On Covering the Napoles Hearing & Engaging with Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago about bloggers

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It is not often I go to the Senate. When I do, it is for special hearings like the Corona Trial , RH Law, COMELEC or the Senate Blue Ribbon hearings. During the Corona trial , I got media accreditation when I used my media ID from the Philippine Online Chronicles.

janet napoles on trial

This time around, I requested for a one-day media accreditation when I spotted the tweet of Christine Herrera of the Manila Standard. She gave me the contact details of the Public Relations and Information Bureau of the Senate of the Philippines. And I got it!

napoles 1

I have never seen so many cameras inside the Session Hall , not even during the Corona Trial. Janet Napoles arrived through the side door where the Senators always pass. She looked thinner than the last time I saw her photos at the detention cell. She looks angelic and eager to listen to the Senators. I wrote more about in my article at the Philippine Online Chronicles

Frustration and disappointment are the words to describe how I felt as I listened to Janet Lim Napoles to each question that Senator TG Guingona asked. Her response “di ko alam”, “Hindi ko po alam sa kanila”, “hindi po totoo yan”. I don’t know about everyone else felt but wouldn’t you want to know how our money was spent by these legislators?

janet napoles 1

I didn’t expect her to talk at all. Though evasive, you can read in between the lines. The whistleblowers talked with confidence about the intricate details of the alleged PDAF scam.

senators in blue ribbon 2

Not even Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago could bring out any testimony from Napoles even if she rattled out the Ten Commandments. You can read between lines when it was the turn of Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago. How can someone with a High School education concoct such a complicated scam without the help of a mastermind? Who is this mastermind?

As always Senator Santiago had many interesting quotes:

“Sino pa bang matanda dito sa Senado kundi si Enrile? Sabi niya 89 siya pero baka 99 na siya kasi nagde-dementia siya lalo tungkol sa akin”

“Are you aware of the commandment, ‘You shall not steal? You shall not tell a lie? What kind of a Catholic are you?”

“Ignorance can be treated but stupid is forever. Let’s hope for the best. Let’s hope this is a case of ignorance.”

senator mirian with napoles

The Senators are probably exasperated. Senator Drilon and even Senator Villar are bored with hearing.

senators in blue ribbon

Well, I was bored as well hearing the same replies all over again. She must have rehearsed during the past weeks she was in detention.

napoles answering

My friend tells me over facebook that “Napoles’ demeanor reveals she’s holding something vis-a-vis the witnesses who speak with eloquence and straightforward confidence.”

ben hur luy

All of these recorded by dozen cameras inside the Session Hall. The camera men were nice to let me squeeze in just so I can take photos of Janet Napoles and the Senators.

tv coverage of napoles

What probably was the highlight of my coverage was during the press conference with Senator Miriam Santiago. I introduced myself as @momblogger on twitter. Before I could ask my question… I was horrified, when she started to interview me instead:

“Ang blogger ba may hanapbuhay ba o wala? Does anyone pay you people? You have to have advertisers, right?”

I said that I write for the Philippine Online Chronicles. And that I don’t have ads because I am “controversial”. And if I discuss about bloggers, it will take time.

senator miriam santiago1

Then I proceeded to ask my question before she could ask more questions.

My question was taken from one of my twitter followers..”You have been telling the public about tanda, aren’t you scared considering that tanda is a real EVIL?” (You can view this vide where Sen Miriam Santiago at the 6:06 mark on Enrile)

She seemed to hesitate for 5 seconds and replied “no I am not scared of him”.

Then rattled off more than I could chew, that Enrile is the mastermind and the godfather (or grandfather) of all this scam. I was stunned. How brave of her to say this. I learned that Senators have immunity even if they call out another Senator

photo op with senator santiago

I hope to talk to her and explain more about bloggers. I love her no matter what other critics say about her. I am also thankful that Senator Santiago acknowledged bloggers and social media.

tv coverage of napoles1

Senator TG Guingona says the hearing was a success. Patting themselves in the back is not enough. The Senate must start enacting a legislation for the abolition of its own PDAF, DAP and other insertions to the GAA 2014. It is time for the Sandiganbayan to file cases against the alleged scammer.

napoles leaves senate

Citizens on their part, will continue to be vigilant against corruption and report misuse of funds.

