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So it is not only the COMELEC and its Commissioners that “Ang Ladlad” and all homosexuals should be watching their backs against with.

Despite the most recent decision of the Supreme Court to reinstate the provisional accreditation of “Ang Ladlad’s” status and be included on the list of party-list groups on official ballots for the May 2010 elections, different sectors are decrying the decision of the highest court saying that the group will only push for “immoral, legislation.” So don’t be so happy and gay yet.

Bishops from the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines are mostly against the move of the Supreme Court as like what the COMELEC Commissioners had said on their faith-based, unconstitutional and unreasonable decision on disqualifying Ang Ladlad; that the group is already well-represented “especially in entertainment, so there is no need to represent them in Congress.”

But the harsher words, seemingly homophobic statements, (as if there are no homosexuals among their ranks, actually there is a good number too. You are right, they somewhat well represented), and irrational line of reasoning come from Bishop Crispin Varquez of Borongan. He says,

“There is a big possibility that they will push for immoral bills. They are already in favor or pre-marital sex and for sure they will push for same-sex marriage. That is why they should not be allowed in the party-list elections. What will happen to our government and society if all lawmakers we elect into office are immoral?”

Wow, those were heavy words folks. It’s as if our government is not already overflowing with immoral leaders, just aim your eyes at the Palace and in most government offices. Ooops, wait guys, Mr. Garci and Mr Abalos are calling me on my mobile phones. “Hello, Garci? Oh, I will have 200 from you?”

I am back. Well, maybe it is better for us to have macho politicians who are cheating us of our democratic rights and stealing our hard-earned money to lead us than having homosexuals in congress who will still by the way serve as minority member/s of the House of Representative if ever? Did I get it right “your Excellency”? Am I right, or I am just simply right?

For Bishop Emeritus Bacani, having Ang Ladlad in Congress is something that is within their constitutional right so long that they “exercise responsibility” and he is just more concerned with the advocacies that they are to push through that would be contradictory to the teachings of the Church.

Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes and Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñeguez both believed Ang Ladlad will not do any good to this nation saying:

“There is abnormality in the situation. The Supreme Court should explain why they recognized this group. I (Bastes) think the COMELEC is right in disqualifying Ang Ladlad. I believe such a party-list will not redound any good of this nation.”

Woah, these bishops are really hot-headed, may have consumed lots “mompo”. Care for a halo-halo?

If we are to reassess whoever has done any good or brought ill to this nation, these bishops/the Catholic Church are also equally very much responsible why we have arrived into this kind social, moral and economic decay. You know what I mean; Diocese of Malacañang?

When it comes to homosexuality and issues that involve sexuality, most of them are like mad dogs and instant activists, but when corruption is being done here and there, many of them are as silent and as cold as those statues on altars, with one priest even saying that GMA is a gift from God likening her to Christ being crucified by her detractors for doing good. WTF?! If all priests are like this guy from the pulpit of Pampanga who puts GMA’s portrait side-by-side Jesus Christ, I would rather want to worship the sun and the mountains.

That is where the dual and split identity of some of our beloved bishops comes into the picture; there is separation of State and Church when it comes corruption issues, but there is no separation of Church and State, with the former bullying the latter when it comes to issues of sexuality (homosexuality, reproductive health to name a few).

To be more realistic, we have priests and bishops who are also homosexuals (thus, may also be not doing any good to this nation too?), and while homosexuals through Ang Ladlad may win a seat in the lower congress, they are to work for the affairs and concerns of the state, temporal matters may be a term for it; while the former work for as they say spiritual concerns. This is what our beloved bishops have forgotten. The burden of living out what they preach is way much heavier on their shoulders. Try to take a look at your priests and fellow bishops and seminaries first Your Excellencies, before you say and “judge” people who “will not do any good” to this nation. The “dark side” is also lurking actively somewhere there.

When bishops speak on this we-know-everything and we-are-right-you-are-immoral tone, I cannot help myself but think that they are also at the same time not trusting the capacity of people (or believers) to think for themselves and live out what was preached to them. Why recourse to this kind of mudslinging and name-calling. If ever bills were pushed for same-sex marriage, then let the people decide, let those politicians decide, have you forgotten that this is a Christian-dominated nation? Then, if you did your homework well on teaching the people and helping the people decide from their conscience, there is nothing to worry about and no need to pass on judgment to things that are not yet even happening.

