How Leni Robredo and Malacañan crippled Freedom of Information

In less than 40 days, Rodrigo Duterte will become the 16th president of this republic. The road to Malacañan was steep, and his words are largely to blame for it. His honesty about my many flaws and his no-holds-barred rhetoric is seen by some as refreshing, by most as polarizing, if not political suicide. Duterte is a womanizer, a serial cusser, and an iron-fisted ruler. Despite all that (or maybe because of it?), he won the presidential race by landslide.

Two in every five Filipino voters chose Duterte with the full knowledge of what they are getting themselves into. Filipinos have a pretty clear idea of Duterte’s dark side. Filipinos know – and agree with the idea – that their quest for meaningful change will be fraught with potentially major kinks along the way.

But enough of President Duterte, it’s time to talk about Vice-president Leni Robredo.

#KungAkoSiRody: Duterte thwarted “Plan B”. Now what?

I am Rodrigo Duterte and on June 30th, god willing, I will become the 16th president of this republic. Yes, I won the May 9th elections by landslide, despite all the machinations of the ruling Liberal Party [TP: Smartmatic]. Who would have thought that a penniless, foul-mouthed probinsiyano like me would blindside all of my well-prepared rivals? Just imagine all the money they threw out the window, while I managed to get free publicity on Facebook and Twitter.

I hope Mar Roxas’ accountant isn’t contemplating suicide right now [TP: Roxas Campaign Spending].

(In the #KungAkoSiRody article series, ThinkingPinoy attempts to “play the political Game of Thrones” by pretending to be President Rodrigo Duterte.)

#NotSoHoly: CBCP vs Duterte: Sex and Filipino Catholic Priests

Eyebrows rose as then presumptive president-elect Rodrigo Duterte said:

“It’s about time na magklaro-klaro tayo.... Sinong lahat ng bishop dyan? Tumindig kayo. I will tell you the sins of the (Roman) Catholic Church beginning from the the time of the institution of the papacy... Ilang pope ang dumaan dito sa generations...”

#KungAkoSiRody: Duterte Cabinet: I'm 71 and you're still a child to me

I, Rodrigo Duterte, can admit that, at first glance, some of my preliminary cabinet choices do not meet your expectations. Just like past administrations, you were expecting me to appoint martyrs with scot-free reputations. Thus, I can just imagine the shock that you felt after hearing about the first few men that I invited to the fold. News outlets were quick to judge me. They said I am ruffling feathers in my own circle [Rappler], and that I am just appointing KKK or kaibigan, kaklase, kabarilan [Inq].

(In the #KungAkoSiRody article series, ThinkingPinoy attempts to “play the political Game of Thrones” by pretending to be President Rodrigo Duterte.)

#KungAkoSiRody: Duterte and the Political Game of Thrones

It’s Monday, 23 May 2016, and I am presumptive President-elect Rodrigo “Roa” Duterte. A lot of people, especially my staunchest critics, are having a field day right now. But what these idiots still deny is the fact that I have always been at least one step ahead.

(In the #KungAkoSiRody article series, ThinkingPinoy attempts to “play the political Game of Thrones” by pretending to be President Rodrigo Duterte.)

2 Friends talk about BBM Supporters and the Romanticization of Martial Law

Is the resurgence of Marcos supporters attributable to the fact that most of us are children of the lumpenproletariat? Can we immediately expect someone to join a cause that he cannot relate to?

Quantifying Discontent: An Analysis of the Bongbong Marcos Phenomenon

I love chatting with taxi drivers, whom I sometimes get into friendly arguments with, especially when they turn out to be Bongbong Marcos supporters. Their narratives are pretty much the same: life was better during the 70s and 80s. This is confusing for me, because I was taught that the Martial Law era was hell on earth.

How Duterte DPWH Sec. Villar thwarts LP’s "Plan B"

The public was in for a shock today when President-elect Rodrigo Duterte asked Mark Villar to become DPWH secretary [Rappler].

Mark is the son of real estate mogul Manny Villar and Senator Cynthia Villar, the de facto leaders of the Nacionalista Party. While generally considered to be “quiet” politicians in the past several years, the Villars were entangled in the the C-5 Road Extension Scandal [Philstar] during Manny's senatorial stint. Thus, netizens find the title “DPWH Secretary Villlar” oxymoronic.

Even TP was confused. However, after some research, it appears that logic necessitates a DPWH Secretary Mar Villar.

Let TP explain why.

The National Media’s Basic Guide to Rody Duterte

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ThinkingPinoy feels that everyone, especially national media, will need a bit of time to adjust when it comes to “understanding” presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte’s quirks. TP wanted to discuss this during the campaign period, but he felt that there was neither time nor incentive for National Media to understand him.

