Thursday, September 21, 2017

A free world is expensive

RODY orders ban on street drinking. Munich’s Oktoberfest is set to violate the restriction.

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Chief presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza relayed the successful rescue of Fr. Teresito Soganub to the media. One soldier died and several were wounded. Expect CBCP to thank CHR’s Chito Gascon for a job well done.

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UN is running out of sanctions. Nokor not running out of missiles. Nokor’s neighbors are running scared. War of bullies.

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Drug trade is not governed by law of supply and demand. It does not follow that if the demand is nil, supply will cease. With billions of money involved, drug lords will always create the demand no matter what. Easy prey are the youth as users and the poor or unemployed will always be attracted to quick bucks. Equally vulnerable are corrupt cops who need extra money to maintain their extravagant lifestyle supported by fat wallets. Once these people are hooked, they will always work to increase the demand to keep their benefactors alive and well to sustain their normal compensation and addiction.

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An appeal to the following:
Mayors of Sta. Maria and Bocaue, Bulacan, NLEX management, governor of Bulacan, congressman of the 4th district—we badly need another toll entrance/exit to supplement our present Bocaue-Sta. Maria exchange. Entering NLEX takes 30 minutes to one hour.

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Bad driving habits of tricycles, pedicabs and motorcycles:
– overtaking on the right side even on corners when a car is about to make a right turn.

– occupying more than their allotted space as if they’re driving a dump truck.

– they never look at their side mirrors.

– they use their foot to signify a left turn.

– they make “balagbag” too, worse than buses.

– they rarely use their brakes and expect cars to slow down and give way.

– they never care for potholes while passengers accumulate headbumps.

– they usually overload and overcharge when there’s just one passenger.

– they drive as if their time is more important than everyone else’s.

– on national roads, they arrogantly occupy car lanes even if there are service lanes.

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Toys ‘R’ Us files for US bankruptcy protection as online competition bites. We in Southeast Asia should assume the trademark everytime the POTUS and Kim Jon-un are both in a playful mood.

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The UP Beta Sigma Fraternity condemns hazing and violence in the campus. We recruit members who will be icons of productivity and academic excellence. We are currently the trailblazers in the field of environmental protection and health assistance.

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Government work and classes in public and private schools are suspended after President Duterte declared Thursday, September 21, a “National Day of Protest”. With the suspension of classes, movie theaters are not protesting.

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News: Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno has been directed by her colleagues in the Supreme Court to respond to a lawyer’s plea to release her psychiatric and psychological evaluation results. Sereno was given five days to comment on the request of lawyer Lorenzo Gadon, who has filed an impeachment complaint against her before the House of Representatives.

– Do not be mistaken. No, she is not filing an annulment of her marriage to the high tribunal by reason of psychological incapacity.

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Entire Caloocan police force sacked – NCRPO. Police Director Oscar Albayalde is right. BandAid is not the cure to a recurring illness.

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After a decade, construction of MRT-LRT Common Station to begin in September.

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Sen. Richard Gordon is right in slamming the delay in the destruction of the almost 900 kilograms of illegal drugs seized in San Juan last December. He was shocked to know that the judiciary is sitting on the case.

I cannot blame him for his outrage. While his committee was constantly pounding on law enforcement agencies in fast-tracking investigations and speedy filing of cases, the judicial body assigned is strolling in the park without any sense of urgency. One can almost smell that “justice delayed is justice for sale”.

“PDEA files drug raps vs Faeldon, 11 BOC execs over smuggled shabu.”

“Expel Lacson, Faeldon asks Senate.”

Democracy is overworked. Taxpayers’ fatigue is an expected result.

Lawmakers should not seek “special treatment,” says Palace. It’s unfair. They should treat “special members” with kindness as they need medical help.

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I have been a ramen lover all my life. I have to share what I googled in case you want to try preparing one.

“5 Expert Tips for Making the Perfect Bowl of Ramen

1. It’s all about the noodles and broth. Focus on getting your broth full of flavor and richness, and take your time doing it. If you’re not making noodles from scratch, source the best possible ones you can find and buy them fresh.

2. Flavor and body in the broth come from lots of ingredients.

3. Never season your broth.

4. Never salt the ramen noodle cooking water.

5. Cook the noodles properly. Undercooked noodles will be floury and tough, but overcooked noodles will be soggy and pasty. Cook your noodles at the last second when everything else is ready, keep a watchful eye on the time, and make sure you keep tasting the noodles so that the second they are ready, they come out of the water.”

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There was a statement relayed that the House justice committee is inclined to view the impeachment complaint against Comelec Chairman Andy Bautista as “dismissable”. Rejecting the complaint will give Mr. Bautista a breathing space of another year before any similar complaint is allowed. What is going on, Mr. Rey Umali? Is the “small lady” bothering you again?

Good work, good deeds and good faith to all.

http://www.manilatimes.net/free-world-expensive/351824/

MPIC likely to be granted original proponent status on MRT rehab – DOTr

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) will likely be granted the original proponent status for the takeover and rehabilitation of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said the firm’s proposal on the rehabilitation, operations and maintenance of the MRT will be submitted to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) for approval.