If ever a bill on same-sex marriage was passed in the future, better ask yourself too Your Excellencies, certainly you failed somewhere, and not only throw tirades and casting stone at this small community of people. Only Pharisees do that.  Amen.

What I am trying to drive at is:  let us respect each other, certainly there are some norms that you bishops are trying to protect, but calling these groups short of immoral leaders and people who will not do good to this nation is already against your very preachings of justice, respect and love; it is just too much, unbecoming of shepherds of people.  No wonder why so many people are also leaving the Church for its very combative and antagonistic approach on moral and sensitive human issues.

What do you think about the article, with the bishops calling Ang Ladlad and the homosexuals in effect as immoral people who will not do any good to this nation? Do you agree with our Excellencies?

Arum says Mayweather never really wanted the fight from the very beginning and is a psychological coward.

Big-mouthed Mayweather on the other hand replied saying, Pacquiao is ill-advised, and his boxing nemesis ruined the talks for what could be the biggest boxing fight of the century.

Come on Floydie, think you can fool boxing fans the way you fool yourself?

The random drug-testing issue that Mayweather brought up during the negotiation was the not the real source of the botched super-mega-fight. Obviously, it is Mayweather himself, his over-inflated ego to protect his unblemished boxing record, and his being chicken. To simply put it, Floyd Mayweather Jr. is a coward; his big mouth is certainly much bigger than his balls.

What Manny Pacquiao started on his boxing exploits to bring life to a sport that is already slowly being ripped apart by mixed martial arts is on the other hand being toppled down and ushered to the grave by the most flamboyant boxer we have ever witnessed, who earned from much smaller fighters.

Rewind.

After his lousy win over the much smaller Marquez, he said that if Manny wins and bring more money to the table from PPV against his bout with Cotto, Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight is on. And Manny did.

The problem with how the money is going to be split between the two fighters was a big issue as Big-mouthed Mayweather wanted the lion’s share. But as everything unfolds, he is not at all a lion and does not deserve the bigger chunk of the paycheck, as he is really a chicken after all.

Negotiations for the bout started, while the Mayweather camp is insinuating that Pacquiao was using performance-enhancing drugs despite the latter’s clear records on the Nevada State Athletic Commission; and the Mayweather camp not totally understanding the dynamics of their accusations.

To stop the father-and-son bad-mouthing of Manny-s reputation, they were sued; the best thing and the most proper thing to do, while Pacquiao’s camp is still on for the fight.

Now, the dream super bout will not happen, though Mayweather continuously tells the media that he is “still hoping” for the bout to be salvaged. That is total nonsense Floyd! Afraid for Manny to put a loss on his “0” and make his face bloody, swollen and ripped into pieces by power punches.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey

It is official. Arum already announced Manny’s next fight is to be against former champion Joshua Clottey to be held at the Cowboys’ Stadium which can house up to 100,000 warm bodies. Clottey’s most recent fight was against Miguel Cotto who was sent by Pacquiao running for his dear life on their 11-round bout. On that fight, Clottey lost a very close bout; other boxing analysts say Clottey should have won the fight.

The bout with Clottey is set at 147 lbs, no catch weight for the champ; obviously fighting a much bigger fighter.

This is a dangerous fight for Manny to defend his new title as Clottey is a very strong fighter, resilient and a much-bigger opponent.

It may not be taking home ton-loads of cash compared to the botched fight planned against Mayweather, but Pacquiao only shows what boxing is really about: not all money Floydie, but a real quest for supremacy.

Mayweather vs. Hatton vs. Malignaggi?

With Pacman out of sight, Mayweather is happy to fight back in the ring for a sure win against sloppy fighters on March 13. Chicken Mayweather is eyeing a fight against Malignaggi or Ricky Hatton’s brother; two fighters that are not at par with Mayweather’s boxing class and level. Farce.

With the fallout of Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight, the latter has just sealed his notoriety with fighting lower class boxers, smaller opponents and worn-out champions. Well, a Pacquiao vs Clottey fight is far better than a Mayweather vs Malignaggi vs Hatton fight.

Mayweather should now be starting to consider shifting into another career for the IRS and foreclosure cases not ultimately catch up on him.

