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Unmasking The Tyrant Part 2

Unmasking The Tyrant Part 2

Duterte's Hidden Wealth

Unmasking a Tyrant

Ang Katotohan Sa Likod Ng 64B Shabu Shipment

The Making of a Modern Day Warrior Princess

Unknown to many is the story of a low keyed intelligence officer in the military

who refused to 'dance with the tune' as most of his fellow officers did during the Martial Law regime. This principled military officer was aghast at how democracy is being blatantly trampled and the people vocally opposing the regime being jailed or mercilessly murdered with the women being raped even.

Unable to take the abuses anymore, he secretly joined an underground movement that resisted the dictatorship. He was known in the underground as 'Ka Rass. He knew it was a great risk to his life and his family but he deep in his heart, he also knew he had to do something to help end the dictatorship.

One day, he was assigned to be part of a military unit that was tasked to cart away gold bars from the Central Bank and ship them abroad. He refused to be part of it and that was when the other officers became suspicious of him. He was shadowed from then on. And since he was privy to the plan to ship gold bars out of the country, they wanted to silence him for good.

And so it happened. A group of unidentified men carted him off one day. He was found later on with a bullet wound in his head and 142 stab wounds all over his body.

Days before this happened, the young officer already sensed that he is marked for liquidation. And so he called for his daughter to prepare her for such a likelihood. The daughter who is now known as Ka Sesa Digma among today's progressive groups fighting for truth and justice can  and will never forget that night she had her last embrace with her father before he was murdered. The incident made a deep dent on her young mind. But more important, it imbued in her the same patriotism, the same fervent spirit to champion freedom.

This is Warrior Princess' own account of that 'last embrace' she had with her father:

THE LAST EMBRACE FROM MY FATHER
By: Warrior Princess

Twenty Nine years ago at around this time, when my brother suddenly appeared in my boarding house door. He said he came to fetch me as ordered by our father. I was hesitant to go home, I was preparing for my final exams but my brother was adamant that I must go home urgently. We left the town and we started our journey home. When we arrived home, from a distance I saw my smiling Papa waiting for us at the gate. I got off the vehicle and I came running to catch his open arms. I asked him what the urgency was and he said I miss you my warrior princess. I thought it was silly of him to pull me out of my school but I was glad to be home.

My mom said ‘lunch is ready’ and so my entire family feasted on tinolang native na manok. After our meal, our maids together with my mom left our farm cottage and took with them the rest of my siblings as per my father’s wishes. Papa started to hum the guitar and we started jamming his favourite patriotic songs but ‘Bayan Ko’ was the most touching of all. After the music session, my father started talking to me. He talked about democracy and why he fought against the Marcos tyranny. He said as a man in uniform, he sworn to serve the people and that his love for his country was absolute. To see my freedom secured, to give my family a new hope is an additional bonus. He lectured me about the importance of freedom, he talked about his life as a political prisoner and those who were jailed with him. He talked about Ninoy and the rest of the VIP political prisoners whom he shared the cell with. He talked about their struggles behind bars and their dreams as soon as they become free. It was like a lecture session while he was brushing up to me the dictatorship era and Edsa Revolution. He apologized for taking me to his underground operations and for exposing me to the dangerous work that he was doing for the country. He asked me to speak up and to say honestly what I thought of what he did. I asked him why me and his answer was because I have that warrior’s spirit & bravery just like him. He stood up and grabbed his caliber 45 and he passed me another gun. We started to shoot at the target range and we had so much fun. When we got tired of shooting, we went inside the cottage. My father sat beside me and said something that I could never forget for the rest of my life. In his words he said ‘there are 3 things I want you to promise me my princess’

1. When I am gone, be strong for your mom and siblings
2. You will keep the secrets that I entrusted you
3. No matter what happens, protect democracy at all cost

My father made me swear to God and so I did. He opened his arms, he embraced me tightly and touched my hair. He said ‘you know where the guns are kept, use it if the need arise’. He kissed my forehead and told me he had a political meeting to attend to at 5pm. All of a sudden I started to get worried so I begged him to stay. He asked me to calm down and that I have no reasons to be scared. Papa hugged me once more and I was clinging hardly until he got away from me. I wanted to run after him but my mom came out and shhhh me. Little did I know that what comes next would change my life forever.

At 10pm my Papa’s bodyguards arrived in our house, they brought a shocking news that my father was taken away. Our personnel left the house to help find my father's whereabout but they could not find any trace of him but they came across the scattered blood by the pathway. A few hours passed by before my family’s private guards were able to locate my missing father. He was gruesomely murdered (salvaged) and dumped in the canals of a nearby farmland. His body bore a total of 142 stab wounds and a bullet wound to his head. His stomach organs scattered as well as his brains. They took his cadaver to the morgue where my mom and uncle went to claim his remains after few hours.

As a 13 year old kid, I learned to become tough right at that moment. For weeping is a sign of weakness and weakness I can’t show to my siblings. I gathered our belongings, ready to go at any minute. My 15 year old brother went rampaged, he left the house and took 1 of my father’s gun. I was the oldest left in the house and with a 5 yrs old and 3 yrs old brothers and a baby sister. My head was spinning at that time and was thinking of what was to come next. Will my father’s enemies come to finish us all? What should I do to protect my siblings? I was getting ready for any eventuality until I heard the cars at the gate. To my delight, it was my family’s vehicles who came to fetch us from our house. I was told that we have to evacuate immediately and will never return there. We left right away and that was the last time I had a glimpse of that home. To this day, I loathe the way I lost my father. I could not bear to set my foot to revisit the place where his life was taken away. I can't move on, how can I? The Marcos loyalists who did it to my father have escaped the law of man. I'm trying to live my incomplete life knowing that God will give us the justice in the end. Papa it’s been 29 yrs since you were taken away from us but every single day I still long for you. You said I should accept whatever will happen to you and I said yes... but the fact is I could not. I know that if given a chance, you will still do what you did for Inangbayan and I will still live fatherless just like today. Acceptance is hard but my consolation is knowing that you fulfilled your dreams for me and for your country. You’ve been a great democratic warrior Pa but above all you are the greatest dad I know and I am so proud of you! I will always cherish your memories and as I promised you, I will continue what you started. I will fulfil my promises to you Pa, I will be as patriotic as you!

