April 2016 – Page 2 – ellen tordesillas

Another deafening silence from the President on the Basilan tragedy

Published by Ellen on April 10, 2016

Caskets of the 23 soldiers killed at WestMinCom. Photo from the Facebook page of Zhast Omar Eting

Do we still have a President?

More than 20 Filipinos died Saturday in a clash between government forces and the terrorist group Abu Sayaf in Barangay Baguindan Tipo-Tipo in Basilan. And there’s not a word from the commander-in-chief of the country’s Armed Forces.

As I was writing this piece at 5 pm, Sunday, there was no statement from President Aquino. I texted his spokespersons but didn’t get any reply.

I opened the TV for the vice-presidential debate and I saw the President endorsing Mar Roxas as his successor and Leni Robredo as vice president in a Liberal Party advertisement.

Does the President know about the tragedy in Basilan?

Mas malutong ang putang ina mas malakas ang palakpak kay Duterte

Published by Ellen on April 9, 2016

(Lumabas itong kolum sa Abante: www.abante.com.ph)

CAA, Las Pinas. From FB page of Sahad Andal Jr

Kaya si Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte ay mura ng mura dahil gustong-gusto yan ng mga tagahanga niya. Mas malutong ang “Putang Ina” mas malakas ang palakpak.

Nang sinundan namin ang kanyang rally noong Biyernes sa Parañaque, Las Piñas at Muntinlupa, nabingi ako sa sandamakmak na putang ina na narinig namin. Hindi lang putang ina ang bukambibig niya. Merong ulol, tanga, gaga (kay dating Justice Secretary Leila de Lima), bayot (kay Liberal Party standard bearer Mar Roxas), buang.

Gustong-gusto ng mga tagahanga niya. Sigaw pa nila: “Mura pa more!”

PH authorities knew of Subi Reef lighthouse construction 5 years ago

Published by Ellen on April 7, 2016

Lighthouse on Subi Reef in South China Sea is not in use. Photo by Xing Guangli. Xinhua

China has started the operations of a lighthouse in Subi Reef, The Chinese news agency Xinhua reported Tuesday.

Xinhua said the 55-meter high lighthouse contains technology to monitor passing ships.

The Philippines should be very concerned.

Stars with a heart put heartless governor to shame

Published by Ellen on April 7, 2016

Thanks to KilaBalita for the above video and photo below.

This Governor Emmylou Talino-Mendoza of Cotabato is really something.

I saw her on TV being interviewed on the bloody dispersal of the farmers rally in Kidapawan where at least two people died and many were injured and she expressed no sympathy. She was arrogant.

(Update: At the Senate hearing Thursday some of Mendoza’s arrogance was gone but she gave an impression of an unfeeling government official. She said she was the one who decided” “Police action na.”)

Gabriela Women’s Party 2nd Nominee Arlene Brosas is right when she said, “”Gov. Mendoza has shown no remorse and has even justified the massacre of the poor farmers. Her role in the bloody incident and her attitude afterwards has shown the she is clearly unfit for public service. She must leave and she should take her butcher North Cotabato Police Alexander Tagum with her.”

Published by Ellen on April 4, 2016

Mock poll voting for PWDs at Robinsobs Galleria. Photo by Feona Imperial for VERA Files.

When it was reported that voters could cast their votes in shopping malls this coming elections, I thought it was a good idea.

It’s like going to mass in a mall and proceed to the grocery and shopping afterwards.

I was thinking of the Department of Foreign Affairs putting up passport processing services in malls which remarkably made the application and renewal of passports easy.

My election-lawyer friend said transferring polling places is much more complicated than issuance of passports. I now see that voting in malls was not a well-thought- out idea.

Don’t forget ill persons who are not physically disabled

Published by Ellen on March 31, 2016

PWDs special registration. Photo by Mario Ignacio IV for VERA Files.

The law signed by President Aquino March 23 exempting persons with disabilities from the value-added tax is a whiff of balm in the current toxic (Philippines as money laundering center of the $81 million bank heist and the negative vibes of the election campaign) atmosphere.

The law, Republic Act No. 10754, which amends Republic Act No. 7277, otherwise known as the “Magna Carta for Persons with Disability”, exempts PWDs from the 12 percent VAT, on top of the 20 percent discount they are currently entitled to under the Magna Carta.

The discount applies to transportation fees, medical and laboratory charges, cost of medicines, admission fees in cinemas and other leisure and amusement places, and funeral and burial services.

The House bill was sponsored by Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez in the House of Representatives and in the Senate, by Sen. Sonny Angara.
The PWDs now enjoy the same privileges as senior citizens, an attribute of a compassionate society.

Month: April 2016

Another deafening silence from the President on the Basilan tragedy

Mas malutong ang putang ina mas malakas ang palakpak kay Duterte

PH authorities knew of Subi Reef lighthouse construction 5 years ago

Stars with a heart put heartless governor to shame

Don’t forget ill persons who are not physically disabled