New Cheap Justice, Ma. Lourdes Sereno

Cheap Justice Sereno

The cat is out in the bag.  After so much speculation and moro-moro, Abnoy appointed somebody who would toe the yellow line.  By virtue of her voting records, the new Cheap Justice has already showed to the Filipino nation that she would do anything for Abnoy.  That is the reason why Abnoy appointed her instead of Carpio, the thick faced chameleon who had been drooling over the CJ position far too long.

As we all know, the reason of CJ Corona’s removal was because of Hacienda Luisita.  Abnoy was so upset when the Corona let Supreme Court decided to give away Hacienda Luista to the farmers.  When the SC voted, it was Abnoy’s first appointee to the Supreme Court, Justice Sereno who issued dissenting opinion that the farmers can have Hacienda Luisita for Php. 10 Billion.  That dissenting opinion made Sereno the outright choice of Abnoy when CJ Corona was impeached and removed from office. 

When you say the farmers should pay Hacienda Luisita owners Php. 10 Billion, you’re obviously rewarding the Cojuanco and Aquino clan.  Hacienda Luisita was purchased using the government resources during the time of President Magsaysay.  The only condition was that the Hacienda should be distributed back to the farmers.  Several decades have passed and yet Hacienda Luisita was never subjected to Agrarian Reforms.  Now, Justice Sereno’s dissenting opinion was for the farmers to pay HL owners Php. 10 Billion.  That’s what you call tubong lugaw.  Wala na nga silang perang pinalabas to purchase the lands, gusto pa nilang makatanggap ng Php. 10 Billion.  Since walang pera ang mga magsasaka, gusto nila ang gobyerno ang sasalo ng responsibility to pay.  Ito yong sinasabing tubong lugaw na, ginisa pa sa sariling mantika ang sambayanang Filipino at mga magsasaka. 

The thick faced chameleon Antonio Carpio, who had been bypassed by FPGMA to become the Supreme Court Chief Justice was also bypassed by Abnoy when he appointed Justice Sereno.  Carpio has been drooling over the post far too long that he, the firm and his cousin Ombudsman Concheta Carpio Morales were the source of baseless allegations against CJ Corona.  When CJ Corona was removed, although there’s no constitutional provision for Acting Chief Justice, he immediately named himself.  In order to show Abnoy that he’s willing to toe Abnoy’s line, he ruled for the usage of PCOS Machines for 2013 elections.

Sereno will also seat at the longest serving Cheap Justice if she’s not impeached, she will served for 18 years.  Abnoy was just planning for his exit strategy.  For sure, he will be hounded by several cases when he stepped down from office and having Sereno as his Cheap Justice will assure that he will be protected.

As for Cheap Justice Sereno, wag masyadong maging komportable sa iyong kinauupuan.  Remember that CJ Corona was impeached and removed from office because of non-declaration of SALN.  As you know, Sereno did not disclose her earnings when she was the government lawyer for Fraport.  If CJ Corona was removed because of non-declaration, you too can be removed.  There’s already a precedent and once Abnoy steps down from office, you’ll be impeached as well.

Justice Antonio Carpio – KARMA KARMA KARMA

Justice Antonio Carpio

If there’s one person who made it obvious his ambition to become the Philippines’ Chief Justice it is none other than Justice Antonio Carpio.  Well, he’s been drooling with the position far too long that he did everything in order to get CJ Corona removed from office, with the intentions of course, of becoming the next Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.  When CJ Corona was removed in an unimpeachable office, non-declaration of SALN, Carpio did not waste time but to appoint himself as the Acting Chief Justice.  As you all know, there is no Acting Chief Justice in the 1987 Constitution. 

Carpio and his cousin, Ombudsman Concheta Carpio Morales helped the prosecution in building their case against CJ Corona. The baseless allegations that were thrown against CJ Corona came from them.  The help that they extended was of course, with the hope that one day, Abnoy will appoint him as CJ.  Carpio, to show his willingness to toe the line of Malacanang right away approved the use of PCOS for the 2013 elections.  Again, so that he will be appointed as Abnoy’s Chief Justice.