Traders' Hub: Coalition of Freedom Loving Filipinos Condemns Chinese Intrusion at Benham Rise

Traders' Hub: Coalition of Freedom Loving Filipinos Condemns Chinese Intrusion at Benham Rise

Coalition of Freedom Loving Filipinos Condemns Chinese Intrusion at Benham Rise

Last March 24, 2017, a protest rally was staged by DAMPI (Democratic Alliance Movement of the Philippines International), a coalition of different groups of freedom loving Filipinos based here and abroad. The rally was spearheaded by the Regents, one of the most active groups in the coalition together with the Amazing Light. The four hour activity commenced with a silent protest march which started from the Ayala Triangle Garden at the center of the country's premier business district. It then passed through part of busy Ayala Avenue before proceeding to the New World Center Building at Horacio dela Costa Avenue where the Chinese Consulate is located.

The group is protesting the Chinese intrusion at Benham Rise which is part of the continental shelf of the Philippines and falls within the exclusive economic zone of the country. The rally also condemned the treasonous act of the president who publicly admitted that he secretly gave China permission to enter Benham Rise and conduct exploratory surveys in the area. They also decried the defeatist attitude of the president who said he won't go to war against the bigger China to protect a small part of the country.

Afraid that China may once again illegally claim and build structures at Benham Rise just as it did at the Panatag Shoal (West Philippine Sea), members of the DAMPI coalition decided to bring their protest on the streets of Makati and in front of  the Chinese Consulate.

Here are some scenes of the rally:

“Ang Nagbabadyang Unos”

May nakaamba na namang isang panganib sa ating bansa, isang nagbabadyang unos na unti unting kumikitil sa ating kalayaan at patuloy na yumuyurak sa karapatang pantao ng mamamayang Pilipino. Isang unos na naglalayong ibalik tayong muli sa malagim na nakalipas ng isang mala-diktaduryang pamahalaan.

Walong buwan pa lamang ang nakalilipas mula ng maupo bilang bagong pangulo ng bansa si Rodrigo Duterte ay nasadlak na agada ng buong kapuluan sa isang nakakarimarim na kalagayan. Sa loob ng maikling panahon na ito ay nagmistulang isang malaking libingan ang kalunsuran kung saan araw araw ay nagkalat ang mga patay na pawang mga biktima ng inilunsad na guera laban sa iligal na droga ni Duterte.

Paano Siya Nahalal

Si Duterte ay nakakuha ng mahigit na 16 milyong boto mula sa halos 50 milyong Pilipinong lumabas upang bumoto noong nakaraang halalan. Datapwat mas marami sa mga ito ay hindi bumoto kay Duterte, siya pa rin ang pinalad na manalo. dahil marahil sa pagkakawatak watak ng hanay ng mga kalaban niya kung kayat naiwang hati hati ang kanilang mga boto. Pero, lingid sa kaalaman ng sambayanang Pilipino, at taliwas sa mga naunang pahayag ni Duterte na wala siyang sapat na salapi para maglunsad ng isang malawakang kampanya, siya pala ay palihim na sinuportahan at pinondohan ng pamilyang Marcos at ng mga alipores nila. Isang katotohanan na itinago niya ng panahon ng kampanya ngunit inamin din niya kalaunan matapos siyang mahalal bilang pangulo.

Kasama na rin sa mga nagbigay suporta sa kanya noong nakaraang halalan ang mga politikong naakusahan ng pandarambong ng isulong ng nakaraang administrasyon ang kampanya laban sa katiwalian lubhang laganap na sa pamahalaan. Ang iba nga sa mga ito ay nakakulong pa hangang sa ngayon at nagaantay na lamang na palayain sila ni Duterte bilang kabayaran sa suportang ibinigay nila ditto noong nakaraang halalan.

Di rin naman natin maitatatwa na nakahatak din si Duterte ng suporta mula sa hanay ng mga masang noong mga panahon na iyon ay hindi pa nararamdaman ang mga pagbabagong isinulong ng nakaraang administrasyon. Ang suporta ng isang malaking bahagi ng masa para kay Duterte ay bunsod ng mga pangako niya na magdadala ito ng tunay na pagbabagong mararamdaman di lamang ng nakaririwasa pero lalot higit ng mga mahihirap. Ang plataporma niyang susugpuin and kahirapan at wawakasan ang lumalalang problema sa iligal na droga ang wari’y nakaantig sa puso ng mga ito.

Ang pagiging malapit niya sa puso ng masa ay bunsod ng maling paniniwala nila sa tunay na pagkatao ni Duterte. Inakala nila na isangg ordinaryong tao si Duterte tulad nila. Pinapalakpan nila ang pagmumura nito dahil para sa kanila ay ordinary lang ito. Maging ang kabastusang ipinamamalas niyasa kababaihan ay kanila pang ipinagbubunyi. Sa isip nila, totoong tao si Duterte at isa itong laki sa hirap na napapamura kung naggagalit at may kabastusan ang paguugali. Para sa kanila ay may pagasang umusbong na magaahon sa kanila sa kahirapan sa katauhan ni Duterte.

At habang ang supporta kay Duterte ng mahigit na 16 milyong Pilipinong naniwala sa kanyang mga pangako ay nanatiling buo hanggang sa araw ng halalan, ang hanay naman ng mga botanteng ayaw sa kanya ay nagkahahati dahil na rin sa di pagkakaunawaan ng kani kanilang mga kandidato -  ang ilan sa kanila ay pansariling ambisyon lamang ang isinusulong. Imbes na magkaisang labanan si Duterte na noong panahon nay un ay patuloy namang namamamayagpag sa lahat ng isinagawang surveys bago ang halalan, minarapat nilang habulin ang kanikanilang ambisyon at pangarap na maging pangulo ng bansa. Ito ang nagmistulang susi para makamit ni Duterte ang inaasamasam na tagumpay.

Ang Muling Umusbong ang Kroniyismo

Bago pa man pormal na naupo bilang pangulo si Duterte ay nagsimula na niiyang ilatag ang isang maitim na senaryo ng kanyang panunungkulan. Isang plano na magbabalik sa atin sa panahon ng diktadurya. Isang plano na yuyurak sa karapatang pantao ng mga Pilipino at susupil sa ating kalayaang mamahayag ng ating damdamin at kuro kuro.