We will continue to focus on three calls: the investigation and prosecution of all those who have misused pork, to account for all pork spent, and to scrap all forms of pork barrel.

kataKURAKOTan: A Horror Costume Parade vs the Pork Barrel System

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juana change halloween

Halloween is always spent with the kids. I never bothered to wear costume. The current pork barrel issue of corruption is “quite real and causing havoc and carnage” on the people’s lives. I must say horrific.

halloween costume

That is one reason I joined the pre-halloween event “kataKURAKOTan: A Horror Costume Parade vs the Pork Barrel System” where anyone can come in scary Philippine folklore demons/beast costume. Watch the video:

I still wanted to be fashionable wearing a mask that used to be owned by one of kids.

kataKURAKOTan-halloween costume

The protest tomorrow was meant to call on the citizens to persevere in the fight against the monsters of corruption.

kataKURAKOTan horror parade

Neil Doloricon, former dean of the UP College of Fine Arts said that “Pork is politically dead yet continues to thrive under the Aquino administration. Lawmakers are trying to keep it alive in the national budget and the President refuses to give up his own pork. In the horror genre, it would be similar to the undead”.

abolish pork barrel

What these politicians are doing is really scary. They are the real monsters in this country.

pork barrel

But I am not scared. I will continue to fight this battle against the pork barrel system. This is worth the fight.

mae paner

Never again a country of “40 million cowards and one son of a bitch”

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martial law photoI always tell stories to my children about high school and college life during martial law. I was 15 years old when Proclamation 1081 was declared by former President Ferdinand Marcos on September 21, 1972. My folks seemed overjoyed by the news. The administration did a great job brainwashing the old folks that the country was in turmoil and thus, Martial Law needed to be declared. I didn’t know it then, of course.

I felt a bit alarmed that any house could be raided for “subversive materials. Any reading material might be “subversive in the eyes of the military. Dad probably wanted to protect us so he bought books and magazines that were pro-Marcos. Soon after Marcos declared martial law, one American high-ranking official described the Philippines as a country composed “of 40 million cowards and one son of a bitch otherwise, he reasoned they should have risen against the destroyer of their freedom.

A youth during Martial Law

I spent most of my teenage years under the veil of martial law. Dad and Mom warned me that the moment my sister and I joined rallies and demonstrations in UP Diliman, it was back to Cebu. They didn’t know it then but my sister and I joined lightning rallies. Student issues centered on Marcos, the dictator, Academic Freedom and the role of Iskolar ng Bayan in the midst of Martial Law.

I remember my first rally was in Luneta Park on May 1, 1976. I forgot who organized it now. All I remember was holding hands with my pretend-boyfriend in Luneta Park. If you know Rico J. Puno’s version of “The Way We Were“, the pretend situation brought me to stitches.

Ohhh Can it be that it was all so simple then
Or has time rewritten every line
And if we had the chance to do it all again
Tell me, would we, could we

Alaala, ng tayo’y mag-sweetheart pa
Namamasyal pa sa Luneta
Nang walang pera

So it’s the laughter
We will remember
Whenever we remember
The way we were
Doo do do do do dooo

The organizers told us to be lovey-dovey and pretend to be sweethearts. I guess this was needed so that the police will not be suspicious of any illegal assembly. At a certain signal, a group of a hundred students would all chant Marcos, Hitler, diktador, tuta and converge in front of the Rizal Monument. Today, this would have been the “flash mob”. Those days, immediate arrest was inevitable. I thought it was a giddy adventure oblivious of the danger of being arrested. Raising our fists, stomping our feet around Luneta and chanting Marcos, Hitler, diktador, tuta around ten times, we dispersed amidst the growing crowd. Makibaka, huwag matakot! Makibaka, huwag matakot! It was an exhilarating experience and I could feel the adrenalin rush as we ran towards the Quiapo side streets. The police were just behind our back. Too close for comfort.

I pushed my luck once too many until one day, I got trapped along with some UP students inside an auto shop near Adamson University. It was Human Rights day. To make myself incognito, I wrapped my head with a scarf and wore large sunglasses. Sadly, the police were wiser now. They used the fire hose to disperse us and also to corner us into one place. So there I was with my friends waiting for the truck to haul us to Camp Crame. Maybe divine intervention prevailed upon us due in part to the intercession of the St. Theresa’s Colege nuns because suddenly, we were all released. There was a hitch though. Our photos needed to taken by the Intelligence. I complied, of course.

To make matters worse, my dad found out about the near-arrest. To this day, I don’t know how he found out. The military intelligence must have informed him. Or the moles so prevalent during those days. Dad told my sister and I Stop attending those demos or go home. This time, I obeyed because I valued my education at the State University.

