due to exposure to the Benedictine way of life at San Beda U.
Change of subject, Irineo. Did you see the uptick in reads and visits on this article? Two factors are driving it. (1) posting on Facebook, and (2) posting Joey’s comment on Pacquiao there which go over 100 likes. It is clear there is a readership for politics but not intellectual subjects, and people appreciate new perspectives like Joey delivered on Pacquiao. Interestingly enough, no one commented among the many visitors.
I think this is promising. It points to a path for regenerating readership.
This is good news.
I think it has always been that way – that most people see incidents, not concepts, and at most incidents that illustrate concepts. Thus, Andrew Lim’s article below is abstract, while the Leni-Pacquiao matter is concrete.
I have always seen the intellectual stuff as “by writers for writers” here and for some regulars, maybe trying to give us all guideposts and landmarks in the Philippine jungle. The broad public needs real-life examples to illustrate concepts. The more immediate, the better, as the conceptual education in the Philippines never was that strong. My perspective is abstract and informed by the past more than the present even as I try to catch up. Joey is informed by the present, AND unlike many Filipinos, he is willing to talk about it.
Writers for writers, fairly accurate among the contributors. But there is, or was, a huge base of readers who are themselves not writers. Or if in public office, not in the position to write. That’s why I am encouraged by the uptick of readers for the last article. I damaged the blog by dropping off of Facebook, if readership is a goal. I’d peg the FB crowd as people in their 40s to 60s, +/-. I have no idea how to reach young people as video is not my bag.
(I’m not sure if I have the following opinion or brainfart put out correctly, as I am slightly ill, try to read then digest what I understood.)
What I see now are either those who see the world in black or white, choosing one side and sticking with it for the sake of purity — these are the people who want their candidates and politicians to be “pure” or “loyal” to a specific set of principles, whether high moral idealism (i.e. Espiritu, Bello) or possessing questionable interests (Go, Bato, Padilla). The ideological factions also happen to be either reading epic stories of taking up arms, overthrowing decadent tyrannies and constructing new utopias… or watching traditional action movies — of FPJ, Lito Lapid, Rudy Fernandez, etc. — whereupon the heroes go up against powerful villains to resolve injustices where the courts and the law have failed, that also have the same sharp moral contrasts.
And then those who view things in shades of gray, meaning they know all too well that anyone engages in politics understand the intricacies of it, the application of pragmatism in that there are complex allegiances, some sacrifices to be made in order to obtain small gains, and careful diplomacy.
Unfortunately, most people who have turned politics into something like team sports have yet to understand how pragmatism works in that we have to put up with the lesser evil in the face of combating a greater evil, in this case, a Duterte restoration.
That’s the problem plainly stated.
this is so f- – – – d up to my way of thinking. vp sara who cannot be trusted with the government when pbbm goes abroad these days that he has to leave the running of the govt to bersamin et al, has summat misunderstood the spirit of labor day.
https://mb.com.ph/2025/5/1/vp-sara-to-filipino-workers-remain-strong-patient-determined-amid-challenges
remain strong filipino workers! ayan may utos na naman ni sara. a summat useless utos, what workers mostly want are livable wage, affordable cost of living and better working conditions, and not more wordy diyareya. how can filipino workers remain strong kung gutom sila, their electricity bills and water bills are climbing higher and higher and money is tight. remain strong, yeah right, work hard and pay their taxes so sara can still be paid wages kahit wala sa opisina, having resigned from the admin.
if she can match pbbm’s 20 pesos per kilo of rice, workers would be more grateful. since cheap rice is already pbbm’s domain, sara really ought to match him pronto by endeavoring to lower the prices of electricity and water instead of forever going to and from the hague that she is fast becoming a flight crew.
Haha, I can feel the love burning in your heart, k! I agree she is the most infuriating, obsequious person in the Philippines. LCX goes all mushy for her and I figure it’s how some kids like to play with worms.
As we and others have observed, there is a team sports feel and fandom when it comes to politics in the Philippines. I believe this mostly delves from low information diets combined with tribalism. As the old “Big Three” broadcast news networks in the US lost viewership to cable TV starting in the 1970s, many Americans like many Filipinos also became low information voters fractured by blind tribalism.