Sa mga unang araw ng kanyang panunungkulan ay ipinunla na niya agad ang nakakasulasok na sungay ng kroniyismo kung saan inilagay niya sa puesto sa ibat ibang sangay ng pamahalaan bilang kabayaran sa pagtulong ng mga ito noong panahon ng halalan – may tamang kaulipikasyon at karanasan man sila o wala.. Di siya nagaksaya ng panahong hubugin ang ng isang kongreso at isang senado na magiging sunud sunuran sa lahat ng kanyang kagustuhan. Binuo niya ang isang lehislatura kung saan ang naging mayorya ay di lang binubuo ng kanyang mga kaalyado sa politica kundi maging na rin ng mga trapong kongresista at senador na nagtalunan sa kanilang bakod upang makasigurong meron silang magandang paglalagyan sa pamahalaan ni Duterte. Kasama na sa mga trapong nangibang bakod ang mga kongresista at senador na tumakbo at nanalo sa ilalim at tulong ng nakaraang administrasyon. Mga kongresista na nooy hayagang nakikipaglaban para pangalagaan ang demokrasya subalit ngayon ay kinalimutan na ang kani kanilang mga prinsipyo upang tikom-bibig na maging animo alipin na sunud sunuran sa lahat ng kagustuhan ng pangulo nila.

Sa madaling salita, pinuno niya ang lahat ng sangay ng ehekutibo at legislatura ng kanyang mga galamay upang walang maging sagabal na maipatupad niya ang maitim niyang ipasailalim tayo sa isang mala-diktaduryang pamamahala.

Ang Patuloy na Pagpapatahimik sa Opposisyon

At tulad nga ng inaasahan, wala ni katiting mang kahihiyan ang mga alipores niya sa kongreso ang mistulang pagiging sunod sunurang mga alipin sa kagustuhan ng kanilang pangulo nang agaran nilang ipinasa ang isang panukalang batas na muling magbabalik sa parusang kamatayan sa bansa na siyang kagustuhan ng pangulo. Ito ay ginawa nila kahit hindi dumaan ang nasabing panukala sa masusing pagsisiyasat at tamang pagbabalangkas. Ang masaklap ay sinangayunan nila ang nasabing panukalang batas kahit may umiiral pang kasunduang na nilagdaan ng Pilipinas kasama ang ibang bansa na nag kokondena sa parusang kamatayan. Nakapaloob sa kasunduang ito ang isang pangako na di na ito ibabalik pang muli ang parusang kamatayan sa kanikanilang bayan. Ang nakalulungkot lang ay karamihan sa mga kongresistang sumangayon sa panukalang kamatayan na ito ay nagpadala sa takot na baka mawala sila sa pabor ng pangulo at bawiin ang mga pondong ngayo’y nasa kanilang pangangalaga. Matatandaan na nagbabala ang punong kongreso (speaker) na aalisin niya sa pamamahala ng ibat ibang komote sa congreso ang sino mang di sumangayon sa panukala.

Ang Pagsupil sa Mga Tumataliwas sa Kanyang mga Patakaran

Hindi rin siya nagatubiling bigyan ng babala sa lahat ng mga tumutuligsa sa kanya at sa kanyang pamamaraan ng pamamahala na hindi niya niya pahihintulutan may sumalungat sa kanyang mga kagustuhan. Isang araw bago ipagdiwang ng bansa ang EDSA31 bilang pag gunita sa pagkaka lansag natin sa rehimeng Marcos sa pamamagitan ng mapayapang paraan ay ipinakulong niya si Senador Leila Delima (ang pinaka masugid niyang kritiko na hindi lulubay sap ag puna sa mag maling kalakarang kanyang pinaiiral mula pa ng mayor siya ng lungsod ng Davao).

Ipinaaresto at ipinakulong niya si Senador Delima base lamang sa nakadududang mga sinumpaang salaysay ng ilang nahatulan ng mga kriminal. Mga salaysay na nagsasabing kinikilan daw sila ng senadora para may pang pondo ito sa kanyang pagtakbo bilang isang senador noong nakaraang halalan. Lubhang kaduda duda ang mga salaysay na ito dahil ang nagging kapalit ng pagtestigo nila laban sa senador ay ang pagpapawalang bisa sa mga kaso laban sa kanila kung saan sila’y nahatulan.

Ito ay malinaw na pangigipit sa senadora sapagkat ang kasong isinampa sa kanya ay pangangalakal sa bawal na gamot -  isang kasong hindi puedeng piyansahan. Kung susuriin natin ang isinumite nilang salaysay sa korte, malinaw na simpleng kaso lamang ng pangingikil and nararapat na isampa laban sa senador. Pero, dahil ang salang pangingikil ay may kaakibat na piyansa, minarapat nilang sampahan ang senador ng mas malubhang akusasyon kung saan hindi siya puedeng magpiyansa. Ito ay Malaya nilang nagawa dahil hawak nila ang ibat ibang sangay ng maruming hudikatura.

Kapansin pansin din ang di nila pagsasa alang alang sa katotohanang si Senador Delima lamang ang kaisaisa at natatanging pinuno ng departamento ng hudikatura na nakadiskubre at walang takot na bumuwag sa laganap na kalakaran ng iligal na droga sa loob ng pambansang piitan kasama na ditto and pagsisiwalat at pag papatigil sa marangyang pamumuhay ng mga pasimuno nitong iligal na kalakaran sa loob ng piitan. Hindi ba kadudadua na ang mismong mga nasagasaan ng senador sa loob ng piitan ang siya mismong nagdidiin sa kanya sa mga iligal na gawaing na ito?

Hindi rin nagaksaya ng panahon ang mga kaalyado ni Duterte sa senado na takutin at patahimikin ang iba pang senador na sumasalungat sa kagustuhan ng pangulo. Kaya tatlong araw lang matapos maipakulong nila si Senador Delima ay inalis nila sa puesto bilang tagapangasiwa ng ibat ibang kumiteng dati’y pinamumunuan nila ang ilan pang senador na ang mali lang naman kung ito may isang pagkakamali ay ang manindigan sa kanilang mga prinsipyo at dumalo sa pagdaraos ng pagdiriwang sa EDSA noong ika dalawamput lima ng Pebrero.