 

Reminding the youth about Martial Law

ferdinand-marcos1I am lucky because I never got detained or tortured unlike some of my friends. My heart broke every time I heard news of my schoolmates in detention. It angered me that traitors were around us waiting to report subversives to the military. My brother was once detained for taking photos of policemen taking down streamers of the activists. Imagine that happening to us right now. I tell these stories to my children so they value their freedom, remember the horrors of martial law and to never let it happen again. The youth born after the People Power revolution need to know about the “human rights violation, the muzzling of the press and the curtailment of freedom during the Martial Law era.

The youth need to know how Ferdinand Marcos “fooled the Filipino people into believing that Martial Law was needed in the whole country, even if the troubles were only of political nature. The biggest loser was Press Freedom. Newspapers, TV and radio outlets were shut down and eventually turned over to be owned and operated by Marcos cronies.

“Let the lessons of martial law always teach us to value our freedom and democracy. Let us always remember the sacrifice, the blood, sweat and tears borne by those who were willing to fight so that future generations may live to enjoy life free from oppression. We must honor them by ensuring that, no matter what, we must all stand united to protect our democracy and willing to make our own sacrifices. We must also ensure that justice will be served for the victims of martial law against the oppressors and the guilty.

Sometimes I feel Martial Law never really left us, as if it is ingrained in our culture. Take the alarming case of extra-judicial killings that are left unresolved. ONE PERCENT (1.05 percent) of these incidents of heinous killings has ended in the conviction of the people who were responsible. This “one percent success rate in solving these crimes is an absolute embarrassment and we Filipinos should band together to make sure that this changes.

Nothing has really changed for the better since democracy was restored in 1986. The same “old people are still in power, a lot of government officials still usurp power to enrich themselves, and the Filipino is still where he was .. maybe even worse.”

Martial Law was indeed a dark part of our history but we have to be reminded of it only because we need to honor those who fought and fell to restore democracy then and now. We need to let the evils of Martial law out of our system. Are we going to allow ourselves to be called a nation of 95 million cowards, this time around?

Never again to Martial Law!

Justice for the victims of Martial Law and human rights violations!

 

The photo was taken by Reuben, my late brother who was one of those who fought hard for our freedom and democracy during martial law.

Photo by Reuben Veloso Lardizabal. Some Rights Reserved

Janet Lim-Napoles special treatment

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janet napoles

Like most netizens, I am alarmed at the extra special treatment given to Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged mastermind of the P10-billion pork barrel scam. Her transfer to a better facility at Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna feels like overkill because right now the charges filed against her is just “illegal detention”. All these extra special attention needs to be worth it for the Filipino people. I believe she needs to be in a secure place if indeed she will talk and deliver a testimony against alleged scammers.

janet napoles 1

I expect there will be charges filed soon so the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the scam will soon be realized. Many politicians will be named but I wonder if she will spill the beans on all. The audit report shows quite a number of questionable pork barrel transactions. I will just wait for updates.

Meantime…I wonder how she feels right now with her new place. Such a huge difference from her uh, luxurious residences.

janet napoles 3

When I checked the official photos released by the Philippine National Police, I can’t help but wonder how she will adjust to her simple surroundings . I guess she will get used to it eventually. I think it is so much better than the Makati City Jail.

janet napoles 4

Based on reports, she is free to roam around during the day. I am aware she is diabetic like myself so I hope she gets to exercise. If I am confined to just one place for an indefinite period, I will make sure to walk around for at least 30 minutes. Maybe it is time she also loses some weight so her diabetes will be more controlled.

fort sto domingo

Does she get to have a companion with her seeing that her bed is double decker? The posh drapery looks so out of place in the simple room.

janet napoles room1

The ceiling is grilled to make sure she does not saw her way out of the compound.

janet napoles room 1

Oh dear, the bathroom looks like there is no flowing water with all those drums. I am sure she will learn to flush the toilet with a pail of water . I don’t mind the “Tabo” system as long as there is ample water supply.

janet napoles bathroom

While she is free to roam during the day, her room will be bolted during the night.

janet napoles room

I wish her well.

Photos via PNP.

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” #MillionPeopleMarch

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It was Mahatma Gandhi who said ““Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” This quote resonated on the day a million people marched to Luneta. Okay, it was not exactly one million but that is not the point. The message was tweeted or re-shared a million times.

