u/Independent_Owl_636

"I do this so that our people... will have some hope that there are still public officials who are willing to stand by for what is right and good, what is moral and just for the good of all."

And at that point, the country realized that the Constitutional due process ceases. To save the country, it needed another revolution.

Now that the Senate changed leadership and having the numbers that may prolong or acquit the vice president, I can't help but to remember this moment. The Senate knows this, that they may oust the Senate President, but the Filipino people have repeatedly proven that they can oust even the highest official in the country.

Before the EDSA Dos, Pro-Erap Senators voted against the opening of the envelope that will expose stronger evidence against Erap. Pimentel lost faith in his colleagues, probably having seen that they have their personal agenda rather than serving the people, and resigned. So ironic that Loren is the living witness of it all. Now, she made questionable choices to preserve her personal interests.

The Senate now harbors a criminal and is probably anchored to crush the impeachment. We can only ask, are we months away from having another revolution?

If PGMN Mabanta and his co-accused have touched the budol (boodle) money, the exact money will speak for itself. Boodle money is a mix of real and fake money where the former is put on top of the latter to make it look like all money inside the suitcase or bag is real. If the accused have touched or handled it, their finger prints or palm prints will appear on the money.

PGMN Mabanta and his cohorts are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty, and the burden of proof lies on the prosecution. It means that the prosecution must have compelling and sufficient evidence to not cast any doubt on the guilt of the accused. Thus, the NBI has the obligation to submit pieces of evidence sufficient for the Court to convict the accused.

Law enforcement agencies, specifically NBI, is known to have used Flourescent Powders to prove to the Court that the accused have handled the marked money. As declared in one case, "P/Insp. Clemen was also able to verify that both hands of accused-appellant were positive for the presence of bright orange ultraviolet fluorescent powder, thus, corroborating the testimonies of the NBI investigators that he received the counterfeit money which were dusted with such powder."

However, the powder is not a requirement. As the court said, "But it is settled that the use of fluorescent powder is not required to prove the commission of the offense."

Indeed, the powder is only one of the pieces of evidence the prosecution may mark, but it is the holistic compilation of all circumstantial and direct evidence that should convince the Court to convict the accused, of which the trial and promulgation take years.

Once an asset to PDP-Laban as the Secretary General, he is now a Slayer of Propaganda for the Administration.

Melvin Matibag is no newbie in politics. He became a DOE undersecretary, a MIAA manager, and acting Cabinet Secretary under the Duterte Administration. He was a fighter for PDP Laban, winning a case in the Supreme Court when factions evolved in the party, retaining his leadership with Cusi.

Career change. In 2023, he left PDP-Laban for unknown reasons. Now at 2026, appointed as NBI Director. NBI moved from chasing POGOs and Chinese Spies under Judge Santiago to arresting Jay Sonza and PGMN founder Mabanta under Matibag, within just months of his appointment. From a leading knight for his former party, now the master chess piece for the Administration. At what cost? No one knows, but his latest arrests speak for themselves. With only 2 years remaining for the president, it looks like his next move is to double down.

The president is a silent fighter. When you create issues about his health, he lifts rice packs to prove he is strong. On the camera, it looks like he handles the political issues lightly. On the contrary, he is going after the fake news publishers. For the past ten years, this may be the first time that the Dutertes and their allies are cornered. PRRD at The Hague, Bato is in hiding, Chinators are almost non-existing, and Leni's gap with Sara closing in.

At what cost will the Filipinos have to suffer. At what cost will the Dutertes fight to win the 2028? At what means will the Admin go to double down on their political enemies? In spite of political division and turmoil, Filipinos hope for a better country. A country where good governance in all bureaucracy is manifested and where corruption ends. This is not solely about Matibag nor the Dutertes and the Admin, but your choice in 2028. In spite of political noise, I hope it doesn't drown our critical thinking and may we find the best president.

*photo from wikipedia, edited and generated by ai. *reference on Matibag's career

If you have watched PGMN, you will be amazed by their commentaries that are supposed to show an "investigative" jorunalism. You will be enticed because they are choosing intriguing topics, using almost unfiltered statements, and fronting themselves as investigative journalists who are willing to take on big personalities. However, if you have "critical thinking", which I think some Filipinos weren't able to enhance (ifykyk) or just fanatics of politicians, it will only take you less than a week or even a day to realize there's something fishy about them. Ex. a) PGMN anchors' take on the West Philippine Sea almost echoes the narrative of Chinators (Marcoleta, etc.) b) PGMN suddenly attacked Gabe Pineda when the latter challenged DDS to turn back when evidence against Sara is laid out. c) CJ Hirro defending Sammy Uy, a drug lord associated with Rodrigo Duterte.

The conclusion that PGMN has something fishy will be realized by an individual upon research and objective lense. The technique of PGMN is a classic propaganda, which is a danger to our already divided country. Their main anchor was even awarded at the same award night where true journalists were recipients of. There is a deep and well-profited machinery willing to do anything to shift the narrative, so be careful!