Carpio and The Firm are very influential. They used to be FPGMAs private lawyers.  However, because of the falling out they had with FPGMA, Carpio and his cousin Concheta Carpio Morales have been voting against FPGMAs administration.  Since Carpio and The Firm want to yield influence in the Abnoy Administration, they’ve been voting for Abnoy.  When Abnoy assumed office on 2010, it was Concheta Carpio Morales who swore him in.  Concheta Carpio Morales would later be named as the Ombudsman, to replace Merceditas Gutierrez who resigned because Abnoy pressured her with an impeachment complaint.

Carpio has been playing dirty ever since.  He thinks that he would always get what he wants as long as he will held the president under his pocket.  The reason why Abnoy instead choose an ass licker, Cheap Justice Sereno was because he was scared of how Carpio would turn out.  Carpio has been known for being a chameleon, he changes his political color if it will benefit him and his law firm.    

Carpio must’ve been devastated.  I feel sorry for him because he would die to become a Chief Justice.  He hurt a lot of people because of his ambition.  Sabi nga nila, wag mong mithiin kung hindi talaga para sa iyo.  That’s KARMA, garbage in and garbage out.  Karma strikes you when you least expect it.  Sometimes, Karma would wait years for it to take effect but for others, it happens in seconds.  Just like what happened to Carpio.

So, expect a dissenting vote from Carpio et.al., for all of Abnoy’s petition.  Diyan naman siya magaling, ang maghiganti.  Abnoy will now feel what FPGMA must’ve felt before.  Sabi nga, garbage in and garbage out.

Al Gara Mountains, Hofuf

Our Company’s Eid Al Fitr Holidays was declared on 18-21 August 2012.  According to my flatmate D, we shouldn’t go out on the first day since the shops would definitely be closed for business.  We checked Al Khobar on the first day of Eid and he was right.  We decided to stay at home.  I was busy the whole time because I was doing the pre-reading for my SHRM Live Classes for 2 September 2012.  I also catalogued my multimedia files.  We decided to go out of Al Khobar on Monday the third day of the Eid Al Fitr Holidays. 

D and Leo earlier decided that we go to Hofuf.  I’ve never been to Hofuf before and going there seems exciting.  We brought Toto Garry with us since it’s also his day off.  Leo knows Hofuf by heart since he went there a couple of times.  It took us 2 hours to reach Hofuf.  Going to Hofuf is like going to Riyadh.  You won’t be able to see anything except endless sea of sands.  Outside temperature that day was over 50 degrees.  The good thing is, the humidity is low.  Yes, you can bear the heat as long as there’s less humidity. 

Al Hassa or Hofuf in general is a farming community.  You’ll get to see irrigation canals which of course are unimaginable in the Kingdom of the Sands.  Trees or should I say palm trees grow in abundance.  Farmers farm them for their dates.  Farmers also grow produce which they sell to the local markets. 

Hofuf has the rustic beauty that you can’t see elsewhere in the Kingdom.  However, that beauty was neglected by the people and the authorities.  The roads leading to the Al Gara Mountain range became everyone’s dumpsite.  Trash are scattered everywhere. 

As a tourist destination, the least that the local authority could do is to clean it.  New buildings sprouting at the foot of the Al Gara Mountain practically blocked and killed the beauty of the mountains. 

I told Leo that Hofuf did not meet my expectations.  We went there to see the Mountain Ranges and the Caves but the garbage shattered all my expectations.  We promise ourselves that we’re going back to Hofuf come Hajj Holidays.  I think going there on October is a lot better.  The climate would hopefully change by that time.    

Robredo, DILG Chief, Dead

Last Photo Taken from the late DILG Chief Jesse Robredo

When Habagat hit the Megapolis, a lot of lives were lost.  It took our President days before he showed up.  When he decided to show up, he brought with him his favored senatorial bets in the names of Rissa Hontiveros (Llamas’ mistress), Joey Villanueval (Epal from Tesda), Miro Quimbo (Globe Asiatic Scam), younger sister Kris Aquino (Venereal Disease Queen), Mar Roxas (of the Putang Ina fame), Sonny Angara (Epal Prince), and a lot of more senatorial wannabees who have no name recall.