You might ask “Why do you think thousands responded to the call to march to Luneta that was sent out via social media?”

command center singing

It was simply outrage that our government officials are pocketing their hard-earned money. Each one of us are taxpayers whether we pay it in one form of the other such as income tax or VAT. We expect government to use our money for the purposes it was intended. Citizens expect our money will be used for the benefit of the Filipino people and not for the privileged few. Facebook event went viral because it is the nature of social media. This is Generation C, the connected Citizen . We are not only connected but greatly informed and empowered. I didn’t see the original post. I first learned of the event because it was shared by my friend Jane who normally does not attend rallies. One (the original poster) shared a compelling wall post that connects with people and connects those people with other people. The message was passed on and it resonated with our respective communities .

coa findings on PDAF

And the message, Enough is enough. 1)Scrap Pork 2)Account for All Spent Pork 3)Probe/punish Abusers of Pork.

Once I accepted the invite in Facebook, the rest of my friends chimed in and so with their friends and their respective friends. I felt it was my responsibility to ensure that my friends who accepted the invite felt safe to join. This is the main reason why I answered the call to volunteer.

command center

I did not expect to take charge of the Command Center but I was ready to be flexible. The truth is I wanted to be where the action was , to be with the people and to share my views on why the pork barrel needed to be abolished. Being stuck in a Command Center just blew all my plans away. To top it all, I will miss taking photos of the various banners and gimmicks.

I managed to take this meaningful “Kawatan” video of Jograd de la Torre though.

I know I missed many photo opportunities but I am thankful that my friends were all part of the change they wanted to see.

at the command center

After the Million People March, the next question is “what next”? It is the time to engage with friends on what you know about the pork barrel and continue to push the message “Scrap the Pork Barrel”.

1. Know what the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) is.

what is PDAF
Click to enlarge
2. Let us remain vigilant and continue the march. We can push for the Full Disclosure Act that demands full transparency from the agencies of government. Rally once more and maybe if Congress hears the deafening cries of every Filipino (there’s almost 98 million of us now) they might just pass the Freedom of Information Bill (FOI) once and for all. We can also knock on Malacañang’s door, or at PNoy‘s residence to remind him of his promise three years ago to pass the bill.

My personal goal is to continue engaging with the legislators on twitter using the hashtag #PDAFKalampag, attend the Senate Blue Ribbon Hearings on the Pork Barrel Scam every Thursday and lastly, to share articles about good governance through Blog Watch.

Change starts today. Now na! That is why you must be the change you wish to see in the world.

Youth migration, a theme on International Youth Day

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“We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future” Franklin D. Roosevelt

international youth dayHappy International Youth Day. The 2013 theme is “Youth Migration: Moving Development Forward .”

My daughter is one of the many young people who make up a significant share of the global number of international migrants. With easy access to opportunities that are open online, it is inevitable that one of them chose to study and work in a foreign land. While I am aware that opportunities may be invaluable, I worry about her safety. Young migrants face risks that may lead to unfavorable situations including discrimination and exploitation. Nothing is lost when our children leave. When they return home, these young migrants may apply their skills and knowledge to enhance development in their respective countries.

“The 2013 observance of International Youth Day will raise awareness of the opportunities and risks associated with youth migration, share knowledge and information stemming from recent research and analysis on this topic, and engage young people in discussions on their migration experiences.”

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon say it is ” important to emphasize the positive contribution young migrants make to societies of origin, transit and destination – economically and by enriching the social and cultural fabric. Most work hard to earn a living and improve their circumstances. The remittances they send to support families in their home countries are a major contributor to economies worldwide.” The 2013 World Youth Report (WYR) on Youth Migration and Development will be launched today. The Report will offer a multidimensional perspective of the life experiences of youth migrants, as well as some insights on the role of youth participation in migration-development policymaking and practice.

IntYouthDay2013

The call by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is that stakeholders like the tertiary education sector should do their bit to promote the rights of all young migrants and to maximize the development potential of youth migration.

The youth should be be aware about their rights while academic institutions should maximize the development potential of youth migration.

““Education will need to play a significant role in finding the answers.” How we educate our communities “to participate effectively in the economies of the 21st century and at the same time educate an increasingly diverse society to feel some kind of cultural identity will surely be a hallmark of educational performance”.

Parents can start in their own homes.

One of your children may one day go abroad to study or work. It is important to impart resiliency , the ability to cope and adapt to change. Resiliency is the number one skill they need to learn. Being resilient allows children and youth to overcome difficulties in their lives. What can we do to help prepare our children for the road ahead? I wrote more about it Resiliency is a no. 1 Life skill where I talk about powerful thinking tools to equip them to face adversity:

1.Tell them there is always a choice
2. Teach gratitude
3. Teach them to master a skill

Parents play a significant role in the development of their children. The hand that rocks the cradle may not rule the world, but it certainly makes it a better place, at least for our children. They will be our future leaders one day.

Change for the better starts today. #ChangeForTheBetter

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The most important political office is that of the private citizen. ~Louis Brandeis

I love my children.
I think of their future.
I hope for a good leader.

We all want that for our children, right? So listen up…we need to do our share in helping our country change for the better.

Be part of the change for the better by starting with yourself. .It starts with YOU..in choosing candidates that will work for your children’s future. Armed with that choice, you need to go out and vote .

But your part does not end in casting your ballot. Be champions of Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections by taking action on the 2013 elections. Social media has made it easier for citizens to participate in the electoral process. You can make a difference by being part of the #juanvote network of citizen voters empowered with their social media tools.

As netizens, we have the social media capital and channels to make our votes count, to help educate both candidates and voters, and help expand the coverage of the elections beyond what we see on TV and hear on the radio.

It was in 2010 that Filipino netizens formed #juanvote network to monitor elections online . This year, we are using the same hashtag to report law violations. Why?

We want to keep a close watch on today’s elections. The name #juanvote is used because the network calls on citizens to use hi-tech means to expose and hopefully thwart electoral fraud and violence. These elections are very important. We have to make sure that the candidates know that netizens and other citizens want changes and reforms to keep the internet free, to improve and expand internet access, check telco abuses, and make government more transparent and accountable. These issues could be addressed by candidates who have a clear stand on the laws we want repealed or bills we want passed into law.

I call on bloggers and all netizens to tweet using the #juanvote hashtag. Tweet that you have voted. Tweet if you see law violations and problems during the voting,

Take up the challenge to make a difference no matter how small just like Krem- Top’s campaign “Change for the better” .

Today May 13, do your share in helping the nation change for the better.

KT-ADrev12

A Moment of Silence or a prayer of Hope for all of you.

—-, let me be the change I want to see
To do with strength and wisdom
All that needs to be done
And become the hope that I can be.
Set me free from my fears and hesitations.
Grant me courage and humility.
Fill me with spirit to face the challenge
And start the change I want to see.
Today, I start the change I want to see.
Even if I’m not the light, I can be the spark.
In faith, service and communion
Let us start the change we want to see,
The change that begins in me

Dear three senatorial candidates (that I am voting for) #juanvote

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This is my #juanvote Blog Action day post:

It is five days before May 13, 2013.

I made a choice.

I have only three in my list.

You ask, ““So who are you voting?”

It does not matter who my candidate is. As project editor of Blogwatch.ph, it is prudent that I keep that choice privately. Oh yes, netizens, friends, and relatives  ask me and I tell them my choices and the reasons behind my choice and why I did not vote for the others .

citizen media

Certain quarters cannot distinguish me as a voter and me, as the editor.  I want Blog Watch to remain non-partisan. I can tell you  though that I will vote with my conscience.

My decision was based on an article I wrote  Voting matrix: How to select a candidate to vote for as senator .

voting_matrix
Click to enlarge

This election day is start of new things to come. Changes need to be made. Enough of political dynasty. There is no law that stops them from running but my vote may make a difference if I start today. I voted for you because you are not associated with a dynasty.

I made a choice to vote those NOT associated with a fat political dynasty (having immediate family members running or currently holding an elective position) .

Why the big deal on political dynasty?  Most say the people decide on election day. This is democracy. But is it really democracy?  My rationale is based on the explanation from  the Policy Study, Publication, and Advocacy (PSPA) Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG) October 3, 2012)

The concentration, expansion, and consolidation of political dynasties over the past 100 years attests to the continuing hegemony of feudal politics, the absence of any form of real democracy, and the continued powerlessness of a vast marginalized majority in the Philippines. Definitely alarming today is the entrenchment of the system of political dynasties on a higher and blatant scale making the fair representation of the large majority of Filipinos even more elusive.

Two of the seven desired criteria I identified carried the most weight :  supportive of women’s rights (maternal health) and standing up for children rights. The rest of my desired criteria were:

1. voting to repeal/amend the cybercrime law,
2. promotion of small and medium enterprises,
3. in favor of an anti-political dynasty law
4. Supportive of a divorce law
5. a pro-environmental platform .

These are my beliefs and issues that hold dear to me.  Your track record, competence and platforms were indeed good factors to consider in my decision making process.  The other non-quantifiable aspect is gut feel and your campaign strategy.

The way a candidate handles his/her campaign gives me an insight to the governance of this candidate.

I know impressions can be misleading  but I trust my gut feelings on my experience dealing with you. (Hint: my candidates are three of those Blog Watch interviewed: View Summary of podcast of the 10 candidates : Jun Magsaysay, Teddy Casino, Risa Hontiveros, Koko Pimentel, Edward Hagedorn, Cynthia Villar, Alan Peter Cayetano, Tingting Cojuangco, Gringo Honasan and Jack Enrile.) . I placed a big weight on this because I know you are busy but took time to talk two hours with ordinary citizens.

As a citizen-voter, I will practice continued vigilance and participate in governance.

I will participate in legislating laws through legislative advocacy, a process of engaging with the legislature and other governmental and social institution to ensure that the concerns and welfare of the general electorate be articulated in the deliberations of bills and other legislative measures as well as in the final versions of laws.

I know you will be good for the country and the future of my children’s children.

Sincerely,

@momblogger on Twitter

P.S. Here are other letters dedicated to you

A background material on political dynasties:

CenPEG Analysis : Horizontal and Vertical Expansion of Political Dynasties

The good old Erap Jokes

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Updated: I posted this 7 years ago and thought of bringing it back in the light of Erap’s recent campaign bid for Mayor of Manila.

Enjoy!

April 12, 2006: With the start of Joseph Estrada’s plunder trial , the Erap jokes are back again in circulation:

Jinggoy: dad, kita madadalaw ngayon. May urine test ako bukas. ( Dad, I can’t visit you today. I have a urine test tomorrow)
Erap: Okay lang anak, aral kang mabuti ha. (that’s okay, son. Just study well.)

Erap might have been accused of many things but he left behind a legacy, “the Erap jokes”. My son adored Erap simply because of his famous Erap jokes. He found them funny and wanted to know more Erap jokes. We even bought the Erap joke book. Here is one of Luijoe’s favorite Erap jokes.

Erap buys a ballpen:

Erap: Miss, do you have a ballpen?
Clerk: Sorry, sir we don’t have any ballpens
Erap (angry): Why did you name your store “Penshoppe“?

Luijoe loved to tell this joke to everyone . One time, Luijoe and I passed by Penshoppe ( a teen fashion store) in Glorietta mall and I teased him if he wanted to go inside with me , so I could ask the same question Erap asked.

Luijoe was shocked at my suggestion…”NO, MOM!” He pulled me away towards the play area.

Hehe. My son must have thought I was crazier than Erap.

———–
More Erap Jokes:

Jinggoy: Dad, manganganak na po misis ko. (Dad my wife is about to give birth)
Erap: Dali tumawag ka ng ambulansya at dalhin natin sa Jollibee (Hurry, call for an ambulance and bring her to Jollibee)
Jingoy: dad bakit po sa Jollibbe (dad, why at Jollibee?)
Erap: May free delivery doon (There is free delivery over there)

—-

US Doctor: Mr. President, you have a brain tumor.
Erap: hahahahaha
US Doctor: Why are you laughing?
Erap: I’m laughing because in the Philippines I have no brain but here, I have 2 more!

—-

Erap gets really mad when he sees the next sign :”JFK LEFT”. “See?” he scolds his driver. “We’re so late even the airport left already”.

The Alan Cayetano I know @alanpcayetano

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Updated April 3, 2013– I am reposting this since Alan is running again for senator (Check Senator Alan Cayetano’s profile and platform here). In May 2007, I wanted to write about Alan just before election day but I felt uncomfortable writing about politics in 2007. I only became active in citizen media during the latter part of 2009. My question back then was “is there a way to write about politics without selling your soul?” I found out that it is alright to disclose any affiliations with a politician or a political party.

It is on this note that my affiliation with the Cayetano family started when my husband, Alan’s father Rene Cayetano among other lawyers were partners of a law firm in 1998. The CASElaw firm still exists today but my husband is now just a name partner.

This is the Alan Cayetano I know…
Read More →