“There will be discussion and agreement, then it will be submitted to NEDA. If the NEDA and the President approve it, there will be a Swiss Challenge,” Tugade said in an interview with reporters on the sidelines of an event last week.

The Swiss challenge procurement mode provides an opportunity for companies to make competing offers while giving the original proponent a chance to match them.

The Transportation chief further said MPIC’s offer has provided the department a platform to explore possibilities including privatization to address the issues in MRT-3.

The consortium of MPIC and Ayala Corporation has recently submitted its proposal to the DOTr which would involve an investment of P12 billion to rehabilitate the train systems of the MRT and take over its operations for a period of 32 years.

The consortium is likewise eyeing to buy out the government’s stake in the railway system held by the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines as well as other shareholders.

Should it be granted original proponent status and hurdle the Swiss challenge, it expects to take over the MRT operations by early next year.

The rehabilitation, operations and maintenance would be pursued through a separate special purpose vehicle similar to the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC).

LRMC, which operates the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) and is responsible for the extension of the train system all the way to Cavite, is composed of MPIC’s Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp., Ayala Corp.’s AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) PTE Ltd.

http://www.interaksyon.com/mpic-likely-to-be-granted-original-proponent-status-on-mrt-rehab-dotr/

Businesswoman-socialite embraces spirituality

Aida M. Posadas, who was once dubbed the “Original Ballroom Dancing Queen,” now lives a quiet life out of the limelight. If in the past, she was always written about in newspapers and magazines (even appearing on the covers of some), these days she is a homebody into gardening and yoga.

In a recent interview, she said that the 360-degrees turnabout in her life was caused by her spiritual awakening. While she still attends to her business endeavors, one of them the restaurant-bar and nightclub 19 East in Sucat, ParaƱaque (which her son lawyer-musician Wowee manages), she is now more focused on God.

“I focused on God, and I’m more focused on Him now. I’ve come to realize that if you fixed your sights on Him, peace and bliss will dwell in you. Simple bliss from God makes me happy, blessed and peaceful. I can say that right now, I am fulfilled spiritually,” Aida said.

Described as “a woman of substance and wellness” in an article included in the coffee table book “Magandang Filipina” by Reynaldo Gamboa Alejandro, Aida was 35 years old when her husband, a commercial pilot, died in a plane crash while bringing Japanese tourists to Sicogon Island. Nine years after, her daughter Cherrylen who was taking up Physical Therapy at UP Manila, died of leukemia.

She also wasn’t liked by her in-laws, prompting us to say her like story is movie material.

Anyway, going back to spiritual matters, Aida said she believes in the teachings of Buddha, Allah, Sai Baba (Hindu spiritual leader), the Catholic Church, even the Born Again Christian groups, and Amma, 63, dubbed the “hugging Saint Of India,” who she has met and hugged and who told her “mahal kita anak.” Aida said she is a devotee of Amma who turns a year older on Sept. 27. When she was in Singapore, she bought 20 books about Amma. From her, Aida learned that God is pure consciousness, God is pure awareness.

“They are the same, the more aware you are, the more conscious you are and vice versa…” she claimed.

Amma (Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi)has for the past 40 years dedicated her life to the uplift of suffering humanity through the simplest of gestures – an embrace. In this intimate manner, Amma has blessed and consoled more than 30 million people throughout the world. In 2002, she was bestowed the Gandhi-King Award for Non-Violence.

“I really admire Amma’s spiritual practices and philosophy,” Aida stressed.

She would also like to be of service to the needy, but in her own way and directly to those who would seek her help.

“I’d do whatever God likes me to do.”

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Sept. 21, go to former Comelec Chairman Ben Abalos, multi-awarded director Joel Lamangan, Ogee Atos, Anne Tiangco, Luis Secillano, Jake Ramirez, Drs. Pacita Pabalate, Eustaquio Medalla and Albert Fenix Jr., Mica Francisco, Arnold Perez, Alfredo Lozano, Trizia Lazatin, Bernie Gozon, Jerry Olea of Abante Tonite, Erwin E. Estaura of Guam, Monette Gallego, Abigail B. Ortiz, Carol Yap, Linda Lacsina, Baby Castro, Eugene Asis of People’s Journal, Carlo Agbuya, Rosalie Bernardo Tafalle, Jennifer Medina, Marco Tuason, Aurora Gahol, Valerie Rivera and Angelo Patrimonio of Star Magic…Sept. 22: Ms. Nene Leonor, Dolly Anne Carvajal, Elizabeth Cristobal, Mrs. Baby Liban, Violy Sevilla, Marg Hubilla-Ordiales, Jinia Samad, Rashid Mathew Dayot, Cristina Tan Yao, Emmie Domingo of Filscap, Pitay Reyes-Vitan, Nicky Tesoro, Cristina Francisco of PCSO GM’s office, Martin D. Bautista, Ivy Valencia, Hong Hai, Joy Saberola-Arrogante, Bong De Leon, restauranteur Emer Ibabao, Kiko Matos, Nicky Tesoro and Caroline Riggs of Star Magic…