Bisdak News

01/11/2024

31/10/2024

It would require the painstaking gathering of evidence, including the explosive testimonies already obtained by the House quad committee from members of Duterte’s inner circle, to establish the indisputable connection between Duterte’s pronouncements and what appears to be a state policy on EJKs that followed in their wake.

31/10/2024

''With the recent battering of Typhoon Kristine, we cannot anymore say that climate change is a hoax,'' Solidum said in his speech at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week in Quezon City.

Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum emphasized the need for sustainable development on Wednesday while lamenting the devastation wrought by tropical cyclone Kristine (international name: Trami). Last week, Kristine swept across parts of Luzon, bringing with it powerful wind...

30/10/2024

profits prove electricity rates too high, says consumer group

The Power for People Coalition (P4P) on Wednesday pointed to the ₱43 billion expected profit of Meralco as proof that the power giant can afford to lower rates for consumers.

Meralco on October 28 said that it is on track to exceed its profit targets for the year after achieving a record consolidated core net income (CCNI) for the third quarter.

“Congratulations, Meralco. You have successfully squeezed consumers for yet another record year of profits. It is about time that this joyride for the energy company is ended by regulators in the form of lower rates for consumers,” said Gerry Arances, P4P Convenor.

P4P called on the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to study the utility’s books if it was providing the least-cost energy to consumers as required by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, or EPIRA. The coalition also urged Congress to cease the railroading of Meralco's franchise renewal and utilize the hearings to look into the company's many issues that may contribute to its bloated profits like its continued preference for expensive fossil fuels and high distribution rates.

“Energy companies are businesses which seek profit. However, the profit motive must be tempered by the nature of utilities as companies of public interest. The law mandates that the prices are justified and serves the interests of the public. So far, it seems like Meralco’s interest is the only one being served, as consumers continue to struggle with high electricity bills,” said Arances.

The energy consumer group also welcomed the call of President Ferdinand Marcos for a three-month moratorium on the collection of energy bills in areas affected by typhoon Kristine.

“Such a pause is the least that can be done for Filipinos who doubly suffer from choices made by Meralco and other energy companies to source electricity from coal and other fossil fuels - through high power rates and worse vulnerability to climate disasters. We urge the president and energy authorities to also put a stop to passed-on charges from volatile fossil fuel prices and operational costs. Meralco and other companies are able to boast of record profits only because consumers are getting their pockets drained,” Arances said.

28/10/2024

Di ta mangutana og tawo kay biased: So I asked AI:
QUESTION:
Does the death toll in Duterte's drug war qualify as mass murder?
ANSWER:
Liner Basic

The evaluation of whether the death toll in Rodrigo Duterte's "war on drugs" qualifies as mass murder involves analyzing the criteria associated with mass murder and the specific circumstances of the killings that have occurred in the Philippines since 2016.

Definition of Mass Murder

Mass murder is generally defined as the deliberate killing of a significant number of people in a systematic manner. Unlike genocide, which requires intent to destroy a particular national, ethnic, racial, or religious group, mass murder focuses on the large-scale, systematic violence against civilians, regardless of their identity group.

Documented Death Toll

Since the initiation of Duterte's campaign in June 2016, estimates indicate that over 12,000 individuals have died as a result of anti-drug operations, with a significant proportion identified as urban poor. Reports indicate varying figures for the total number of fatalities, with human rights organizations providing figures often surpassing those officially cited by the government.

Key Factors Indicative of Mass Murder

Systematic Nature: The killings have often been described as part of a structured, state-backed campaign against individuals labeled as drug suspects. Reports from organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch highlight the ex*****on-style killings, use of lists targeting drug suspects, and a clear intent to eliminate potential offenders.

Deliberate Targeting: Many killings are allegedly conducted by police and vigilantes under the guise of anti-drug operations, often following a predictable pattern where victims are labeled as threats or drug users. This systematic targeting aligns with characteristics found in mass murder cases.

Impunity: There is widespread impunity for perpetrators, with few legal consequences for the police or vigilantes involved in these killings, further suggesting an organized effort towards systematic elimination of targeted individuals.

Conclusion

Given these factors, the scale and systematic ex*****on of civilians during Duterte's anti-drug campaign can indeed be argued to qualify as mass murder, particularly as it meets specific criteria of large-scale, deliberate killings that reflect a policy or planned approach toward violence against certain groups within society.

Evaluating such scenarios, however, is complex and often contested, with contrasts drawn between definitions like mass murder and genocide. While genocide necessitates targeted intent against a specific group, the Philippine campaign displays elements of mass murder characterized by systematic killings devoid of widespread legal accountability.

Consequently, while many organizations and scholars may categorize these actions as mass murder, it is important to contextualize this under international law and humanitarian standards that may impose different definitions and obligations regarding accountability and justice.

24/10/2024

Silicon Valley-like investments up in CDO.