Matatandaan din na bago pa nangyari ang lahat ng ito ay inalis na ni Duterte sa kanyang gabinete si Bise Presidente Leni Robredo ng wala man lang karesperespeto at sa di maka-taong pamamaraan. At ito ay dahil lang sa di pagsangayon ng Bise sa ilang patakarang gusting isulong ng pangulo particular na ang tungkol sa pagbabalik ng parusang kamatayan. Ang masaklap pa ay ang patuloy nilang pinalilitaw na masama at walang nagagawa para sa bayan ang lehitimong nahalal na bise president.

Ang Tangkang Baguhin ang Kasaysayan at Ibalik ang mga Marcos sa kapangyarihan

Di rin dapat nating iwaglit sa ating ala ala bagkus patuloy nating bantayan ang ibat ibang pagkilos ng rehimeng ito upang baguhin ang ating kasaysayan na naglalayung itanim sa limot ang mga karahasan at mga pagyurak sa ating karapatang pantao sa ilalim ng higit sa dalawampung taong pamamayagpag ng batas military noong panahon ng rehimeng Marcos. Palihim na nailibing ng mga Marcos ang labi ng kinasusuklaman nating diktador sa Libingan Ng Mga Bayani na may basbas ng pangulo at ng katas taasang hukuman ng bansa – isang malagim na patunay na nakipagsanib puersa nga si Duterte sa mga Marcos kung saan ang layon nila ay maibalik sa kamay ng mga Marcos ang kapangyarihang mamahala sa bansa. Sa isang iglap ay nagawa nilang burahin ang mga pagkakasala ng diktador sampu ng kanyang pamilya sa pagpapalibing ng mga labi nito sa hanay ng mga bayani ng bansa.

Matatandaan na sa isang pagbisita ni Duterte sa ibang bansa matapos siyang mahala bilang pangulo ay isinama nito ang anak ng diktador at ipinakilala pa niya ito sa mga banyaga bilang siyang papalit na bise president ng Pilipinas sa darating na panahon. Alam natin na hangang sa ngayon ay may nakabinbing pang protesta si Bong Bong sa Kataastaasang Hukuman ng Pilipinas. Tila ba ipinahihiwatig ni Duterte na si BBM ang mananaig sa inihaing usapin. Ito ay dahil marahil sa katotohanang hawak din nila ang mayorya ng mga mahistrado sa nasabing Hukuman. Sa sa isang talumpati naman sa bayan ng mga Marcos noong panahon ng kampanya ay nabangit niya na kung si Bong Bong na ang bise president ng bansa ay kagyat siyang magreresign dahil sa kanyang lumalalang kalusugan at ibibigay niya ang kanyang puesto dito makaraan lamang ang ilang buwang panunungkulan. Di maikaiila na hangang sa ngayon ay ito parin ang maitim na balak at hangarin ni Duterte at ang pamilyang Marcos na siyang tunay na tumulong upang maluklok siya bilang pangulo.

Ang Pagiging Sunodsunuran sa Kanyang Kagustuhan ng Hudikatura

Nakalulungkot isipin na maging ang Kataastaasang Hukuman ng bansa sampu na ng ilang mahistrado sa ibat ibang mga sangay ng Hudikatura ay kayang kaya paindakin sa kumpas ng mga kamay ni Duterte. Bukod sa ora-oradang pagpapakulong nila kay Senador Leila Delima at pagsang ayon sa pagpapalibing ng labi ng diktador sa libingan ng mga bayani ay napaabsuelto din nila at napalaya ang dating pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo na naharap sa salang pandarambong noong nakaraang administrasyon. Pinawalang sala rin nila si JocJoc Bolante, ang dating Kalihim pang Agrikultura, sa isa pa ring kaso ng pandarmbobg na binansagang fertilizer scam kung saan ang ponding dapat ay mapunta sa mga magsasaka ay pinadaan sa mga pekeng NGO t pnaghatihatian nila..

Ngayon naman ay si Napoles ang malamang na mapawalang sala sa kasong malawakang pandarambong kaakibat ng syu hngil sa PDAF. Una ng pinapawalang si Napoles sa kasong kidnapping na isinampa ng ‘whistleblower’ na si Ben Hur Luy. Malamang kesa hindi ay mapapawalang sala na rin si Napoles sa mas malaking kaso nya na pamdarambong kapalit ng pagtestigo nito laban kay Senador Delima tulad ng pagpapawalang sala nila sa mga nahatulang bilanggo na tumestigo rin laban sa senador. Di malayo itong mangyari lalot alam natin na isa sa mga ipinangako ni Duterte sa mga taga Cavite noong panahon ng kampanya ay palalayain si Bong Revilla kung walang sapat na ebidensya laban dito. Kung mapawawalang sala si Napoles ay mawawalan din ng saysay nga naman ang lahat ng kasong kaakibat dito kasama na yung mga kaso laban kay Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Revilla, at Juan Ponce Enrile.

Nakakalungkot ding isipin na sa susunod na anim na taon niyang panunungkulan bilang pangulo ay siya ay makapagtatalaga ng 12 sa 15 mahistradong bumubuo ng kataastaasang hukuman ng bansa. Atsa labing dalawang iyon, dalawa na ang kanyang nahirang sa ngayon na pawang nagtapos sa San Beda ung saan siya ay nagtapos din ng abogasya. Ang una ay si Samuel Martires mula sa Sandiganbyan. Si Martires ay ang mahistradong nagpawalang sala kay Fabian Ver at Roberto Ongpin sa kasong tinaguriang Binondo Central Bank Scam kung saan sila ay inakusahan na namili sila ng mga dolyares upang ipadala sa ibang bansa gamit ang ilang iligal na mangangalakal ng dolyar na nakabase sa Binondo. Siya rin ang nagpatibay ng kasunduan ni Major General Carlos Garcia at ng Ombudsman kung saan napababa ang kaso niya mula sa malawakang pandarambong at nauwi sa simpleng money laundering kung kayat siya ay nakapagpiyansa at kasalukuyang nakalalaya. Ang mas nakagigimbal ay siya rin ang naagpawaalang sala kay Duterte sa kasong iligal na paagdedemolis sa isang parke sa Davao nung siya ay mayor pa ng lunsod. Ang parkeng ito ay itinayo ng mga kalaabaan niya sa poltika ung kayat di tumutugmaa sa kanyang panlasa.