TP Origins: How a blind HS student created ThinkingPinoy

Many readers ask TP where his crazy patriotism started. He wasn't able to tell them his story because he was too busy writing about pressing national issues. However, now that the election season is almost over, he feels its time to do so.

So let TP tell you how TP became TP.

2 Friends on post-May 9th Roxas, Poe, Duterte, BBM, and Robredo

Two Friends TP and JC evaluate Mar Roxas' campaign and Grace Poe's moment of glory. They also talked about post-election scenarios and the possible fate of the Bongbong Marcos - Leni Robredo saga.

BBM vs Leni: Ñ issue reveals Smartmatic uses obsolete security technology

The 2016 presidential race is practically over after Binay, Roxas, and Poe conceded to Duterte days ago. The battle for the vice-presidency, however, is not.

A Duterte Cabinet like Justin Trudeau's: What's that?

Presumptive President Rody Duterte's transition committee said they'll fill cabinet posts like Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's. What does that mean?

BBM vs Leni: Comelec-Smartmatic gives Sec. Abaya a run for his money

ThinkingPinoy thought no one can beat Abaya when it comes to incompetence… until yesterday. With barely over a month to go before Aquino’s term ends, Comelec-Smartmatic seems to be giving Abaya a run for his money.

BBM vs Leni: Forget Math, Hash Code is the Smoking Gun

The PPCRV count began right after voting precincts closed at 05:00 PM of 09 May 2016. BBM led the race by a wide margin for the first couple of hours and BBM supporters were pretty sure that he will never have to look back. In a surprising twist of fate, however, Leni slowly inched closer and finally overtook BBM in the early morning of 10 May 2016.

Robredo’s camp attributes this to votes from her bailiwicks: Bicol, Iloilo, and ARMM [Robredo]. Marcos, on other hand, suspected electoral fraud [CNN].

BBM accused Leni of cheating. Leni accused BBM of bitterness. It was one side’s word against the other... until a PPCRV IT expert blew the whistle. In plain English, let ThinkingPinoy explain the how this allegedly hash code anomaly was discovered and what allegedly happened.

Inday! I need some popcorn.

Robredo-versus-Marcos and Philippine Society at large

The sheer amount of vitriol thrown across both sides can make most people yearn for a break from social media. From a relatively simple case of cheating allegations (something that really isn’t new), the post May 9th BBM-versus-Leni who-should-win debate has expanded to include Martial Law abuses, essentially bringing the post-May 9th debate back to April 2016.

ThinkingPinoy believes a reframing of the discussion is in order.

2016 Elections: 5 Reported (and Alarming) Cases of Electoral Fraud

There’s fear of massive electoral fraud in every Philippine election: there’s nothing new about that. With social media, however, every concerned citizen with a social media account is now able to broadcast what they actually see and hear. In this article, ThinkingPinoy lists down several pieces of evidence suggesting that electoral fraud may be alive and kicking in 2016.

Why Duterte will win...or how I learned to stop worrying

...or how I learned to stop worrying and began understanding why the the middle class and Imperial Manila are about to elect a foul-mouthed, gun-toting mayor of Mindanao to Malacañan.

Make your vote count! Ganito ang Paraan ng Pagboto sa May 9

Please follow these simple reminders when casting your votes. In addition thereto:

#BangkoSerye: Impeachment after Sampalan sa BPI Julia Vargas? (Part 4 of 4)

In #BangkoSerye: Impeachment after Sampalan sa BPI Julia Vargas? (Part 1 of 4), TP detailed what transpired in BPI Julia Vargas. TP ended that article with a promise of an analysis in Part 2.

In #BangkoSerye: Impeachment after Sampalan sa BPI Julia Vargas? (Part 2 of 4), TP explained that Duterte’s SALN waiver covers all of Trillanes’ accusations. Thus, inaction from the AMLC and the Ombudsman implies the falsehood of Trillanes' accusation.

In #BangkoSerye: Impeachment after Sampalan sa BPI Julia Vargas? (Part 3 of 4), TP played the “What if I am Duterte” game by examining Trillanes’s and Panelo’s statements, and evaluating the events in BPI Julia Vargas. TP stopped midway through point number 6.

In this final article of the Impeachment series, TP will continue where we left off. Let TP put the Duterte hat on again.

#BangkoSerye: Impeachment after Sampalan sa BPI Julia Vargas? (Part 3 of 4)

In #BangkoSerye: Impeachment after Sampalan sa BPI Julia Vargas? (Part 1 of 4), TP detailed Duterte legal counsel Atty. Sal Panelo’s and Sen. Antonio Trillanes’ respective versions of what transpired during their 2-hour meeting with bank personnel at BPI Julia Vargas. TP ended that article with a promise of an analysis in Part 2.