A real boxer is the one making his fists do the talking. And Manny has proven this on all of his fights even elevating his athletic skills to new heights with every fight. While Manny has been fighting much bigger opponents, Floydie is very much afraid of this little man from GenSan and instead looking for much smaller opponents to win without even knocking them out and claim for himself the title of the best boxer of the world. What duh!

How about Floydie, asking Oprah for a talk show instead of calling yourself the best pound-for-pound boxer, or even as a boxer. You talk too much! Afraid to get hit by Pacquiao, making your whole face bleeding and disfigured, and be found by the whole world running to mama?

And it is the wisest thing for Manny not to work anymore a fight against Floyd “Chicken” Mayweather, Pacman may just get infected with chicken flu, and let big-mouthed Mayweather suffer laying more eggs fighting against IRS agents.

Watch Floyd “Chicken” Mayweather Video:

What do you think of the Manny Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey Fight? And Floyd “Chicken” Mayweather? Share your thoughts.

Pacquiao-Clottey Fight Replay Video

Pacquiao-Clottey Free Live Stream Online

He once said that in order to keep yourself afloat in the tight presidential race, one needs to have at least P1 billion on his campaign chest.

And I think he is really living up to his words; a certain quality we all need for our leaders, a far cry from the lousy excuses of always pointing out “lapse of judgment” to all moral failures in governance by GMA.  But this certain issue is not of course something plausible.

Manny Villar has been all over town, trying to capture everyone’s fancy up to a voter’s dreaming; riding and employing well a last-song syndrome among the kids through his campaign jingles; bombarding us with all sorts of political ads on primetime on all networks, from OFWs being saved from the torture of foreign employers but will have to live a similar torturous situation here in the country due to poverty, to the Michael V. impersonations that made me lose my interest on him; paying Big G (google) for his online ads; Facebook ads; going around the nation with Willie Revillame giving away house and lot to hapless people waiting for manna; plastic bottles with his face on it; radio ads, print ads; courting Manny Pacquiao; and all sorts of freebies one desperate man can imagine, so long as his paycheck could still withstand the potential reds off his balance sheet.

Manny Villar obviously started campaigning way, way ahead of others, though the Supreme Court has called it “freedom of expression” rendering our capacity to think inutile with just the playing of words against the real personal intentions of political vultures.

To this, I am very much wondering:  how much Manny Villar already so far have spent on his political campaign? I have no idea, really, but just looking at all these things he is bombarding us makes my brain go hemorrhagic on doing the mathematical calculation.

Here some screenshots of his online campaigns:

One of his political ads:

These ads, and all the spending are little by little doing some wonder on his numbers, as the latest survey shows that he is up by some points second to Noynoy Aquino, and the latter’s lead diminishing by two points.

Now,  my wondering leads me to another one:  How will Manny Villar recoup all the money he has spent on his campaign if he wins the presidency, and if he loses?

So, I ask guys.  For you, how much Manny Villar may have so far spent on his political campaign? Any figures, estimates?  My guess is more than P1 billion.

It is not only dismal survey ratings that presidential aspirant Gibo Teodoro needs to hurdle; only affirming that it follows, the kiss of a death certainly does not attract lady luck.

I checked out the new blog of my buddy Aaron PinoyGossipBoy.Ph on its new wordpress-powered home (congratulations Bro!) and he got a post about Rico Blanco crying foul on Twitter over Teodoro using his song “Posible” on his TV ad that we have been seeing lately on primetime.

Rico Blanco who is now working solo had these series of tweets regarding what seemed like an act against intellectual property rights committed by the bar top-notcher (via twitter.com @1ricoblanco):

i’m itching to tweet about this VERY STRANGE intellectual property issue that came to my attention just last night.)

i’d like to understand how can a presidentiable can overlook a simple matter such as intellectual property. command responsibility

ok finally saw it. very nice ad. but wow. they even copied my singing/voice. so it cant be that they just werent aware i existed. sakitsaulo

As Aaron pointed out, this is an issue of ownership, whether Rico Blanco was the one composed or who sang the song, the one who owns it inked on paper still has the right over the use of it, in this case used on Gilbert Teodoro’s political advertisement.

I first thought that Rico Blanco is the one singing the song for the ad, and so thought of too that he supports Gibo, the same way Gloc9 supports Bro. Eddie Villanueva and Regine Velasquez for Noynoy Aquino and Madam Auring supports the freak Atty. Lozano.