Where the Dutertes have most sympathy are among Cebuanos (to differentiate from other “Bisaya” groups). The more metropolitan Cebuanos in Cebu are starting to feel unease. The Mindanaoan Cebuanos, especially in more rural provinces, are still strong supporters online though not in the streets. The most common rationale I see and hear is “Duterte is Bisaya” and that’s the singular reason for support — feeling like a Bisaya was finally able to ascend to the top (never mind Osmeña I guess) and that Bisaya people are no longer “disrespected.” When the Dutertes face accountability, quite a few Mindanaoan Cebuanos personalize those actions as if personal slights upon their own person.
Sometimes feeling like being part of a team and fandom veers into cult-like territory. In previous eras we had homogeneity in religion, ethnicity, and/or civic creed so it was easier for people to gravitate towards the common humanity that hold us together. Now people can just “join another team” that reinforces their own beliefs. I still happen to believe that fundamentally most people are good, and that when we can weave a story of how our goodness binds us, how our differences compliment each other, and our parts working together strengthens our whole.
That makes a lot of sense, illustrating how the well-being of the Philippines in an intellectual sense takes a back seat to individuals’ emotionality.
Emotions are a more base instinct whereas reason is a learned behavior — therein lies the difficult political proposition. But just as the emotionality of humans is capable of callousness and cruelty (as long as they themselves don’t get affected), humans are also capable of great altruism and collective work towards the greater good. I think it just depends on the effectiveness of the messaging. Lies are simple enough to message, and excuses can be changed and exchanged to distract people. It is much harder to message the need for togetherness to build abundance, especially when there are many liars spreading fear and feelings of scarcity.
Technocrats while being capable administrators, don’t help much here. That was Roxas’ fundamental problem. Robredo is an effective communicator, but she lacked the infrastructure at the time to spread the message. So there seems to be a need to build that infrastructure for the force of good. Perhaps something on the level of FDR or JFK. I had a look at Angat Buhay’s socials the other day and was a bit disappointed that the NGO has not posted on Twitter for years, and has no presence on Bluesky. Angat Buhay is quite active on Facebook though. Facebook is still where the Filipino “national conversation” takes place largely, as well as TikTok. Employing a team of young, effective and consistent messengers would be logical to combat the disinformation spread by an army of faceless propaganda accounts.
Ah, campaign infrastructure! What a great way to express what Pinks/Yellows need to do to get past the emotional barriers. I’ll put this into an article. Thanks!
Not just a campaign infrastructure during election season, but a permanent infrastructure with off-year presence. The dynasty forces and the Duterte Nexus has this, while LP is still in the wilderness and Pinks are directionless. If my read on modern political history informs, without direction perhaps a large portion of Pinks will eventually become reactionaries which is what happened to quite a few EDSA supporters. The energy is there. It needs to be harnessed. Lack of money is a legitimate excuse, but that’s where organizing with effective messengers come in. Every movement starts with no money. Every movement starts with sustained volunteerism by those who believe in the message.
Yes. Good points.
Angat Buhay has young volunteers, but I don’t know how many are on their socmed team. Having been a socmed admin for a pro-Leni group abroad in 2022, I know how frustrating it is if one doesn’t get enough material to spread around or if the material is weak.
Angat Buhay only started sharing more on FB starting in 2022, so even many Pinks back then didn’t freaking know what all that was about. For real, I was in GCs where such questions were asked. Stuff is better nowadays but still needs improvement.
I can truly understand the frustrations, sure we did hit the ground running, but the playing field is never equal. and it all boils down to money: funding, though the spirit and the fire in the belly is already there. the spark plugs are there too, and they only need the kick staring that is visibility. and you can only get visibility if you are like sara duterte who you can surely afford the visibility bidding war. to be highly visible, forever in the news, both online and on the airwaves, in cyberspace too. she must have paid bigger bucks to pay for utmost visibility, probly paying newscasters, journalists and media influencers too for them to give her the front lines monopoly, kahit anong klasend drama may substance man o wala, angdyan siya palagi, laging news, laging headlines, sara this and sara that. rarely anyone can match her high visibility.
we may have the materials but cannot push those materials out to the front lines, we dont have the carriers, else we have to do the impossible and outbid sara. so, in our own little ways, we are like guerillas, hit here and there, the hit may not be sustainable, no funds to keep it forever going, no funds to buy prime time space allotted for the purpose, journalists are not interested in pro bono work, and media houses are not charities.
all is not lost though, we have elections and voters can hit back, take from sara what she has taken from them, their dignity. dont give sara et al the votes, dont give them anymore access to the kaban ng bayan, else there will be many more mary grace piattos.