In #BangkoSerye: Impeachment after Sampalan sa BPI Julia Vargas? (Part 2 of 4), TP explained that Duterte’s SALN waiver covers all of Trillanes’ accusations. Now, the vast majority of the alleged transactions happened years ago, so the collective silence of the Ombudsman and the AMLC should’ve filed cases by now, but they didn’t. In short, Trillanes is lying and consequently, there shall be no impeachment case.

In this article, let TP play the “What if I am Duterte” game by examining Trillanes’s and Panelo’s statements, and evaluating the events in BPI Julia Vargas.

TP will pretend to be Rodrigo Duterte.

#BangkoSerye: Impeachment after Sampalan sa BPI Julia Vargas? (Part 2 of 4)

In #BangkoSerye: Impeachment after Sampalan sa BPI Julia Vargas? (Part 1 of 4), TP detailed Duterte legal counsel Atty. Sal Panelo’s and Sen. Antonio Trillanes’ respective versions of what transpired during their 2-hour meeting with bank personnel at BPI Julia Vargas. TP ended that article with a promise of an analysis in Part 2.

That’s what TP will do.

#BangkoSerye: Impeachment after Sampalan sa BPI Julia Vargas? (Part 1 of 4)

ThinkingPinoy can still remember the first time he watched “Legally Blonde”, where he first heard Aristotle’s line, “Law is reason free from passion.” Now that pretty much the entire country is agitated with #BangkoSerye, I think it’s time to evaluate the situation with pure logic and zero emotion.

Let’s go.

TP Investigates survey firm D’Strafford Research & Strategies Inc

On April 20, survey firm D’Strafford Inc. released a non-commissioned presidential pre-electoral survey that showed Roxas and Poe statistically tied at the top spot [Sun.Star]. Netizens were shocked, especially since the results do not match those of well-known survey firms Pulse Asia and SWS, where Roxas consistently ranked either 3rd or 4th among the five presidentiables.

#BangkoSerye: NoCot ex-Guv receives reports on Black Prop Magdalo HQ Bombing

North Cotabato ex-guv claims receiving reports of planned staged bombing of Magdalo HQ;  perpetrators to pin blame on Duterte.

#BangkoSerye: 5 Scenarios in Monday's BPI Julia Vargas Meet (Part 2 of 2)

 Senator Trillanes is about to meet with Duterte legal counsel Atty. Salvador Panelo at 11:00 AM in BPI Julia Vargas in Ortigas, Pasig [Inquirer]. Assuming that Trillanes will bring a sworn affidavit, Panel will finally allow Trillanes and by extension, a public, a peek into his much-debated-upon bank accounts.

What can we, as the public, expect to happen?

Thinking Pinoy can see five (5) possible scenarios. TP has discussed the first 4 in #BangkoSerye: 5 Scenarios in Monday's BPI Julia Vargas Meet (Part 1 of 2) and here’s the second part, where I promised to discuss the most exciting scenario, Scenario 5.

#BangkoSerye: 5 Scenarios in Monday's BPI Julia Vargas Meet (Part 1 of 2)

Alright, the day has finally come. Senator Trillanes is about to meet with Duterte legal counsel Atty. Salvador Panelo at 11:00 AM in BPI Julia Vargas in Ortigas, Pasig [Inquirer]. Assuming that Trillanes will bring a sworn affidavit, Panel will finally allow Trillanes and by extension, a public, a peek into his much-debated-upon bank accounts.

Now, the best question to ask at this point is…

What can we, as the public, expect to happen?

#BangkoSerye: Inday Espina-Varona and ThinkingPinoy tweet about Ellen Tordesillas

ThinkingPinoy tweeted veteran journalist Inday Espina-Varona of ABS-CBN to ask for her opinion on the TP articles “#BangkoSerye: Sonny Trillanes and his Hacker-Friend” and “#BangkoSerye: How close is Tordesillas to Magdalo Hacker Bem Pontejos?”


A twitter conversation ensued.

#BangkoSerye: How close is Tordesillas to Magdalo Hacker Bem Pontejos?

In yestertday's “Sonny Trillanes and his Hacker-Friend”, ThinkingPinoy showed how a random inquiry about journalist Ellen Tordesillas showed a link between the feisty Senator and her. In that article, TP discovered that the Armand Pontejos who serves as EllenTordesillas.com’s webmaster is not only a computer hacker, but also a dismissed Navy lieutenant conspired with Senator Trillanes to stage the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny.

It was clear in the previous article that ThinkingPinoy gave Ellen Tordesillas the benefit of the doubt. After all, even the most experienced journalist can unwittingly be a pawn in this grand power play. However, just like any citizen journalist worth his salt, ThinkingPinoy decided to investigate further Tordesillas’ potential links with Trillanes and the coup plotter Magdalo Group.