Ang ikalawang mahistraadong hinirang niya kamakalan lang ay si Noel Tijam mula sa Court of Appeals. Si Tijam naman ay naging kamagaral ni Duterte sa San Beda. Bagamat walang nailathalang anomaly o pagdududa sa kanya bilang isang mahistrado, ang pagiging malapit niya kay Duterte mula pa ng mga panahon na sila ay magkaeskwela ay di maiiwasang maging tampulan ng pagdududa lalo na pagdating sa mga usaping kasasankutan ni Duterte at ng mga kaaalyaado nito.

SA suma total ay hawak na niya sa kamay an tatlong sangay ng pamahalaan – ang ehekutivo, ang lehislatura, at ngayon nga ay pati na rin an hudikatura.

Mga Pangakong Napako

Halos lahat ng mga pangakong binitiwan niya noong panahong nangangampanya pa lang siya at umakit ng milyong boto para sa kanya ay mistulang nabaon na lamang sa limot. Sa dami ng kanyang binitiwang pangako ay di natin mailalahad lahat dito sa kakulangan ng espasyo. Sapat ng sabihin na halos lahat ng mga pangakong ito ay hindi pa rin niya naisasakatuparan. Unang una na dito ay ang pangako niyang iaahon niya sa kahirapan ang nakararaming mamayang Pilipino. Sa kasamaang palad ay walang konkretong panuntunan o programa na naihahain siya hangang ngayon. Bagkus, ang kagyat niyang pinatuunan ng pansin ay ang pagpapalaki ng pondo para sa tangapan ng pangulo at ibat ibang sangay ng ehekutibo. Bumalangkas sila ng budget kung saan ay palihim nilang ibinalik muli ang kinasuklaman nila noong PDAF. Kaliwat kanan din ang kanilang walang patumangang pag gasta sa pondo ng bayan lalo na sa pangingibang bansa niya kasama ang isang damakmak na alipores. Kaya lomobo ang nagging kakulangan natin sa budget upang mapatakbo ng maayos ang pamahalaan. Ang kakulangang ito ay umabot na sa isang daan at siyam na pung porsiento ng napalaking budget na ginawa nila. Nangangahulugan ito na mangungutang na naman tayo sa ibang bansa mapanatili lamang ang normal na takbo ng pamahalaan. Kung noong nakaraang administrasyon ay nakuha pa naating magpautang sa ibang bansa tulad ng Greece dahl sa masinop nilang pamamahala sa ating pananaalaapi, ngayon naman ay tayo ay nababaon sa utang dahlia sa walang habas na pagasta sa mga di makatuturang bagay ng pamaahalaaang Duterte. Ibig sabihin din nito ay dagdag na pahirap na naman sa mamayan dahil sa ibinabayad nilang buwis kukunin ang pambayad sa lumolobong utang natin sa ibang bansa.

At dahil na rin sa mga maaanghang na pananalitang binitawan ni Duterte laban sa mga banyagang mangangalakal particular na sa mga Amerikano, at sa namamayaning kultura ng pananakot na ipinamamalas ng ating pamahalaan ay naudlot ang pagpapalago ng mga negosyong pinondohan ngmga ito sa bansa. Ang iba nga ay kagyat ng lumisan dala dala ang malalaking capital na sanay lalo pang nagpaunlad sa ekonomiya ng ating bansa.

Kasunod nito ay ang pagbulusok ng halaga ng piso na ngayon ay nasa pinakamababaang antas ng paalitan sa loob ng sampung taon. Mangangahulugan ito ng pagmahal ng halaga sa pagaangkat ng krudo at iba pang mga pangangalangan natin mula sa ibang bansa. Sa madaling salita ay magmamahal na din ang presyo ng ma pangunahing bilihin tulad ng bigas at mga de lata. Magmamahal na rin ang mga bayarin sa kuryente at tubig, at maging ang pamasahe sa mga pampublikong sasakyan. Imbes na maiahon sa kahirapan ang mga ordinaryong mamamayan ay lalo pa silang nadagdagan ng pasanin sa araw araw. Nasaan ang pangakong lulutasin ang kahiraapan kung walong buwan pa lang siya sa puesto ay sobrang dagdag na pahirap na agada ng kanyang idinudulot?

Nangako din siyang susugpuin ang kurapsyon sa pamahalaan subalit

mismong ang pinagkakatiwalaan niyang si Aguire na kasalukuyang kalihim ng hudikatura kasama pa ang dalawang opisyal ng immigration na inilagay nya sa puesto dahil mga produkto din sila ng San Beda, ay nasangkot sa kasong pangingikil ng 50 milyon mula sa isang negosyanteng banyaga. At dahil nga, hawak nila ang senado na siyang nagmbestiga sa kasong ito ay agad pinawalang sala nila si Aguire sa kaso. Isinakripisyo na lamang ang dalawang alipores niya na ngayon ay siyang nahaharap sa kasong ito. Nanddiyan din ang pagbbitiw ni Lavina bilang kaliihim ng kagaawaran ng patubig dahil na rin sa kasong pangingikil sa mga kumpanyang naatasan gumawa ng ibat ibang proyekto ng irigasyon na kanyang pinamumunuan. Imbes na imbestigahang Mabuti at patawan ng parusa ay minabuti na lamang hayaaang magresign si Lavina dahil kaalyado at nagging tagapagsalita niya noong panaahon ng kampanya.

Meron din naman siyang pangako na simula pa lamang ng kaanyang panunungulaang ay pilt na niiyang pinatutupad. Ito ang pangakong lilinisin niya ang iligal na droga sa bansa. Dangan nga lamang ay ang pamamaraan niya ay ang pag gamit ng kinagigilwang niyang ‘death squad’ upang maghasik ng takot at kamatayan sa mga pinaghihinalaang mga gumagamit at naagtutulak ng droga. Sa unang araw pa lamang ng kanyang panunungkulang ay nagsimula na ang walang habas na patayan. Kumalat na ang mga bangkay sa lansangan at ang kalunsuran ay naagmistulaang isang malaking sementeryo kung saan saan na lang iniwan ang mga bankay ng biktima ng mga hindi kilalang operatiba. Ang iba sa mga biktima ay binalot pa ng packing tape at nilagyan ng karton na may nakasulat “Huag tularan. Pusher ako.” Patuloy pa rin ang pamamaslang sa mga inaakalang mga lulon sa droga o nagtutulak nito. Ang nakalulungkot lang ay halos lahat ng biktima ng ganitong uri ng di makatarungang pamamaslang ay nangaling sa hanay ng mga mahihirap. Samantalang ang mga mayayaman at malalaking drug lords ay di nila ginagalaw. Matatandaan na nahuli ang isang apo ni Iggy Arroyo na na bayaw ng dating pangulong Golria Arroyo, kasama ang dalawa pa sa loob ng isang hotel sa Bacolod na may ilang kilo ng shabu. Ngunit tanging ang dalawa lang niyang kasamahan ang nakasuhan at nakulong habaang siya ay Malaya hangang ngayon. Nabalita din ang pagkakahuli sa pamangking ng kalihim ni Duterte na si Dureza sa isang buy bust operation. Ito ay nanatiling buhay at nakalalaya habang ang kasong isinampa sa kanya ay nakabinbin lang sa husgado. Nariyan rin ang tinaguriang ng PDEA na pinakamalaking drug lord sa Cebu na si Peter Lim na isa pa lang kumpare ni Duterte. Sa simula ay pinasusuko niya ito kkung hindi ay ipapapatay na lang siya. Ng sumipot si Lim sa Malakanyang at napagtanto ni Duterte na ang Peter Lim na tinutukoy ng PDEA ay ang mismong kumpare nya ay inatasan na lang nya ito na makipagtulungan sa NBI para malinis ang pangalan nito.Kahit pinanindigan ng PDEA na siya nga ang drug lord ng Cebu na tinutukoy sa mga report na isinumite nila kay Duterte ay wala pa ring kasong naisampa laban sa kanya hanggang ngayon. Nabaltang nangibang bansa na siya kasama ang buong pamilya niya matapos makipagpulong sa paangulo. Subalit kamakailan lamang ay nagging laman sya ng mga pahayagan sa Cebu at sinasabiing nasa Cebu lamang siya at malayang namumuhay.

Sa kabilang dako ay patuloy ang walang habas na pagapatay ng tinaguriang death squad na pinakawalan ni Duterte sa mga kaawaawang mga nalulong sa droga pati na mga napagsuspetsahang nagtutulak ng ipinaagbabawal na gamut na pawing sa mahihirap na lugar ng kalunsuran lahat nagmumula. Batay sa ma huling ulat ay lapas na sa 8,000 ang nagging biktima ng digmaan ito mula sa unang araw na maluklok si Duterte walong buwan pa lang ang nakalilipas. Di na muling masisilayan ang pagsikat ng araw ng kahabag habag na mga kaluluwang ito. Maging ang karapatang patunayan muna na sila nga’y nagkasala bago husgahan, kanila’y ipinagkait. Maski bigyan man lang sana sila ng pagkakataon na linisin ang kanilan mga pangalan ay di na rin nila makakamtan.

Mulat sapul ay di inaalinta ni Duterte ang panaghoy at pagtangis ng mga pamilyang naulila sa ama, ina, asawa, at kapatid ng mga biktima ng marahas na digmaan kontra droga na inulunsad nito. Isang dimaan na nagmistulang digmaan laban lamang sa mahihirap na naligaw lamang ng landas dala ng kahirapan. Para sa kanya, walang halaga ang buhay ng mga taong nalulong sa droga pati na ang mga ang mga pinagbibintangan nyang mga nagtutulak ng ipinagbabawal na gamot. Para sa kanya, ang mga ito ay mga salot lamang sa lipunan na dapat lipulin. To lamang ang nakkita niyaang paraan upang mabuwag ang sinasabiniyang mekanismo ng kalakalan sa droga – ang paslangin ang mga mahihirap na nalunod na sa masamang bisyo. kamakailan nga ay muli siyang nagbitaw ng pangako na di niya titigilan ang inilunsad niyang madugong digmaan na ito hanggang wala ng matira sa mga tinagurian niyang mga salot sa lipunan.

Sa gitna ng lahat ng ito ay patuloy ang pagtangis ng dumaraming mga naulila ng mga biktima ng karumaldumal na kampanyang ito kontra droga. Lumalakas na rin ang kanilang panaghoy na mabiyang hustisya ang pagkamatay ng mga mahal nila sa buhay. Di rin nila maiwasangg itanong kung ito na nga ang ipinangako ni Duterte na wawakasan niya ang kanilang paghihirap – sa pamamagitan ng sistematikong papaslang sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay.

Pakingan natin ang kanilang panaghoy!

Sa huli ay hindi rin natin maiiwasang itanong kung ilang mahihirap pa ang dapat magbuwis ng buhay bago mamulat ang sambaynan sa katotohanang pinaglalaruan nila ang ating mga karapatan. At kung tayo man ay tuluyan ng hagupitin ng ngayo’y nagbabadya pa lamang na unos, huwag maglala dahil di magtatagal ay sisikat na rin ang araw. 

The Enigma that is Mark Hil Macalua

MarkHil Macalua, a successful professional internet marketer, is currently the vice president for marketing of the Philippine based market developmental arm of USA Auto Parts. Mark takes pride in heading an army of more than 130 internet marketers for the leading publicly traded auto parts retailing company that sells cars and truck parts online. Among the laurels that Mark has tucked under his belt is the distinction of bringing the company to rank number 81 in the Internet Retailer Magazine’s annual list of the top 500 of online retailers in the world with the largest business generated for the year.

One of the most intriguing things about Mark is how he is able to attend to his full time job as VP for USA Auto Parts and still find time to attend to his passion of pursuing the development of the local SEO industry. Mark is the founder and head honcho of SEO Philippines and a fulltime tech blogger too with his own personally branded website. He has spearheaded the holding of various local competitions for SEO enthusiasts and has been a keynote speaker in many internet marketing and website development seminars.

Innovative, aggressive and daring, Mark is in constant search for the best ways to promote web site visibility and constantly pursue development of new methodology to optimize web sites for the various search engines. He calls himself a web prodigy or a web addict constantly pursuing various internet pursuits with unequalled passion. His aggressiveness however got him into trouble with no less than the giant search company Google early on in his career. His Ayala.com got banned from appearing on Google’s search result pages for a while. Mark got it back immediately on Google again. While it is not quite clear what got him into trouble, the experience must have given him valuable lessons and even earned him a chance to personally meet with Google’s top tech honcho Matt Cutts during one of Cutts’ trips to the country. (Cutts’ even mentioned his meeting with Mark in his personal blog.)  Mark and Matt discussed the SEO contests that Mark sponsors and surely Mark must have picked up quite a bit of insider tip from the man who reins in Google’s Panda and Penguin.

As you well know, the algorithm that Google search crawlers use to determine the value of a website and its contents and determine their rankings and appearance on the pages of search results is a well kept secret. Google keeps it close to its chest to prevent anyone from gaming Google just to improve their rankings which the company experienced in the past. You see, Google wants everyone to toe its line and develop content and back links naturally. Anyone who diverts from what it deems proper is penalized and banned from its search results. And what is proper is revealed by it to the public only in bits and pieces through tips and advisories it publishes through Google’s Web Master Blog and also on Cutt’s own personal blog. That is why Mark must have been jumping in joy after his personal meeting with Mutt. He must have gained an exclusive peek and perhaps gotten some serious SEO tips from the man himself.

Today, Mark Hil Macalua is considered an icon in the local SEO industry along with other equally much sought after local SEO heavyweights like Abe Olandres of YugaTech. Mark continues to strive (using his own words) “to help users achieve the ‘Don’t Make Me Think’ objective from interfaces to copy”.

A Tribute to a Great Wife and a caring Mother

The Mother That Loves

The Mother That Cares

The Mother That Helps

The Mother That Worries

The Mother That's With You Through It All

The Mother That Raised You To Be Who ANd What You Are

The Mother That Encourages You

The Mother That Works Hard For You

The Mother That Sacrifices

The Mother That Is Here Only For You

The Mother That Has Lived All These Years For You

The Mother That Is Surviving Only For You

The Mother That Is Here

The Mother That Is There, For, This Mother Is Everywhere

The Mother That Is Kind

The Mother That Is Warm-Hearted

The Mother That Is Super-Women

The Mother Of All Mother's... 

The Mother by Nesmah Elsayed

Untitled Jersey City Project: More Than Just A Buzz -More than Just An Action-Drama Series!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Untitled Jersey City Project. All opinions are 100% mine.

FX TV Networks is no doubt creating quite a buzz about the soon-to-hit air drama and action series which is yet to be titled. Yes, you read it right! It is still untitled and that’s where the entire buzz is coming from!

 

Called for now as "Untitled Jersey City Project”, Fox Entertainment’s FX Networks has put together eight short form episodes of the series, unfinished, untitled, and termed a ‘work in progress’ – an experimental television drama and action series. Premiered during the last Emmy Awards and directed by Daniel Minahan (who also directed the highly rated “True Blood” and “Game of Thrones”) the Untitled Jersey City Project promises to be another exciting television series everyone should look forward to watching. But, the most intriguing aspect of this experimental project is the fact that it will be the first ever series that aims to combine the real life experience and audience participation generated only by reality television shows with the excitement and mystery of a cloak and dagger drama series.

Consider for example the series location – the action revolves around the fast developing coastline of Jersey City which in real life has been attracting hordes of high end developers and foreign financiers lately. (Jersey City was a miserable place of urban decay in the 1970’s. It was shrouded with corruption and run by a local administration well known for backroom deals and cronyism.)  The Untitled Jersey City Project chronicles the development of waterfront stadium along the harbor facing Manhattan and in great similarity to actual developments in the Jersey City coastline. The story centers around two young Jersey upstart architects hired by a real estate tycoon to design Waterfront Field. To give it the twists and twits of the old game, the story presents a rich and mysterious Taiwanese couple who finance the Jersey City tycoon, an undercover FBI agent acting as the tycoon’s driver, a newspaper reporter bent on discovering and exposing the tycoon’s illegal activities, corrupt union men working in cahoots with the developer, and a budding but already corrupted local politician to complete the scene. In short, this is all about a new game to gain fame and fortune using the old rules reminiscent of the old Jersey City in real life!

Preview Episode 2 of this yet to be titled television series and see for yourself what the buzz is all about. Watch it here!

 

Here is the most exciting part about this project! You can help name the show and possibly get acknowledged for providing the appropriate name for the series. This is your chance to have a short lived shot  at fame and stardom yourself. Just hush over the Untitled Jersey City Project page and submit as many entries as you like.

Wait, there's more to this project than what everybody else know ! If you wish to try your hand at script writing and want to put your skills to a test, why don't you join in this work-in-progress drama and submit your own ideas or screenplay about where the story should go! They have developed three scenes where you can contribute your own input. Who knows this could be your own long hoped for instant road to fame and fortune!

Please watch the episode teasers and share with me your thoughts. Tell me what you honestly feel about this upcoming series.

Net 10 is Going Social This October!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Net10. All opinions are 100% mine.

Net 10, one of the leading mobile virtual network operators in the country, is going social! Nope, I don't mean going social as in joining the social networking sites (Net 10 is already in Face Book, Twitter and You Tube – don’t forget to like them!) I mean Net 10 has put together the most perfect combination of phone models and virtual network services for all those helpless romantics who simply can’t live without buzzing their social networking buddies every single minute of the day! This October Net 10 is adding a new line up of affordable Net 10 phones containing features perfect for social networking bugs and heavy phone users as well.
Introducing the next Generation of Social Communication – the affordable LG Optimus Net!
Net 10 has included LG Optims Net to its line up of phone models starting this October. Described by PC Mag as one of the Best Android Phones and included in its Top 10 Best Touch Screen Phones, the LG Optimus Net incorporates the LG Social + a proprietary widget which combines all the popular networking site portals in a single application right on the phone’s home screen. With a single tap, users can simultaneously update their status on Face Book and Twitter while reading the feeds of their social networking buddies on the same screen.
Priced at only $ 149.99, LG Optimus Net is the perfect gadget for the 48% of Americans aged 18 to 34 year olds who check Face Book on waking up! And here’s the best part – you can avail of Net 10’s flat rate of $50 a month for unlimited voice, text, mobile web and 411 calls for 30 days with a nation wide network. For the more budget conscious, Net 10 has several Easy Minutes Plans where you can buy additional minutes in bundles of 50, 100, and 150 minutes (at only $0.06 to $0.75 per minute) anytime and anywhere using your Net 10 phones or through the Net 10 web site. Here’s another beautiful thing about Net 10’s Easy Minutes plan – remaining minutes are automatically carried over to the next month for as long as the phone remains active. Long distance calls are also available at only $0.75 cents per minute to 75 other countries. here's more good news! If you happen to have friends and families in neighboring Canada and Mexico that you constantly communicate with, Net 10 can provide you with a special number through which they can call you for free! Put them all together and you have a perfect means to remain connected with everyone that matters in your life - at the cheapest price possible!
Net 10 has a wide array of pre-paid phone models you can choose from. They have models with the most basic features starting at $39.99 to models with the most sophisticated features like the LG Optimus Net. At Net 10 you can choose the phone and the minutes you want to fit into your specific needs or go with your budget. And the best part of all is the fact that there are no contracts, no bills, no evils that go with any pre-paid phone or plan that you choose.
Here  are more reasons why Net 10 is the best option for you. Listen to Net 10's Rob outline the superb benefits of Net 10 prepaid plans:

What Rob has to say

Don't just take our word for it. Listen to what a real Net 10 customer has to say about it:

Real NET10 customer

You need not wait till things get more financially burdensome before looking for cheaper alternatives of remaining connected to your friends and family. Switch to Net 10 now and experience the difference. Simply buy a Net 10 prepaid phone and choose the minute plan suitable to your needs. There are no contracts, no pesky bills, and no evil at all that goes with any Net 10 plan. 

K-12 Education in Russia and the United States - A Comparative View

K-12 education (primary to secondary education) in Russia is different from that of the United States in structure as well in many other aspects. In fact, the whole educational systems of both are distinctly dissimilar. But before we delve into a detailed discussion of their structural differences, it would be interesting to show some recent statistics related to education in both countries.

Russia is known for having a long tradition of providing high quality education to all its citizens. Its educational system has consistently produced an almost 100% literacy rate in most recent years.  Based on UNESCO statistics for 2009 for example, Russia ranked #13 in the world together with two other countries namely Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan with a literacy rate of 99.5%. This is higher than those of most European countries even that of the United States.  In this same survey, the United States scored a flat literacy rate of 99 % and is ranked #20 together with 25 other countries.

Another revealing statistic came from an international study of Math and Science achievement levels among 8th graders (the International Math and Science Study done by the Trends in Mathematics and Science Study or TIMSS in 2007) worldwide. (TIMMS was developed by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement or IEA).

In this study Russia’s 8^th graders ranked #9 globally. Comparatively, American 8^th graders ranked lower at #11. The 1995 statistics were even worst for the American 8^th graders. In that year (1995), the Russian students ranked 14 while the American students were way below at # 40. Although there was a marked improvement by American students from 1995 to 2007, their poor performance never-the-less left them out of the top 10 and continued to raise concern among American educators especially so since the United States spends 5.7% of its GDP on education compared to only 3.8% by Russia.

American students fared even worst than their Russian counterparts in reading achievement. In the International Student Achievement in Reading study conducted in 2006 by the IEA Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) among students with 4 years of formal education (Grade 4), Russian students topped the study while their American counterparts ranked way below at #18.  This is dismally lower than the results achieved by grade 4 students from Hong Kong (#2) and Singapore (#3) who shared the top three positions with Russia (#1).

Amazingly, the structure of the educational system of both Russia and the United States are essentially the same. Both were patterned after the educational system in Germany although each one has made some modifications through the years.

Compulsory education in Russia is for 11 years and starts at the age of 6 up to 17 years old and consists of Primary, Basic Secondary, and Upper Secondary. Primary school is for 4 years from Grade 1 to Grade 4. This is followed by 5-year Basic Secondary School (Grades 5 – 9). From Basic Secondary, the student takes the 2 year Upper Secondary school Grades 10 – 11).

Compulsory education in the United States spans 12 years (longer than Russia by 1 year) starting at the age of 5 to 18 years old. Elementary School is for 6 years and starts at Kindergarten to Grade 5. This is followed by 3 years of Middle School from Grade 6 to Grade 8. After which, the students spend 4 years in High School from Grade 9 to Grade 12. Elementary and Middle School comprise the primary education and High School represents the Secondary level.

With very little difference in the educational system of both countries, one can only wonder why

Russians students are faring better than American students in Math, Science, and Reading standardized global achievement tests.

Get Rid of Monthly Phone Bill Nightmares? Switch to Net10 Now!

This post brought to you by Net10. All opinions are 100% mine.

I know how it is every time your monthly phone bill gets into your mailbox! 


Your heart starts pumping hard. Your blood pressure starts to rise! You ask yourself - should you or shouldn’t you open the bill now? Your mind starts racing fast! Are you going to be in for another surprise? Will you get into another big fight with the phone company’s customer service guys over this new bill?

Believe me I know the feeling because I’ve been there myself. I even had to pay horrible fees when I finally lost  patience with them and decided to pre-terminate my contract! And when I contested the additional fees, my credit score got hit! Whew, what a nightmare indeed! But I found myself a solution. I discovered Net10 and switched to it fast. Today the monthly surprises and phone bill nightmares are gone! 

In my line of work, I use my phone a lot talking to my clients from various parts of the country. So, I availed of the Net10 Unlimited Plan. With this plan, I got free nationwide coverage with crystal-clear reception and easy connectivity. The plan serves my needs perfectly since it comes with unlimited talk time, unlimited text, and unlimited data transfers all for only a fixed monthly rate of  $50. Can you beat that? I can even make long distance calls to over 75 countries - not for free of course but for only 15 cents a minute! What really thrilled me with this plan is the fact that there is no contract, no worrisome monthly bills, and no credit checks at all! 


They also have other plans to suit your needs and your budget. They have the 'Pay As You Go' plans. Their 'Easy Minutes Plan'  where you can buy 200 minutes for only $15 is perfect for less active users; or, buy 300 minutes for only $30. You can add minutes as you need them in bundles of 50, 100, and 150 minutes online or through their authorized dealers nationwide. Watch the Net10 commercial below to get a better picture.

Cute NET10 commercial

There is a catch though. You need to buy a Net10 phone first. But this was not a problem for me. I sold mine easily at eBay and used the proceeds for my new phone. And, yes, you need not worry  because they have a whole line up of phones from simple phones for simple needs at under $15 to the top of the line models ... all from trusted phone manufacturers only like  LG, Kyocera, Motorola, Samsung, and Nokia.

But don't just take my word for it. Examine all the 10 reasons why you should  switch to Net10 immediately. Watch the video below before making that big switch.

Still unconvinced? Watch and listen to what a real Net10 customer has to say. 

Real NET10 customer

Oh yes, before I forget.  You can check Net10 out on Facebook and/or follow them on Twitter.