22/10/2024

Nanawagan tayo na imbestigahan ang mga scalper sa nalalapit na concert ng KPop girl group na 2NE1.
Maraming Pinoy concert-goers ang binubudol ng mga scalpers at etong darating na concert ng 2NE1 nga ay binubudol na naman ang ating mga kababayan. At dahil digital na rin ang pagbili ng tickets, kailangan na ring imbistigahan pati ang mga bot scalpers.
Iminumungkahi rin natin ang pagpasa ng isang batas na magpaparusa sa scalping.
Ang ating iminumungkahing batas ay lilikha ng isang mas patas at mas bukas na merkado. Sa ganitong paraan, mapoprotektahan ang mga mamimili mula sa pagsasamantala. Maiiwasan din ang pagbaluktot sa merkado na dulot ng reselling na ginagawa sa scalping.
Kasama na rito ang alintuntunin sa paggamit ng mga bot na bumibili ng mga tiket nang maramihan kung saan naaagrabyado ang mga ordinaryong mamimili.
Panloloko ang scalping. Pipila ka ng mahaba. O maghihintay ka online. Tapos wala na palang ticket o napakamahal na. Kawawa naman ang mga fans.
Kawawa rin ang mga artists kung di sila mapapanood ng fans nila o kung nabudol ang mga fans ng scalpers. Kaya yung iba ay nanonood abroad. Sayang ang perang sa Pilipinas na sana ginagastos, sa ibang bayan pa napupunta.
Iyan din ang ginawa natin sa bigas noon. Inayos natin ang sistema para sa mga Pilipinong mamimili. Hindi tayo nagpadala presyo ng scalpers ng bigas, sa presyong dala ng artificial inflation. Binaba natin sa tunay na balor ng bigas ang presyo ng pagbili natin dito.
Makikinabang din sa ating ipinapanukalang batas ang mga concert organizer dahil mapapanatili ang kontrol sa pamamahagi ng mga tiket o produkto sa kanila, at ang isang mas mahusay na reputasyon.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1159305305555349&set=a.410788440407043

Nanawagan tayo na imbestigahan ang mga scalper sa nalalapit na concert ng KPop girl group na 2NE1.

Maraming Pinoy concert-goers ang binubudol ng mga scalpers at etong darating na concert ng 2NE1 nga ay binubudol na naman ang ating mga kababayan. At dahil digital na rin ang pagbili ng tickets, kailangan na ring imbistigahan pati ang mga bot scalpers.

Iminumungkahi rin natin ang pagpasa ng isang batas na magpaparusa sa scalping.

Ang ating iminumungkahing batas ay lilikha ng isang mas patas at mas bukas na merkado. Sa ganitong paraan, mapoprotektahan ang mga mamimili mula sa pagsasamantala. Maiiwasan din ang pagbaluktot sa merkado na dulot ng reselling na ginagawa sa scalping.

Kasama na rito ang alintuntunin sa paggamit ng mga bot na bumibili ng mga tiket nang maramihan kung saan naaagrabyado ang mga ordinaryong mamimili.

Panloloko ang scalping. Pipila ka ng mahaba. O maghihintay ka online. Tapos wala na palang ticket o napakamahal na. Kawawa naman ang mga fans.

Kawawa rin ang mga artists kung di sila mapapanood ng fans nila o kung nabudol ang mga fans ng scalpers. Kaya yung iba ay nanonood abroad. Sayang ang perang sa Pilipinas na sana ginagastos, sa ibang bayan pa napupunta.

Iyan din ang ginawa natin sa bigas noon. Inayos natin ang sistema para sa mga Pilipinong mamimili. Hindi tayo nagpadala presyo ng scalpers ng bigas, sa presyong dala ng artificial inflation. Binaba natin sa tunay na balor ng bigas ang presyo ng pagbili natin dito.

Makikinabang din sa ating ipinapanukalang batas ang mga concert organizer dahil mapapanatili ang kontrol sa pamamahagi ng mga tiket o produkto sa kanila, at ang isang mas mahusay na reputasyon.

10/10/2024

Tatakbo si Kiko sa Senado!

09/10/2024

Sa loob ng tatlong buwan pagkatapos ng kanyang appointment sa Gabinete, hinabol niya ang mga smuggler at abusadong negosyante at hoarder, kinumpiska ang smuggled na bigas na nagkakahalaga ng bilyun-bilyong piso, nagsampa ng mga kasong kriminal laban sa kanila, at binawi ang kanilang mga permit. Nagsampa rin siya ng mga kaso laban sa mga tiwaling opisyal ng National Food Authority (NFA) sa anim na rehiyon sa buong bansa.

Bilang NFA chairman, ginawa niya ito sa tulong ng Bureau of Customs, National Bureau of Investigation, at Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

Sa unang pagkakataon sa 42-taong kasaysayan ng NFA, ginawa niyang patas at napapanahon niya ang sistema ng pag-aangkat ng bigas.

“Tinigil natin ang pag-import ng overpriced na bigas mula sa Thailand at Vietnam. Tinigil din ang tongpats,” sabi niya.

“Gutom ang taumbayan sa solusyon. Gutom ang taumbayan sa mga pangarap. Gutom ang taong bayan sa pag-asa. Kapag walang bahid, kapag tapat at totoo ang pamumuno at paglilingkod, mawawala na rin ang paggiging gutom ng ating minamahal na mga kababayan,” dagdag ni Kiko.

09/10/2024

Former senator Francis Kiko Pangilinan said that his Senate comeback bid will be anchored on ensuring food security.

08/10/2024

https://www.inquirer.net/416816/pangilinan-to-address-food-security-once-elected-in-senate/

Former senator Francis Kiko Pangilinan said that his Senate comeback bid will be anchored on ensuring food security.

04/10/2024

Witness the founding of the Kinaiyahan coalition. A multi-sectoral group to advocate for the welfare of the environment, climate, and sustainable development convened by the Most Reverend Jose Cabantan, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro.