Saksak Sinagol Rowel Augusto

Best wishes for the Philippines in this new year 2024. Malaumon kita nga kining bag-ong tuig maghatag ug bag-ong kahigayunan alang sa kalambuan sa atong nasud nga Pilipinas.

Do we really need to vote when election day comes? October 30, 2023, was the schedule of the Barangay and SK elections in the Philippines. I exercised my right of suffrage yesterday and voted in the precinct where I was registered. I have noted a lot of things that I am discussing here on this episode.

FIVE policemen from the Mambaling Police Station in Cebu City are facing various cases including kidnapping, rape, and other offenses over alleged acts done during anti-illegal drug operations.The suspects were identified as Police Corporals Johnrober Rebusa, Jeffrey Alabata, Keven Gilbuena, and Police Staff Sergeants Donald Balansag and Joy Marie Alad-ad.
Policemen are also accused of being the gunmen in the killing of Governor Ruel Degamo in Negros Oriental.

Do you still trust the PNP?

Convicted pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles has been acquitted by the Sandiganbayan in the 16 counts of graft raps relating to the pork barrel scam involving Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., the Sandiganbayan declared.

In its decision released and dated May 22, 2023, the anti-graft court’s First Division dismissed the cases against Napoles for the failure of the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in terms of violation of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.


Aside from the acquittal, the Sandiganbayan has also ordered that the Hold Departure Orders against Napoles, in connection with these cases, be lifted.

Why?

The Dept. Of Health said that a total of 131 additional cases of the Omicron subvariants of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) have been detected in the Philippines.Based on the latest Covid-19 Biosurveillance Report, the Department of Health (DOH) said 131 of the 137 samples sequenced from May 9 to 11 were found to be Omicron subvariants and sublineages.



This is alarming since it showed Covid-19 is still a threat to the country. Sadly, Filipinos are no longer wearing face masks to protect themselves from the virus and are actively participating in a lot of social activities like concerts, sports events among others.

Is it about time that mandatory wearing of face mask be implemented again in the country?

It came as a surprise when former President and senior deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was stripped of her Senior Deputy Speakership last Wednesday, May 17, 2023. It was a move by Congress that has caused speculation of a power struggle in the House. Earlier, there were reports that Arroyo was planning a quo in the House as she wants to return as the Speaker of the House, a position she was holding during the Duterte regime.



A day after, on Thursday, Vice-President Sarah Duterte resigned as the Chair of Lakas-CMD, a political party once chaired by Arroyo. Former President Arroyo is a known friend and supporter of Former President Rodrigo Duterte, Sara Duterte's father. Is the relationship between Arroyo and Duterte now getting sour?