When Jesse Robredo’s plane crashed near the coast of Masbate, President Abnoy did not spare any minute.  He stayed there and micromanaged the search and rescue operation to retrieve the body of the fallen DILG Chief.  You can just see the difference of how Abnoy reacted when he learned the crash.  It only means that he does not care for the people because they’re not his KKK.  Robredo on the other hand is a die-hard yellow, a KKK to be exact.

The social networking sites were quick to put the blame on Abnoy.  He was supposed to be in Cebu instead of Robredo.  Because of Abnoy’s habit of Noynoying, claiming that his weekend is sacred that he decided to send the DILG Chief Instead.  Conspiracy theories came out about the supposed assassination attempt from people who salivate for Robredo’s position.  One of them is Panfilo ‘Pinky’ Lacson, who claimed that Robredo helped him evade the laws while he was hiding.  Another suspect of Robredo’s death is the Undersecretary Puno, Abnoy’s KKK, whose only qualification being named in the post is he’s a shooting buddy of the president.  Laila Delima (involved with her Driver / Lover) is also a suspect because when she learned of the plane crash she went to Robredo’s apartment and right away took all of his personal things.  Robredo’s aid’s statement is also inconsistent that foul play indeed happened.

It’s part of our culture that it’s not fashionable to say bad things about the deceased. That culture practically made Cory Aquino, Abnoy’s mother a Saint.  It’s also that culture that catapulted his abnormal son to the presidency.  LP and the yellows know that they can capitalize on Robredo’s death that they began putting yellow ribbons to Robredo’s house.  Epal politicians like Porky Pig Drilon and Mar Roxas (Putang Ina fame) was seen crying crocodile tears.  Grace Padaca, convicted for graft and corruption has the guts to show her face and cried her heart out.  Many wannabee politicians who were criticized for their early campaigning during the Habagat disaster went to Naga, not to pay their respect but hoping that cameras will be able to capture them so that the voting public will remember them.

It’s amazing how these dirty politicians are making Robredo’s death for their political ends.  It’s rude and tasteless.  Si Lord na ang bahala sa kanila.

Life’s a bitch and he became one…

I’m not a celebrity.  I don’t have what they called ‘K’ to be called one.  Pero you’ll wonder why I have a critic, a lone critic that is.  A friend said that you’ll only have critic if you’ve already reached the peak of your career.  I’m still on the ladder of success I guess but I have not reached the peak.  They say your crowning glory if you’re in a corporate world is being designated as a manager.  I’m not even into a supervisory role.

Around March this year, I had a very exciting confrontation scene with one of the oldies here in our company. That pathetic old man (bitch), is my lone critic, as they say.  I never backed down on any confrontations, verbal or physical.  I always made it a point that I win in each of the arguments or fights.  Well, yeah, I did win that round.  The old bitch suffered hypertension.  Kapal nga ng mukha, siya nag umpisa ng away at siya pa ang may ganang magsumbong sa boss ko.  What he doesn’t know I’ve already told my boss. My boss knows everything that happens here. 

Today, the pathetic old bitch started early. Nagparinig na naman emphasizing ‘SPECIALIST HMMM’.  He’s obviously referring to me.  Besides, I was promoted early this year into a specialist role.  I just took his parinig with a stride because I know that whatever it is, it’s just envy.  I even posted it in my fb wall.

“Gosh.  Nagparinig na naman ang matanda.  Baka nakalimutan na niyang talo siya sa away naming noon?  Baka gusto niya ma award ulit at ma alta presyon na naman sya?  I really don’t know why he’s like that.  If that’s not called inggit, then I don’t know what it is.  Pathetic Bitch!”

My immediate boss told me that I should not dignify the parinig.  I’ll follow his advice.  Besides, I remembered that I did promise him before that I will not anymore stoop down to the old bitch’s level.  Sabi ko nga whatever issues he has, it can only be summed up to one thing, INGGIT.

We can’t change him because he’s too old to change.  It’s a pity that he lives his life with so much bitterness.  The saddest thing is that he made all the bitterness himself.  You can’t change the world but you can change your behavior, the way you see things.  He’s the exact example of ‘Life’s a bitch and you became one’.  We all have problems to deal with but it should never make us hate others whom we think are better than us.  What you don’t know, they’re also dealing with problems heavier than yours.  It’s just that they don’t make their problems define them.  He’s hopeless, he’s not even worth it. So, I’ll ignore him and mamatay siya sa inggit!