Putting aside all the legal implications and show biz buzz it could generate; the real question lies on its effect on Gilbert Teodoro’s candidacy, knowing his very poor and consistent performance on survey ratings among the presidentiables hanging on the bottom end of the race like VW Beettle racing against Ferraris and Corvettes.

Unlike the world of celebrities, any rumors, gossips, sex scandals and allegations like this will certainly give a presidentiable extra media mileage (more TV guesting and movie projects) but unfortunately will lose precious votes and confidence from the public that lives and dies on personalities, pedigree and big names.  At a crucial presidential campaign for May 2010 elections, Gibo direly if not desperately needs more votes, more good news, more “pogi points” (more hair maybe, but Noynoy needs double of what Gibo needs to be planted on his skull) and never issues like this.

He may not be sued, or embroiled in a legal tussle, sex scandal caught on tape, but as clear as the morning sun and as sure as another failure of total automated election, Gibo is losing the race towards the Palace.

Any thoughts guys?  With this new development, do you think Gibo Teodoro still have the chance to win the presidency?

Image from W3.XS.edu.ph

Happy New Year once again guys!

How was your New Year?  Surely, everyone now is so busy as the holiday vacation abruptly comes to an end and our desks are already waiting for us to work our ass out and replenish are busted wallets and soaring credit card dues.

Going back, how was your New Year?  Complete fingers eh?

Permit me to have some story-telling to shake off what I felt was a little bad luck that was showered on me last New Year’s Eve.  Nah, not really; just some rant.

New Year’s Eve is one of the most special days of the year if not the most bloody day of the year for those who are hard-headed, trying to light a fire cracker on the left hand and then throw the match stick on from right hand.  Boom!  Crazy.

Family members are gathered to reminisce the year that is coming to a close and await with joy, hope and prayers the new year.  It is the presence of one another, of the whole family that makes this night very meaningful, colorful and special.

All of us were busy bodies, preparing everything for New Year’s eve, and surely same with you on your respective homes.  Food, plates, decors, and all; typical on a Filipino household and table.

But lo’ and behold, some people knocked on our door and told us they are relatives; six of them.  No text messages, no calls, no whatsoever.  They just arrived like a tsunami (well, good thing tsunami has an alarm system), a whole family: from grandpas and grandmas to little children.  Yeah, yeah…hospitality, served them everything, service that could rival that of Dubai’s 7-star hotel.  Actually, I haven’t seen them all my life of my entire life…only that night.  Life is full of surprises, even on New Year’s eve.

The conversation and our enthusiasm among my immediate family waned down as midnight was already approaching, firecrackers signaling that New Year is only a couple of minutes away, and they are still there at our home, with another four of them arriving to join the whole gang; siphoning every energy and time that our family had just to serve them with everything we have.  And take note, they wanted just “to be served” like old gluttonous Romans.

Were they relatives?  I tried to look at our family tree and it revealed something:  well, if our family tree is growing as a mango tree on a farm, they are coming from a mahogany tree right from the Mountains of Sierra Madre.  In short, as distant as Andromeda.

And the torment has not yet ended as one by one these people interviewed me like a true Gestapo, asking my full name, my parents, siblings, my work, how much is my salary, short of asking me how long is my large and small intestine combined and that thing bulging right below my belt.

To cut the story short:  they went home past 12 midnight on January 1, 2010, got fed and served well by all of us who were on our goody-goody mood.  And we as a family never felt that it was already New Year as we were all so damn tired.  Many of us already fell asleep into awkward positions not having the traditional family gathering of having a meal together and in “private”.

There is no big deal with relatives or visitors, so long as they tell the host at least they are coming over; and they are also sensitive enough especially on this kind of occasion that a family needs also its time, space and privacy to celebrate.

Ah, that was how  I and my family spent our New Year with some people who just came in like a wind and vanished as soon as we were all like dead meat.  My family and I are still wishing to have another New Year’s Eve one of these days…maybe on a hotel or rented yacht floating on Manila Bay this time around..

So, how about you, how was your New Year celebration?  Nothing but good luck to all of you for 2010!

Image from Savage Chickens

Happy New Year folks!

