Is It Wrong To Give Money To Typhoon Victims In Bicol?

After the exit of Typhoon Kristine (international name Trami), which caused widespread damages and lost of lives across the Philippines, a viral photo of Camarines Sur Governor Luigi Villafuerte has drawn mixed reactions online.

The image shows Villafuerte standing on a small boat, handing what appears to be cash to residents affected by the storm, many of whom were seen reaching out to receive the money.

Dolton Mayor's 'Unethical Behavior' Confirmed By Assistant

Despite the controversies and calls for her resignation, Dolton, Illinois Mayor Tiffany Henyard has remained resolute in her roles. However, Thornton Township trustee Carmen Carlisle has come forward to spill the beans on the bombastic mayor.

Henyard, who also serves as Supervisor for the neighboring Thornton Township, has been dogged by scandal for months and has been accused of misdeeds, excessive spending, allegations of corruption and retaliating against co-workers.

Did the US Cleared a "Secret" Failed Doping Test?

It is nothing new to hear that the United States anti-doping agency is accused of double standards by rival government agencies. However, it is damaging to hear this from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) after they called for an investigation on the American sprinting team at the Paris Olympics for failing a previous drugs test.

Erriyon Knighton, a world silver medallist who will race in soon in the men’s 200 metres final, tested positive for the performance enhancer trenbolone during an out-of-competition test in March. The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), claimed the substance in his sample came from contaminated meat and cleared him to compete at the Paris Games.

Congressmen's "stay home for us" Sign Is Disgusting

Some members of the Philippine House of Representatives are giving netizens something to ridicule about during this time of crisis. This happened exactly after their failed attempt to portray themselves and other officials as frontliners in the fight against COVID-19.

The furor sparked when Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, and other lawmakers showed up at the plenary hall before the start of special session last 23 March holding banners that read: "Together with doctors and frontliners, we went to work for you, so please stay at home for us."

Luxury Cars Pummeled To Scrap

Heavy movers like bulldozers and backhoes pounded more than two dozen seized luxury cars in the Philippines last 6 February, including Porsches, Mercedes, Jaguars and Corvettes, in a dramatic demolition showcasing the no-nonsense leader's crackdown on crime and corruption.

President Rodrigo Duterte watched as the second-hand vehicles, some valued as high as $115,000, were reduced to piles of scrap in a little over three minutes.

Double Standards On 'Jemele Hill' Case

It has become very obvious on how it handled the 'Jemele Hill situation', that ESPN is bias with its employees. Whatever they call it, this much is clear: if ESPN agrees with the political commentary, the reporter is safe. If ESPN does not agree with the political commentary, the reporter will get the axe.

At least that’s the only thing to infer from ESPN's response so far after what they did to Curt Schilling.

To Escape Corruption Charges, Join the U.N.

A former first lady of Peru who is facing money-laundering charges was shrewd enough to learn that she can be granted immunity if she gets a posting with a United Nations agency in Geneva.

"Privileges and immunities (are) extended to staff of all UN agencies, and staff members of specialized agencies in the exercise of their functions," UN spokeswoman Alessandra Vellucci said in a statement.

The 'Bishop of Bling' was Finally Suspended

This story should serve as a warning to Catholic priests and bishops all over the world not to spend the money donated to the Church on luxurious and senseless things.

Just a few hours ago, Pope Francis suspended the free spending German Bishop Franz Peter Tebartz-van Elst - known derisively as Bishop Deluxe or the Bishop of Bling - and ordered him to vacate the Diocese of Limburg, Germany, at least temporarily.

A Brief Background of Hillary Clinton's Financial Scandal

After the Democratic National Convention (DNC) selected Hillary Clinton as their first woman presidential candidate, she has been attempting to rebrand herself. Her spin doctors claim that this is Hillary 2.0 version. A Hillary that is more accessible, relatable candidate who learned the lessons of her bruising, failed 2008 bid: From now on, no equivocating, no entitlement, no dubious financial dealings.

If anybody think this is true, then they are as gullible and naive as somebody who just finished primary education. Here are some of the scandals that Hillary was involved with in her years at public limelight:

Ed Lingao's Take on Marcos Burial At Libingan ng mga Bayani

A few days ago, Facebook suspended the account of TV5 anchor Ed Lingao opposing President Rodrigo Duterte's proposed burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani/. After careful evaluation, the social networking site restored the site and called the takedown a "mistake" of a member of its community operations team.

A Facebook official, informed of the issue surrounding Lingao’s posts, told InterAksyon.com: "I'm sorry for what he is experiencing. We are actively investigating this and let's please keep in close touch on this. This should not be happening and we'll keep you posted ASAP."

Is She Really The Highest Paid SSS Commissioner?

Is there nepotism and favoritism at the country's social protection agency?

The administration standard bearer Manuel Roxas II is under fire right now after political bloggers and election watchers discovered that his former chief-of-staff, Eliza Antonino, has a seven-figure salary as commissioner of the Social Security System (SSS).

Imelda Marcos's Jewelry To Be Auctioned Off

The Philippine government has finally approved the public exhibit and auction of the jewelry collection of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos' widow Imelda, which international experts have appraised to be now worth at least 1 billion pesos (US$ 21 million), officials said last 15 February.

The hoard was seized when Marcos and his family fled to Hawaii in 1986 following a popular revolt that ended his two decades in power.

Illegally-Acquired Marcos Properties To Be Sold

The Philippines has finally decided last 18 January to sell off the stolen properties worth some 65.8 million pesos (US$ 1.5 million) seized from the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and his cronies.

The seven properties, seized in 2012, consist of land in the resort towns of Tagaytay, south of Manila, as well as in Puerto Galera and Calapan that were under the ownership of Marcos ally Jolly Bugarin, then the head of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), a statement said.

Ombudsman Is Taking Down Corrupt Officials

After dismissing the police officers involved in the anomalous rubber boat deal last month, the Office of the Ombudsman is again showing everyone that nobody is above the law after it dismissed three Mindanao mayors and told them that they are no longer allowed to hold public office.

Dismissed from service were Cagayan de Oro (CDO) City Mayor Oscar Moreno, Matanao, Davao del Sur Mayor Vicente Fernandez, and Ditsa-an Ramain, Lanao del Sur Mayor Mamintal Adiong.

Police in Rubber Boat Mess Dismissed

The Philippine government just proved to everyone that they are seriously in tackling the problem of corruption among the frontline personnel, especially the persons of authority.

Exactly nineteen officers as well as the resident auditor of the Philippine National Police (PNP) were dismissed from service and barred from serving in government for their alleged involvement in the anomalous purchase in 2009 of rubber boats worth PhP 4.54 million.

Sleeping on the Job at the BIR-Pasig Branch

Technology has definitely made the lives of modern Filipinos better, especially if monitoring lax regulatory functions and inept public service is concern. With new gadgets, Filipino taxpayers were able to catch erring government workers not doing their jobs properly at the expense of the very people that pay them their salaries.

Take the case of Marge Caparas, president of a non-government organization called the Community of Filipino Teachers Inc., who was able to take a photograph of a Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) officer taking his time to do his job.

Amal Clooney Has No Business Defending GMA

International human rights lawyer Amal Clooney just doesn't have any business interfering with the Philippine judicial system. Instead of trying to defend the case she filed before the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) for and on behalf of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, she should have taken the case of the victims who were defrauded by the rich families of Arroyo.

According to STAR columnist Carmen Pedrosa said Clooney, wife of Hollywood star George Clooney, was able to present before the UN body the case of Arroyo, in hospital arrest without bail despite her frail health and the weak evidence on the plunder complaint filed against her.

'Fertlizer Scam' Case Moves Forward

The axe of justice is slow, but it is still there nevertheless. It is frustrating for some to see many affluent personalities, including politicians, get favorable treatment from the law, but under President Benigno Aquino III, the wheels are turning against the corrupt persons in authority.

This is what was evident after Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales ordered the filing of graft charges against former Lopez Jaena, Misamis Occidental mayor Zenaida Azcuna and six others in connection with their supposed involvement in the alleged PhP 1-million fertilizer fund scam in 2005.

COA: ERC Failed To Protect Consumers

The Commission on Audit (COA) has finally ruled and they found the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) wanting.

Chaired by former Pampanga Rep. Zenaida Ducut, ERC was found to have failed miserably in protecting the very people that pay their wages, the consumers. Worse, COA ruled that the energy body lavished its officers with MacBooks and iPads and deployed government vehicles without “For Official Use Only” markings.

'Conflict Of Interest' at UCPB Board?

Is there really a ‘conflict of interest’ in this story? Try to read it and see if you agree with the complainant that government officials made an error in appointing Atty. Nilo T. Divina as one of the directors of United Coconut Planters’ Bank (UCPB).

According to Atty. Oliver San Antonio, legal counsel of the National Coalition of Filipino Consumers (NCFC), Divina, dean of law at the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Faculty of Law, not only sits as one of the 16 members of the board of directors of UCPB, but that his law firm also serves as one of its external counsels.