Pulong wants MRP done the right way

Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Z. Duterte is not opposing the continuance of the Mindanao Railway Project which was crafted by the past administration of his father, Rodrigo Duterte, and will allegedly be continued by the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The young congressman however said that the national government must look into several complaints and acccusation of anomalies by some residents affected by the planned project.

For this, Rep. Duterte along with Benguet lone district Rep. Eric Yap filed House Resolution (HR) No.286, which calls for a congressional investigation on the proposed MRP, specifically on the way the Department of Transportation (DOTr) carried out its right-of-way acquisitions and expropriation of private properties to be affected by the rail line.

Rep. Duterte said that he received numerous complaints from Davao City residents whose residences would be directly affected by the proposed railway line.

He said the proposed MRP rail line would pass through densely populated areas in Davao City, “without the appropriate geological surveys or proper public consultations with the affected communities”.

Duterte and Yap however acknowledged in their resolution that the MRP “will not only make travel faster, but also safer, more convenient and comfortable for passengers in the said corridor”.

Rep. Duterte however added that the complaints must also be given weight especially on the report that “there are variations in the offers for acquisition of right-of-way or expropriation of the private properties by the DOTr and/or its contractors, sub-contractors, or other service providers.”

“These variations in offers have substantial discrepancies from the actual Zonal Value or Fair Market Value of the properties affected,” the two congressmen said.

Though not naming names, Rep. Duterte said there were also reports that some politicians bought vast parcel of lands where the rail line will be constructed at a cheap price and are now selling it to the government ten times or more than the original price.

It was learned that the Barangay Catalunan Grande in Davao City has already passed a resolution opposing the MRP as it would affect several residences in their barangay and would “result to undue safety and health hazard, as well as noise pollution, to name a few.”

“There is a need to properly determine the correct and appropriate manner of identifying the areas where the MRP will traverse in order to ensure public safety and welfare while still being able to pursue the MRP for sustained growth and development in the region,” Reps. Duterte and Yap said in filing HR No.286.

Rep. Duterte and Yap said the probe will “ensure transparency and accountability on the use of public funds while always keeping in mind the safety and welfare of the general populace in the delivery of public services”.

Back in the 18th Congress, the two congressmen also filed a similar call for a probe.

The three-phase MRP covers 1,530 kilometers of circumferential and spur rail lines that will connect several areas in Mindanao like the Davao provinces, Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro City, General Santos City, and Zamboanga.

Phase 1 of the MRP (Tagum-Davao-Digos segment) is a 105-km line that is expected to reduce travel time from Davao del Norte to Davao del Sur from 3.5 hours to just 1.3 hours. It will have eight stations: Tagum, Carmen, Panabo, Mudiang, Davao Terminal, Toril, Sta. Cruz, and Digos. A 10-hectare depot will be built in Tagum City. (PR)

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VP-elect Sara statement on Raissa Robles’s irresponsible and discriminatory views of Mindanao and the Mindanawons

The views expressed by Raissa Robles on Mindanao in reaction to the plan of incoming Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco to develop the region as a tourist destination are replete with journalistic recklessness and irresponsibility — something that calls for our collective condemnation as it grossly discriminated against all Mindanawons, especially those living in Moro communities.

What Robles did was a demonization of Mindanao and an insult to its people, who also deserve to experience the gains of the Duterte administration over the past six years. Robles clearly wanted to undervalue everything that the Duterte administration has done in keeping the peace and security in Mindanao and ensuring that concerns caused by terrorist organizations, including kidnap for ransom groups, are addressed appropriately with the help of local governments and leaders of communities.

Since 2016, the kidnapping operations by ASG in Mindanao have been significantly reduced compared to the previous years — and the authorities have successfully rescued all victims.

In Basilan, as confirmed by Rep. Mujiv Hataman himself, there had been zero kidnapping incidents since President Duterte came into office.

All other incidents concerning ASG had been about the arrests and surrenders of their members and leaders.

As a Filipino, Robles should be ashamed of herself for dangerously trying to stoke and encourage terrorist groups to target tourists in Mindanao.

Vice President-Elect Sara Z. Duterte
June 4, 2022

Bong Go confirms PRRD-BBM meeting

Says PDP-Laban endorsement is a party-decision

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, on Wednesday, March 23, confirmed the meeting between President Rodrigo Duterte and presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos during an interview after his monitoring visit of the Malasakit Center and turnover of financial assistance from the Office of the President at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City.

Go said that the two had a productive meeting, with Duterte sharing his experiences with Marcos as an outgoing president of the country and even giving him advise during their discussions.

“Maganda naman po ang resulta ng meeting. Medyo matagal-tagal nga ‘yon at talagang ganado ‘yung Pangulo na magkuwento. I think about 80% ng discussion ay more on si Presidente po ang nagsasalita,” shared the senator.

“And he shared his experience po… as president sa mga nakaraan. Ito, nagbigay siya ng mga kaunting payo, mga ginawa niya para sa ating bayan ay sana po’y ipagpatuloy ng kung sino man po ‘yong magiging susunod na Pangulo,” he added.

Go also mentioned that the meeting was one of the factors that led to the ruling party, the PDP-Laban, endorsing Marcos’ candidacy after various talks and consultations.

