By Estanislao Albano, Jr.

Only 11? A very tiny Mafia. ”
Taiwan is unhappy over exclusion from the US-led Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) war games
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen Best President in the World Female Category! Imagine a woman leader standing up to formidable China!
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General elections in New Zealand postponed due to a new Covid-19 outbreak.
In the Philippines, politicians would not mind having no elections at all even for no apparent reason.
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2 days ago
Senators Christopher Go and Ronald dela Rosa make no secret they will serve the President until their last breath.
Now is their chance to prove their undying devotion to the President. They decide between themselves who should join the trials for the Russian Covid-19 vaccine in the name of the President who earlier declared his willingness to be guinea pig for the medical project.
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“To my colleagues in government, even though we are allies, if there are wrongdoings, I will speak out. It came to a point when the President told me to ‘talk like an opposition’ when it comes to corruption.” Senator Go.
The President should complete the mandate by telling Go to “answer question like an opposition” when he exposes wrongdoings on the floor of the Senate. Go does not want to answer questions on his privilege speeches.
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Actress Angel Locsin wants all corrupt officials jailed.
Angel, sometime ago, someone was so bent on getting that accomplished he promised to do it in three to six months. That was 50 months ago.
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Senator Grace Poe calls for a leadership purge in the Philhealth.
Ma’am, we will have to see first where the trust and confidence of the President goes.
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During the Senate hearings on the latest wave of Philhealth anomalies, NBI and the COA scored the state health-insurer for delayed submission of documents.
At least we have not yet heard of COA auditors being thrown down Philhealth stairs.
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According to Palace Spokesman Harry Roque, a Covid-free Christmas is still a possibility.
Sir, how about corruption-free Philhealth by Christmas?
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The solution of Health Secretary and Philhealth Chairman Francisco Duque anomalous faulty interim reimbursement mechanism (IRM) of the state health insurer is simple: rectify the errors.
Duque is getting used to slipping away from danger through rectification. His erroneous and self-serving pronouncements that we are already in the second wave of the pandemic and have already flattened its curve were conveniently amended after they provoked widespread condemnation and ridicule.
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The Ombudsman orders the preventive suspension of 11 incumbent and former officials of the PhilHealth.
Only 11? A very tiny Mafia.
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Could it be that the reason the administration was caught with its pants down by the massive corruption in Philhealth was that some of officials were so obsessed with the alleged thievery committed by Senator Risa Hontiveros while serving in the Board of the state health-insurer they overlooked the presence of a Mafia there?
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Palace Spokesman Roque said that although the President still has trust and confidence in Secretary Duque, the latter may do some soul searching in the midst of the controversies hounding the official.
Harry, how come an official who has the trust and confidence of the President still needs to do soul searching? The President bestows his trust and confidence without due diligence?
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Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, Franklin Drilon, Nancy Binay, Sherwin Gatchalian, Ronald dela Rosa, Risa Hontiveros, and Joel Villanueva cited for perfect attendance in the first regular session of the 18th Congress.
I see one instance in the list where attendance in Senate sessions does more harm than good not only to the chamber but the republic.
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“I didn’t make the list this time. I had to attend my brother’s 3 p.m. funeral on a session day. Next time, I swear I won’t attend my own funeral to maintain my perfect attendance,” Senator Panfilo Lacson upon failing to make the perfect attendance list for the fourth consecutive time.
You mean, sir, the Senate is so unfeeling it holds sessions on the funeral of a member?
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Regarding the 27M Filipinos reportedly rendered jobless by the pandemic as of July, Palace Spokesman Roque said it could have been worse.
I wholeheartedly agree because for instance, had we declared a travel ban very early so that we were not infected by the Covid-19 but had enraged China with our decision so much it decided to nuke us, all of us would be jobless by now in addition to being dead. **