Almost all the Cebu-based Pinks I know are still in their coping phase, nearly 3 years later, and have become more passive watchers. It’s much different from here in the US where after the utter defeatism the American Left felt last year’s election, people are starting to galvanize again with it seems weekly mass protests (which are growing; above 3 million Americans per week at this point). Of course, on both sides of the Pacific there are those who just shout into the online ether “do something!” while not deigning to lift a finger themselves to do their part. I would just discount those people altogether as they are likely to be more economically and socially comfortable and are acting in a nihilistic manner.
Aside from cultural distances (Filipinos are more passive), what seems to help quite a bit in the US there is a core of political messengers who were not fully utilized in the last election, but due to the void in leadership are now in an elevated position. These messengers not only break down hard concepts into an easier to digest way that comes across authentically, but are the organizers of action and protests. A lot of these organizations are entirely grassroots. There is a hunger for belonging and fellowship and that lacking can be a powerful force to harness for positive effect. It seems to me that the Philippines needs something like this also. Angat Buhay won’t be able to do it alone. It’s really surprising that 3 years on, Angat Buhay seems to be the sole organization available as an outlet for people’s passions.
The best social media presence of an oppositionist as of now is that of Kiko Pangilinan. The next best thing to being an actor in the Philippines is possibly having actors and musicians in the family, keeping one in touch with the street.
Bonifacio WAS a part-time street theatre actor, BTW. He kind of changed the message of Rizal, but he knew how to communicate with the masses. Rizal’s novels show that he might have been a great teleserye scriptwriter in modern times.
Populists for good governance. What a concept! lol
Well, good governance is often seen in the Philippines as akin to bureaucracy, which, especially there is a lot of „chechebureche“ or, as Joey wrote, useless cargo cult rituals.
Helping people see how that connects to their own life is a challenge there, so one might have to go for successful rebranding like that of Kiko as a friendly uncle or the Manay Leila image that De Lima is now cultivating. Reach the villagers of the national village.
“LCX goes all mushy for her and I figure it’s how some kids like to play with worms.”
Well, I wouldn’t describe it as ‘mushy’. i would categorize it more as bordering on True Love, Joe.
On the BPO side, another thing too to consider is Indian run BPO. especially Cebu. I just talked yesterday to a call center bout an issue i was having, I’m thinking one of those cheaper runned Indian owned outfits was what i got cuz no noise cancelling meaning you can hear the background which sounded very much Cebu. the filipino workers to consider are these. and like Joey said many in said industry are just fresh out of high school. what will they remember feeling? that’s the most important part to consider.
Like I said , it’s Trule Love, for me, Joe.
What younger Filipino workers I’m betting would be feeling similarly to what am feeling.
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
― Maya Angelou
now, you are making sense. walk the talk and say your piece and readers will respond.
ahem, the only maya I know are small birds. and these days, it is hard to forget what people said, that is why we have libel laws and slights will not be easily forgotten. and people can pay dearly for having loose lips.
incidentally, many people did not forget what duterte did to them, killed their family members, and that is why dutere is now detained in the hague. people wont always forget what was done to them, and if they seek retribution, it is their right.
well, I can forget how people made me feel and I can even get over it, if the price is right, haha. and apology is always welcome specially if it comes with a box of chocolates.
enjoy your true love, corporal. write to your amour and who knows, you might get a greeting card from her.
but the polls are showing different metrics though, kb.
meaning what I’m feeling (that is true love) is what other Filipinos are also feeling:
I’m trying to research if that most current polling featured above is pre- or post- ICC extradition from manila airport. and i cannot find anything on the timelines.
Cuz if not, then said indicated popularity is only due to the 4comm hearings and the drama that unfolded surrounding all that. which means VP Sara will be on cloud nine cuz
lump in the latest ICC and The Hague stuff, she’ll be like Mama Mary from now til 2028. sky’s the limit at this point. is my point. VP Sara will be untouchable.
found it. here’s the dates: