Politics Archives - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Mar32020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Solon calls on Balik-Scientists, vets to face off African Swine Fever in the Philippines

Announcements, Food, Government, Mindanaoan Update, Politics

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri urged Malacañang to call on Balik-Scientists, veterans to face off African Swine Fever or ASF in the Philippines. "We have to save the livelihood of our hog raisers, both large-scale and backyard; especially the backyard hog raisers. For many years, we have had the lowest hoof and mouth disease. We controlled Avian Flu and it failed to decimate our poultry industry. We are one of the preferred sources of pork and poultry by countries that had high standards like Japan," the senator from Mindanao said. "That's why I'm aghast at how ASF is destroying our hog raisers. Together with the Agriculture Committee chaired by Sen. Villar, I have warned that the importation of pork meat, offals, and processed products should stop. Evidently, the...

Sep232019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

World Headlines & World Business Report

Politics

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Sep212017 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

GOOD NEWS: Up to P25,000 monthly income to be tax exempt

Announcements, Politics

Higher take-home pay awaits Filipino workers as the income tax system will finally be amended two decades after it was enacted. Under the Senate ways and means committee report, the first P150,000 annual taxable income will be exempted, while retaining the P82,000 tax exemption for 13th month pay and other bonuses and the maximum P100,000 additional exemption for up to four dependents. This translates to an approximate tax-exempt monthly income of P25,000 for workers with four dependents. With this proposal, almost all or 99% of the 7.5 million individual income taxpayers will enjoy lower income tax rates, while 81% or 6.1 million income taxpayers will be exempt from paying income taxes, based on data from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). Currently, only the 2 million ...

Jun52016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Covering Senator Migs Zubiri’s oathtaking ceremony

Advocacy, Blogging, Bukidnon, Events, Government, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Politics, Society

What was supposed to be a self-imposed, much-needed vacation last June 4, 2016 in Bukidnon turned into a mini "working holiday" when my good friend Bobby of Rappler told me that he and other Cagayan de Oro media friends were in Malaybalay City to cover the oathtaking of returning Senator Juan Miguel "Migs" Zubiri. Apparently, I've been living under a rock because I wasn't even aware that Sir Migs was taking his oath that day! Eep. Anyways, I knew I couldn't pass up that chance to witness Sir Migs as he takes his oath as comebacking Senator. Plus I would've missed this scene - Sir Migs as he personally checked his speech and made final touches: READ: Full text of Senator Migs Zubiri's oathtaking speech In 2007, I remember writing the banner headline story of him running for the...

May72016 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Why Chiz Escudero is my Vice President

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Features, Government, Headline, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personalities, Politics, Society

Chiz Escudero. I first saw him in Congress. He was the fast rising young representative of Sorsogon then. All eyes were on him. Him and his impossibly forever kunot polo barong. Kunot because he’s here, there, everywhere. I remember whenever I observe at the plenary hall, he often stands up, asks questions from the floor, consults other legislators. In my mind, ang kulit din ng kongresistang ito. He wasn’t like many congressmen who’d just sit and wait for their attendance to be called. Siyempre, crush na crush ko siya noon. Ten Outstanding Young Men awardee, World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, Rotary Golden Wheel Awardee for Political Governance and Legislation and the list goes on and on. Saan ka pa? Young, very smart, articulate, took and passed the bar on the first try and cute...

May72016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Chiz Escudero chides Cayetano: “Who spent half a billion pesos?”

Announcements, Government, Politics

Vice Presidential candidate Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero lashed out at his fellow bet, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, for accusing Sen. Grace Poe of conspiring with Malacañang and Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas to bring down presidential frontrunner Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. “Sen. Cayetano, after being silent for quite some time, is once against acting and talking like a wild and rabid dog. He is throwing wild accusations simply because he himself cannot answer the issues being thrown at his running mate because it will contradict everything that he is and has stood for in the past,” Escudero said. Escudero also took exception to Cayetano’s claim that the “businessmen supporters” of Poe are funding the negative advertisement against Duterte. “Before he questions Sen. G...

May22016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Win Gatchalian to DepEd: prepare for exodus of senior HS students from private to public

Advocacy, Campus, Mindanaoan Update, Politics

Nationalist Peoples Coalition (NPC) senatorial bet Win Gatchalian todaydownplayed fears that the implementation of the K to 12 program this coming school year will result to more high school dropouts especially those from private schools. “On the contrary, many private schools are now problematic because many students and even teachers in private schools are transferring to public schools for the senior high school (SHS) program. This is because public school teachers are given higher pay than those in private schools and receive numerous benefits from government,” said Gatchalian, who is among the supporters of K to 12 in Congress. Gatchalian said the Department of Education’s earlier projection revealed that about 172,000 students will transfer to public schools this year for the S...

Apr282016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Chiz Escudero sends sympathies, deplores brutal beheading of Canadian in Mindanao

Crime, Island Garden City of Samal, News, Personalities, Politics, Sulu

Sen. Francis “Chiz" Escudero sent his sympathies to the local Canadian community, while at the same time deplored the brutal beheading of Canadian national John Ridsdel. “We condole with the local Canadian community and send our deepest prayers to all Canadians, especially to the family and friends of Mr. John Ridsdel. This act of a terrorist group has no place in a civilized Philippines. We condemn each and all acts of terrorism and violence,” Escudero said. “The Philippines is and will continue to be a welcoming and hospitable destination to all of those who would want to visit us despite the tragedy that fell on Mr. Ridsdel. We understand that agencies of the Philippine government are doing their best to bring to justice all those responsible for this abominable act,” said the ind...

Apr212016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Running For Office? How Social Media Can Help You Win

Announcements, Blogging, Commentary, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Politics, Society, Technology

The official campaign season for the May 9, 2016 presidential polls has finally begun! Soon, the local campaigns will also begin. Are you one of the candidates this 2016 elections? Whether you’re a veteran or a newbie candidate and whether you’re gunning for a national or local seat, you need to adapt to the ever-changing landscape. This includes learning and implementing popular yet often misused and under-utilized social media strategies. For this week’s column, please allow me to deviate from my usual travel-related topics and let me share some tips on how you can use social media to help you win a government seat. These are just some of the things I learned all throughout the years as a publicist, social media strategist and US government leadership program alumnae (where my trips a...

Mar312016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Duterte son endorses Chiz Escudero for Vice President

Announcements, Bisaya, Controversial, Davao City, Davao del Sur, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Politics

Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte has officially endorsed the candidacy for vice president of Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero. Duterte and Escudero met with several other councilors in Davao City last March 31, 2016. This, according to a news report released by Davao Breaking News. Vice Mayor Duterte is the son of presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte. The Dutertes lead the local political party Hugpong Sa Tawong Lungsod. During the meeting, Duterte was quoted as saying, "Sinusuportahan ko ang kandidatura ni Vice President Chiz Escudero dahil sa lahat ng mga kumakandidato sa pagka bise presidente, siya lang po ang nakita kong tumulong at tutulong sa Davao City." “I choose Sen. Chiz Escudero as my VP given that he has significantly helped the City through his infrastructure proj...

Oct152015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Migz Zubiri to run for Senate anew, as Poe-Chiz guest candidate

Bukidnon, Government, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Politics

Former 3-consecutive term Bukidnon 3rd District Congressman and Senator for 4 years Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator as an independent earlier today, Wednesday, October 14, 2015, at the Commission on Elections main office. He was accompanied by his wife, newspaper lifestyle columnist Audrey Tan-Zubiri. Zubiri, who previously said he was quitting politics, told Mindanaoan.com that he got inspired by his No. 6 ranking in the latest survey of senatorial preferences. In the Sept. 8-14 Pulse Asia Research Inc. survey of senatorial preferences, Zubiri emerged as the sixth most favored by voters. “I’ve been very happy quietly living a private life with Audrey and our three kids, and tending to our small business for more than two years now. ...

Feb262015 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

At the Senator Chiz Escudero – Heart Evangelista wedding

Arts, Beauty, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Manila, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Politics, Society, Style, Weddings

I attended the Senator Chiz Escudero and Heart Evangelista wedding a few days ago. I have known Senator Chiz ever since he was still a congressman representing Sorsogon (yep, a very long time) so I was really thrilled to know that I was to witness this special, joyous occasion of his life. I know a lot of other media outlets have discussed the nitty gritty details of the Escudero-Ongpauco wedding (Heart’s real name is Love Marie Ongpauco) so I will just share a few thoughts and observations. The event saw lots of notable personalities - from top business leaders to government officials to celebrities, the food and the free flowing drinks were exquisite, venue was breathtaking (the candelabras adorned with white orchids, hydrangeas and snapdragons were absolutely beautiful), the u...

Feb72014 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Migs Zubiri: I’m quitting politics

Bukidnon, Business, News, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Politics, Society

Former Senator and 3-term Bukidnon congressman Juan Miguel "Migs" Zubiri says he is quitting politics and will now just devote his time on being a businessman. Zubiri, who served as Bukidnon 3rd District representative for 3 consecutive terms and became Senate Majority Leader, recently launched a business venture in Bukidnon. He told Mindanaoan.com that he is "no longer interested in politics." "I have decided to invest my time and finances in the province that I love," he said. His latest business venture is an ice plant in Malaybalay City, the capital of Bukidnon, called Z-Ice Purified Ice. His father, Bukidnon Governor Jose Zubiri, Jr., wife Audrey and Malaybalay City local officials were present during the ribbon cutting ceremony. Zubiri's statement comes amid rampant chatt...

Oct312013 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Mindanaoan is 2013 Mindanao Blogger Of The Year

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, America, Announcements, ARMM, Arts, Bacolod City, Banks, Basilan, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Bislig, Blogging, Broadcasting, Bukidnon, Business, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Campus, Caraga, Cebu City, Commentary, Compostela Valley, Consumer, Contests, Controversial, Corporate, Cotabato, Culture, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Dipolog, Education, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Flights, Food, Freebies, General Santos City, Gifts, Government, Headline, Hongkong, Hotels, Humor, Iligan City, Internet, Island Garden City of Samal, Jobs, Journalism, Kaamulan Festival, Koronadal, Kuala Lumpur, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Leisure, Macau, Maguindanao, Make Money Online, Malaybalay City, Malaysia, Manila, Marawi City, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Movies, Music, Musings, Muslim Mindanao, Negros Occidental, News, North Cotabato, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Ozamis, Pagadian, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Politics, Radio, Recipes, Religion, Resorts, Reviews, Sarangani, Shenzhen, Shopping, Sindangan, Singapore, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sports, Style, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacurong, Tangub City, Tawi Tawi, Technology, Television, Tourism, Travel, United States of America, Videos, Visayas, Weddings, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

It still feels a bit surreal, truth be told. Winning the 2013 Mindanao Blogger Of The Year award and the Best Lifestyle Blog award during the Mindanao Blog Awards 2013 held last October 26, 2013 in Davao City was the farthest thing from my mind. I was there to meet my blogger friends, have a good time, maybe drink a cocktail or two and cheer for other finalists. My mindset that night was (and I actually wrote this days before the finals): Win or lose, you are a champ. What's important is that you did your best in letting more people understand and appreciate the power of social media and blogging in sparking more conversations, making better communities and harnessing better understanding. Social good, folks. Only the good. So when my name was called, you could just imagine my shock. Yup...

May292013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Clean low cost electricity in Philippines? Yes!

Advocacy, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, ARMM, Bacolod City, BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Bukidnon, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Caraga, Cebu City, Commentary, Compostela Valley, Consumer, Corporate, Cotabato, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Dipolog, Education, Features, General Santos City, Government, Headline, Hongkong, Iligan City, Island Garden City of Samal, Koronadal, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Malaybalay City, Manila, Marawi City, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Musings, Muslim Mindanao, Negros Occidental, News, North Cotabato, Northern Mindanao, Ozamis, Pagadian, Personal, Politics, Sarangani, Sindangan, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacurong, Tangub City, Tawi Tawi, Technology, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

I have so much respect for people and organizations that champion alternative sources of energy for clean and reliable electrical power production! Currently, we depend largely on hydropower plants. Some electric cooperatives also use several solar panels to augment their sources of energy (Cagayan de Oro’s CEPALCO has a solar panel area) and we all know about the Bangui Wind Farm in Ilocos Norte. But what about production of electricity without doing much harm to the environment? What about affordable electricity brought about by alternative-energy technologies? Gasification is a solution! Gasification is a process of converting organic or carbon-containing matter into synthetic gas or syngas which could be used to generate electricity. I’m particularly interested with this because ...

May102013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

‘Fatwa’ against Senator Chiz Escudero withdrawn

Announcements, Muslim Mindanao, Politics

Sheikh Jamil Yahya, chairman of the Bangsamoro Supreme Council of Ulama (BSCU) and Grand Imam of the Mindanao Grand Mosque in Marawi City, announced that they had withdrawn the “fatwa” or Islamic legal pronouncement against Senator Chiz Escudero. “After listening to his explanation, I issued a statement withdrawing our fatwa against Sen. Escudero and I request Muslims all over the Philippines to vote for him,” Yahya said. The religious leader had earlier issued the fatwa against Escudero, claiming he was “anti-Muslim.” He called on Filipino Muslims not to vote for the re-electionist senator. The pronouncement was based on the senator’s alleged criticism of the meeting between President Benigno Aquino III and Moro Islamic Liberation Front Chairman Al-Hajj Murad Ebrahim last April i...

Mar312013 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Speaking at the Social Media Influencers Summit 2013

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Cebu City, Education, Events, Features, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, News, Personal, Politics, Society, Technology

The main reason why I was in Cebu City several days ago was to speak at the Social Media Influencers Summit 2013, touted as the largest gathering of social media enthusiasts in the Visayas. It was truly an honor to be one of the speakers especially since the lineup boasted of a lot of prominent online and social media personalities as well as thought leaders like Maria Ressa (CEO of Rappler.com) and Leah Besa-Jimenez (SMART). The Social Media Influencers Summit 2013 was held at J Centre Convention Hall, J Centre Mall, Mandaue City. About 300 social media users attended the summit, which was organized by iNewMedia Online in cooperation with the Cebu Bloggers Society. Topics that day included community social media influencers at work (the stories behind the Iloilo Bloggers Society...

Mar122013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Covering the Team UNA rally in Bukidnon

Bukidnon, Commentary, Events, Government, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Photos, Politics

It was a really long, tiring day. Woke up at 6 AM, which I rarely do, to start on the tasks. My hardworking staff members were still asleep, having only returned from their overnight propaganda tasks at 5 in the morning! Anyways, after hours of preparation, this was what happened the evening of March 2, 2013. Tens of thousands of people were already gathered at the Capitol Grounds in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. I have to say, though - the Team UNA campaign rally in Bukidnon was a concert-slash-rally-slash-fireworks-display event. Since it was the Kaamulan Festival 2013, there was a telecom-sponsored concert that night (topbilled by Itchyworms and Tanya Markova) plus the much-awaited grand fireworks display. Yes, there were people who came to hear the Team UNA senatorial candidates speak ...

Feb102013 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Enter the “Balwarte” of the Jalosjos clan – Zamboanga

Announcements, Controversial, Government, Media, Mindanao, Politics, Television, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

A few weeks ago, I joined a Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) - organized workshop. Media practitioners from all over Mindanao attended it. I think Mindanaoan was the only one from the "non-traditional" or online media community. Anyways, I met some Zamboanga-based journalists and they all shared the current political landscape in their area. They said that the May 2013 elections will be another show of force by the popular Jalosjos clan. I wanted to know more about how the members of the Jalosjos clan practically lorded over Zamboanga del Norte / Zamboanga Peninsula for many years and how, as my Zamboanga journalist friends would say, a "blessing" from someone like Romeo Jalosjos would spell a "sure win." Fortunately, TV5 recently visited Zamboanga and in...

Jan242013 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Warrant of arrest out for ex-Bukidnon rep Neric Acosta, mom Coring

Announcements, Bukidnon, Controversial, Government, Headline, News, Northern Mindanao, Politics

I received a phone call about two hours ago. It was a tip. Apparently, the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division has issued a warrant of arrest for former Bukidnon First District Congressman Juan Romeo Nereus "Neric" Acosta and his mother, former Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon mayor Socorro "Coring" Acosta. The warrant of arrest was made in connection with a perjury case filed against the Acostas. I was a bit surprised when I heard the news, actually. Especially since last I heard, the complainant, Fr. Venancio Balansag, Jr., has already withdrawn his complaint and has issued an affidavit of desistance. A brief backgrounder - graft and corruption charges as well as charges for violating the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials were filed against Neric Acosta and his mother. Th...

Oct252012 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

My thoughts: Duterte offers 5 Million bounty for suspected car theft syndicate leader

Blogging, Controversial, Davao City, Government, Musings, News, Opinion, Politics

I am a Dabawenya. Born and raised in Davao City. Anybody who knows me can attest to how much I love my hometown and how much I respect the government officials voted by the people. Anybody who has also been reading this Mindanaoan blog for a while now would know that I consider the Dutertes as not only powerful but efficient public officials. Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo "Rody" Duterte (who's running virtually unopposed for Davao City mayor in the May 2013 elections) has done a lot for Davao City. I'm pretty sure a lot of people would agree with me. He runs the city with an iron fist and his style of governance works well for a city like Davao. Under his leadership (and his daughter's, incumbent Mayor Sara), Davao became a smoke-free, firecracker-free and non-biodegradable plastics and...

Oct22012 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Lynard Allan Bigcas files COC as Bukidnon governor

Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Controversial, Events, Features, Government, Headline, Journalism, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Photos, Politics, Society

Controversial car dealer Lynard Allan Bigcas or Allan Bigcas has officially filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) as governor of the Province of Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines. A native of Talakag, Bukidnon, Allan Bigcas filed his COC today, October 2, 2012 at around 11:30 a.m. at the Bukidnon Provincial Commission on Elections (COMELEC) office. Bigcas said that he is running as Bukidnon governor under the Liberal Party but the certification that was attached to his COC was specifically from Aksyon Demokratiko party. The certification was signed by the party secretary general Ernesto Ramel. Bigcas said that Aksyon Demokratiko was in alliance with the Liberal Party. In a mini press conference, Bigcas, who was initially eyed to gun for the mayoralty seat in Talakag, said that he...