Profession Change

Finally, the profession in my Iqama (work permit) was changed to Marketing Specialist.  Since Marketing Specialist is a professional title, I can now have a visa on arrival to the GCC member countries.  I don’t travel that often.  In fact, the last time I was in Bahrain was 4 years ago on a holiday.  I have been to Dubai and Qatar but only on transit. 

The normal practice of companies here in the Kingdom of the Sands even to these days, is to recruit professionals but deploy them on a labor visa.  I never encountered problems before with the visa that I was using (welder), because I don’t travel.   My sponsor at that time too is a steel manufacturing facility so having a welder visa is no problem.  In fact, having a welder visa will spare you from being harassed by the authorities, if you know what I mean.

The Nitaqat system changed all that.  Although I don’t personally have problem with my visa, my sponsor, the steel manufacturing facility is working hard to increase their Saudization rate.  Hence, they really have to get rid of me in their system.  So, before I left for my annual vacation, they made sure to change my profession from welder to Marketing Specialist.  When I reported back to work, I was transferred from my old sponsor, the steel manufacturing facility to the Holding Company.

One of the benefits of having a professional visa is that you’ll be able to bring in your family.  In my case, sadly, I won’t be able to avail of that privilege.  As you know, I’m currently on a bachelor status.

My flat mate told me that we should go to Qatar on the Eid Al Fitr holiday.  I refused his invitation because I just got back from my annual vacation.  I’ve exhausted my resources.  It’ll probably be 4-5 months before I can be liquid again.  Doha’s nice according to a friend who settled there.  He just warned us that it’s an expensive city.  We maybe surprise of the cost of goods.  God willing, I may be able to travel in the future.   

Flooding.. Is not fun in the Philippines

Our politicians’ only interest is how they can pocket government resources.  They only care about how much pork barrel a sitting president can give them.  It’s always about them.  They don’t care if people are displaced or drowned by flooding caused by torrential rains.  They simply lack foresight.  Flooding is not new to us.  We’ve always encountered it but we never learned from it.  The worst thing is, the current Abnoy administration scrapping the anti-flooding project initiated by his predecessor.  If the project was not cancelled, many lives and properties would have been spared.  That’s our government, no foresight at all.

I know that there is no law requiring the sitting president to be in the Ground Zero of the calamity.  However, as the father of the nation, people expect him to be there.  He doesn’t have to hand over relief goods.  He just has to be there to assure his people that their president is with them.  The president was nowhere to be seen despite the rains and impending calamity.  When he showed up, he blamed people, bragged that his administration is better prepared than his predecessor.  It’s just unacceptable.

First and foremost, blaming people who were ravaged by the flooding is the height of being incentive.  It’s not also the forum to boast about oneself.  FPGMAs administration, for all its faults was visible during the times of crisis.  You’ll see FPGMA inspiring her people.  Unfortunately, Abnoy is always the last one to come.  He’s confined in the comforts of Malacanang, playing PSP while people are suffering. 

I’m not saying that people were not entirely to blame with the flooding.  Flooding is an indirect consequence of us abusing our nature, cutting our trees.  We also throw our garbage everywhere and that clogged our drainage.  But we have a government.  We pay our taxes for those people to work their butts off.  Any Juan has the right to demand that their politicians work. 

We’re in a situation where we should mend our ways.  It’s either we mend our ways or die drowning.

I don’t know what to say…

Yesterday, my enrollment to the Fall 2012 SHRM Program / SPHR Live Classes was finalized.  As a requisite to raising a request for payment for the course fee, I’m required to sign a training agreement.  Since I’m the one who prepares for the training agreement, I put 1 year as the service requirement.  My immediate boss, right away signed the training agreement. 

In raising the Request for payment though, I need the signature of the Functional Head or our VP.  He quizzed me why the service agreement was only for one year.  I told him that as far as I know, that’s the standard service agreement to all employees.  He said that’s not acceptable.  It should be 4 years for me.  I told him that it’s too much.  He finally said that three years would do.  I told him it’s still unfair.  He walked out and went to my immediate superior where he was told that two years would be fair.