“Malamang ‘yon po ang naging isa sa naging dahilan, pero dumaan po ‘yon sa konsultasyon at proseso,” said Go.

“It’s a party decision po. So, ibig sabihin dumaan sa proseso, pinag-usapan, nagkonsultasyon sa iba’t ibang miyembro ng PDP at majority ang nakapag-decide kung sino po ‘yung ina-adopt at susuportahan. So, it’s a party decision po,” he added.

The senator then expressed his hope for unity within the party when it comes to endorsing candidates in the upcoming elections.

“Being a member po ng PDP ay sana iisa po ang magiging direksyon ng lahat ng miyembro ng partido,” said Go.

“Kasi para naman po sa akin, para po sa akin personally as PDP member, kung sino po ‘yung makapagpatuloy ng magagandang programa ni Pangulong Duterte, […] iyon po ang gusto kong suportahan. At kung sino po ‘yung talagang ‘yung direksyon niya is ipagpatuloy, huwag sirain ‘yung momentum na naumpisahan na natin,” he added.

When asked about the state of the political party system in the country, Go speculated that existing political affiliations would change after Duterte’s term, saying that this is a reality of Philippine politics.

“After President Duterte, sa tingin ko watak-watak na rin ‘yan, Gano’n naman talaga that’s the reality of Philippine politics and our party system dito sa ating bansa,” said Go.

“At kahit kailan, kung sino ‘yung president sila ‘yung ruling party. After papalitan ng panibagong presidente ‘yon na naman ang magiging ruling party. So that’s the reality of Philippine politics,” he added.

Bong Go shares realizations about PH politics as PRRD’s term nears end

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Wednesday, March 9, shared some of his realizations about politics in the country as he revealed that President Rodrigo Duterte has started packing his belongings in preparation for his departure from the Malacañang Palace.

In an ambush interview after he visited fire victims in Baseco Port Area, Manila City, Go shared the differences he witnessed between the time Duterte was set to move to Malacañang at the start of his term, and now as he prepares to leave.

“Alam niyo ang pinakamahirap sa lahat ‘yung pagliligpit na, ‘yung pauwi ka na. Noong unang panahon ang dami mong kasama pagpasok, ang daming gustong tumulong, nagpe-presinta,” noted Go.

“Pagpalabas na, mapapansin mo na unti-unti na pong nawawala rin ang gustong tumulong. Sine-secure na po nila ang kanilang sarili at naiintindihan naman namin. Well that is politics,” he added.

The senator said that the President himself has accepted this reality of life and politics, saying, “Unti-unti na rin po niyang natatanggap dahil ganoon naman po talaga ang buhay, bilog. Minsan dito ka, at naranasan na po niya ang ganoong buhay.”

“Naging Mayor, bumaba as Vice Mayor, umangat as Mayor at naging Pangulo. Alam na po niya ‘yung reality of life,” he continued.

A Davao City native himself, Go also remarked that the President would have to bring back everything they brought into the Palace as the latter prepares for life beyond politics.

“Hindi naman kami mga taga-Maynila na nandidito lang po ang aming mga tirahan. So kailangan ring magligpit dalhin sa … kung anong dinala mo ng papunta rito, ‘yun din ‘yung bubuhatin mo pauwi,” said Go.

“Mas mabuti na ‘yung nasanay ka na sa buhay ng retirement, ‘yun po ang inaantabayanan ng ating Pangulo,” he added.

Nevertheless, Go maintained that Duterte will continue to execute his duties as President, ensuring that no time is lost in serving the Filipino people until the end of his term.

“He will definitely continue to work until the last day of his term,” emphasized the senator in earlier interviews.

Go went on to say that Duterte is ensuring a seamless transition of power for the next administration.

“Gusto rin niyang siguraduhing maayos ang transition patungo sa susunod na administrasyon ng kung sino man ang pipiliin ng taumbayan sa halalan,” remarked Go.

Tupas files cyber libel complaint vs. Walden Bello

Former Davao City Information Officer Jefry Tupas formally lodged cyber libel case against vice presidential aspirant Walden Bello on Monday afternoon before the Davao City Prosecutor’s Office.

In a statement read by Tupas, herself, she said that what Bello said during his press conference was “baseless, below-the-belt, hurtful, disparaging, and damaging”.

“Mr. Walden Bello’s attack against me online resulted in a deluge of people attacking me online. As of now, the posts remain available and viewed and shared around by people – and we could only surmise that many of them are convinced that I am what Mr. Walden Bello has said I am. To them, Mr. Walden Bello’s version of the truth about me is the truth about me,” Tupas said.

She said that Bello should be taught a lesson for the unimaginable damage the latter has given her.

Jefry Tupas

“ People like Mr. Walden Bello must be taught a lesson – that they cannot, as they should not be allowed to, run away with their actions and words that destroy the lives of private citizens like me,” she added.

Tupas’ lawyer, Atty. Caesar S. Europa said that even if Bello will ask for an apology it will not change anything and the case will still continue.

“If he ask for apology it can be (seen as an admission of guilt),” Europa said.

Atty. Caesar Europa