Sorry, if I am to welcome your New Year with this kind of post.  Expect I am going to post a more lighter one about the New Year in the coming days.

It is like a toy balloon swelling up as more air is being pumped into it with sooner or later, it will explode as it cannot hold more air.

This is sad news for Filipinos this yuletide season and the year 2010.  But knowing the Filipinos’ strength of spirit and love of ironies of life, this serious economic problem will not easily weaken us though may force us into quick anger.  This is a problem that taxpayers’ may once again be forced to shoulder in lieu of the welfare of the nation while thieves are still unrepentant for their excesses.

The Philippines’ 11-month budget deficit drastically ballooned up to P272.5 billion and is projected to hit P300 billion at the end of the year.  To simply put it, the government has spent P272.5 billion without even earning it yet.  This is a mother’s nightmare when doing the budgeting at home.  This serious financial problem is attributed by the Finance Department to the economic slowdown, thus lower revenue for the government courtesy of its collecting bodies, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Bureau of Customs; and the impact of the recent typhoons that destroyed properties and crops amounting to more than P10 billion.

There are a few reasons why we have this mind-boggling P272.5 billion budget deficit.

1. The rampant illegal smuggling of all kinds of goods into Philippine shore ranging from genetically-modified vegetables, car accessories and second-hand underwear is still thriving.  Smuggling either in collusion with the Customs officials or not, certainly kills the country and ill its surviving industries much more robbing the national coffer.
2. The devastating typhoons and economic slowdown are given conditions.
3. Corruption is still the king, one of the biggest problems in the government like a black hole sucking all resources, digging up mass graves for its citizens.  It has been known that government projects are usually overpriced with commissions and kickbacks up to almost 40% more than its actual cost.  Nowhere in the report though that the Department of Finance has attributed to corruption as one more serious reason why we have to incur such a big amount of budget deficit.  Billions of pesos are going to corruption; into a few pockets. And they do not have the balls to actually admit it.
4. Election time is getting near and it may be thought of that those who are presently occupying government positions who are eyeing for a re-run or higher office have used or may still use government money into their campaign.  Millions if not billions of public funds wasted.

In effect, this budget deficit is no heaven for the public, more so tax-payers and businesses.

1. In order to augment government spending, the government itself will have to barrow more money to international lending institutions, issue treasury bills or beg for foreign aid, swelling up our national debt which by the way has to be repaid even by future generations.
2. Selling of government-owned corporations (GOCs), private properties ad shares of stocks are some of the easiest ways to pump in money into the government without earning the anger of the public.  Examples of this are the scheduled selling of the government stake at PNOC-EDC, the Jusmag Property in Taguig and the Tokyo Property.  These are midnight baratillo sale of the government desperate for additional funds.
3. How about having negotiations with the Marcoses regarding the Marcos properties as a band-aid solution?
4. And if nothing happens, taxing is key.  Hiking taxes on liquor and cigarette and other products are some solutions on this area.  Unfortunately, another form of value-added-tax which could already be called this time around as over-expanded-value-added-tax (OE-VAT) could easily be thought of lawmakers.

As to the issue of public funds (how to budget it, how to get it, and how to spend it), the public which by the way is the main source of this money being stolen by thieves in government uniforms, only has a tiny voice, if not no voice at all.

This is the legacy that President Arroyo is to leave to the public and expect it to even swell up as election is getting nearer and nearer.

Image from San Francisco Sentinel

Soon all clocks will register the same time all around the country.

House Bill 6905, or the Philippine Standard Time (PST) Bill was filed by 19 lawmakers and was passed and approved on third and final reading at the House of Representatives, reading for transmission to the Senate.

This bill aims to address the lack of an official time in the country.

Main author of the bill Rep. Magtanggol Gunigundo explained,

“With a synchronized set PST, we can welcome a new year in unison, blend time sensitive chemical mixtures like medicine and food ingredients, and synchronized security locks and other devices. By synchronizing the official watches and clocks in the entire archipelago, all Filipinos can sing the national anthem at the same time.”

This is good news only if our government officials are not arriving late on speaking engagements and their sessions (if not always absent).

The serious question though is, do Filipinos really have a sense of time? More than setting all the clocks around the to a certain standard in order for us to a synchronized chronology of things, are the Filipinos have a sense of chronological time? Or the discipline to respect and value time and that of other people’s time?