I really don’t mind signing for two years.  It’s just that why only me?  That’s my usual question if I’m in this kind of situation.  Bakit sila pwede sa akin hindi?  Ano ang pinagkaiba nila sa akin? I just kept my mouth shut since I was looking forward to learning more from the training. 

During the time when I was still reporting to our Functional Head (VP), he never sent me to any training.  He never did. He would support other non-deserving people but not me.  I was supposed to attend to the Psychometric Testing Certification Programs with SHL before in Cairo and Abu Dhabi but I missed all those because of him.  Now that I’m not reporting directly to him, I still feel that he doesn’t want me to learn new skills. 

It’s not really a big issue but I don’t think I can be blamed for thinking this way.  I really thought that like other employees, I deserved to be sent to programs that would help me bring in new skills.  It’s just ironic that I’m an HR Professional, we’re helping employees to identify their Individual Development Programs (IDPs) yet, here’s our boss, trying to block any training opportunities for me.

Anyways, he signed the Request for Payment and that the most important thing.  Once the payment is made, I’ll have to get my materials so I can start with my pre-readings.

I’ll be happy for you

For some, being happy for their ex is easier said than done.  Last week, in passing a Junior Staff for our Luxury Compound in Dhahran, mentioned that he was sad when he saw in facebook his ex-girlfriend’s wedding photo.  The JS respects me a lot and even calls me Manong. I think that’s the reason why he opened up.  I told him the usual questions one asks himself if he’s in that situation, are questions like ‘Ano ayhan kung nangin kami?’ and ‘Basi siguro ako na to ara sa laragway’.

He said that there was regret because what they have was not official.  They were MU. yes.  So, in that sense, I don’t think it’s even proper that they call each other their ‘Xs’.  They were both waiting to make it official.  He left Iloilo, moved to another place and even decided to work abroad.  The girl probably thinks that she’s better off with somebody since JS did not say anything to her.  Girl who loves the boy but can’t confess has to be blamed in our culture.  It’s just not accepted.  But in a way, the boy also has fault for not declaring his love for the girl.

I told JS that having regret is just being human.  It’s natural to feel bad and feel sad.  If he did not feel something when he saw the photos, it means he has not loved her.  I also told him that maybe it wasn’t mean to be.  He’s too young I think to settle down.  He looks like he just graduated from high school for goodness sake!  He’s good looking and witty and I think there’s one girl out there waiting for him.

Can we really be happy for our ex? The answer is, YES.  It will be difficult at first but eventually, you’ll be able to move on.  I had my share of heartaches and yes, they don’t last.  It’s just a matter of saying goodbye and hello.  You’ll get used to it, nakakamanhid din.

Last Thursday

Being accompanied by somebody has a way of boosting confidence to some people.   Last Thursday, I experienced a very funny situation.  I was walking at the back of As Salama Hospital when I saw John.  He was pretending to hide but I saw him.  So, I called his attention by saying ‘Psst’.  Out of nowhere, I saw my BFF, in short for kalaban.  I ignored him because John right away showed me the ‘Royale’ portfolio he’s holding.  I was so engrossed by what John was saying then I noticed that BFF and his companion went out of their way to go back to where I was. 

I suddenly saw them coming so I was prepared myself.  You know me, I was a born fighter.  I sure could fight verbally but I’m also stronger.  I’ve had my fair share of being in punching matches in Al Khobar.  Funny, they didn’t say anything.  They just passed by.  I was waiting for BFF to say something nasty but I was just disappointed!

I don’t know but I’m not anymore intimidated by people.  Fighting matches are not just about physical strength anyway.  In fact, if I’m hurt during the fighting match, my adrenalin’s alive and kicking.  I think BFF and his companion were able to see that they can’t bring me down.  I was just waiting for the first blow but it didn’t come.  I was disappointed. LOL.  I will not definitely ask for John’s help but if worse comes to worst, John will be there.  They might not have realized that John is a Judo Black Belt. LOL.

I told D. about it when I arrived home.  D. says that since they did not provoke me, they were not looking for trouble.  Okay but if they’re looking for one, I will never back down.  I was thinking about their actions while I was resting.  I don’t really know why they came back if they’re not looking for trouble.  I just told myself that if they want to fight, I’ll be ready.  Wag lang silang umiyak kung sila’y aking masuntok.