This is the #NeverForget Diary, a weekly summary of what’s happening in the Philippines under Marcos II. In a time of mangled histories and fragile memories, it’s crucial never to forget. (Note: this post may be clipped in your email inbox. Photo above from the Office of the Press Secretary.)
Interior and local gov’t secretary Benhur Abalos called on all police colonels to submit their courtesy resignations, amid concerns that some of them are involved in drug operations—a not-so-subtle indictment of the Duterte war on drugs.
Makes you wonder: what was Duterte’s bloody drug war for?
Meanwhile, shortly after being booted out and named as ambassador to India, Andres Centino was reinstated by the president as chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. This is highly irregular.
Amid changes in the military and police, destabilization rumors flew about in chat groups—but the police denied such rumors. The police was also on high alert, but supposedly because of the upcoming Translacion (Feast of the Black Nazarene) on January 9.
This week, Justice Secretary Boying Remulla was accused as the mastermind behind the killing of journalist Percy Lapid:
And quite unsurprisingly, a court acquitted Juanito Jose Remulla III, son of justice secretary Boying Remulla, in the former’s case regarding possession of illegal drugs.
Here’s how Juanito Remulla was acquitted:
Justice Secretary Remulla said he was relieved: “I am glad justice is served.” What a joke.
A travesty of justice in the Philippines.
Kit Belmonte of the Liberal Party was one of Juanito Remulla’s lawyers. (Note: I previously wrote “formerly” of LP; mea culpa.)
Meanwhile, former senator Leila de Lima remains behind bars for trumped-up drug charges. She’s been detained for 6 years already. Remulla’s son? Just 2.5 months.
TRANSPORT CRISIS
Another photo of the air traffic control chaos last week.
Compare this with the airspace of Ukraine at the start of the Russian invasion in early 2022.
The investigation regarding the CAAP failure is not yet concluded. But is it really all about a faulty UPS? Ironic since UPS stands for Uninterruptible Power Supply.
Also, the CAAP is apparently investigating…itself?
Photo ops that supposedly show that gov’t officials are on top of the situation.
Marcos Jr. said sorry for the air traffic mishap, a full 5 days after the event:
There are renewed discussions about the pros and cons of privatizing air traffic control:
The air traffic control chaos was a one-off thing. But the transport crisis is felt by commuters daily.
New year, old commuting woes.
Yet another bad take from celebrity Donnalyn Bartolome:
What does the new Philippine Development Plan (2022-2028) say about the transport crisis?
Everything is not hopeless.
Apart from the air traffic control glitch, BPI’s system also experienced a glitch where some dubious transactions appeared in peoples’ accounts. New year, new glitches.
Here’s another glitch?
THE ECONOMY
Inflation inched up to 8.1% in December, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Core inflation is still rising, suggesting that this spell of inflation is not just about food.
That said, bread prices are going up, up, and away, as captured by this image of Gardenia G-locks.
Bread inflation is corroborated by data:
As said satirically by one netizen:
Onions also continue to be exorbitant and in short supply.
They’re almost thrice as expensive as grapes in some areas.
The Department of Agriculture is mulling importation of red onions, but they should’ve done this months ago.
Here’s what presidential son and Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos said about onions in Ilocos:
To try to help people, the Marcos Jr. government sells cheap food items at Kadiwa stores. But the lines are long and this doesn’t address the root cause of the problem…
…reminiscent of his father’s Kadiwa stores during the dictatorship.
Here’s a better response: the president extended tariff cuts to abate inflation.
New year, new income tax brackets thanks to the 2017 TRAIN law:
New year, new budget. But Ping Lacson corrected finance secretary Diokno.
My first article of 2023, a look back at the technocrats who ended up supporting Maharlika.
New year, new travels. The president visited China for his first state visit of the year.
In President Marcos Jr.’s state visit to China this week, he allegedly brought home with him P22 billion worth of investment pledges.
But that’s not impressive in itself.
Btw Marcos Jr. has another trip abroad in Feb.
“The demand for results from [Marcos Jr.’s] presidency will most likely intensify as the economy becomes tougher,” says Rappler’s Marites Vitug.
FEELING AT HOME
New year, new homes in the presidential compound.
Meanwhile, presidential wife Liza Marcos said in a short video message that she denies having a hand in military promotions.
But in the same video she says that if someone namedrops her, she will “tell [her] husband not to appoint you”—contradicting herself.
MISCELLANY
Amid a new Covid variant, renewed calls for travel bans are shunned by the DOH:
An oral pathologist corrects Nicanor Austriaco, one of the more famous analysts of the pandemic.
Just because most western economies will likely experience a recession doesn’t mean it’s the same for developing Asia.
Rants from disgruntled academic personnel of UP.
Ateneo’s debate team became world champions. Congrats!
Dave Bautista covered up one of his tattoos because of Pacquiao’s homophobic comments in the past.
Some National Book Store outlets are closing, prompting discussions about the demise of NBS:
GRAPHS OF NOTE
The PH’s population density nationwide:
Electric vehicle sales are way up:
Atmospheric methane is also at a record high.
Understanding Gen-Z: why are they so risk-averse?
Related piece by Rappler’s Beth Frondoso:
Data show that research papers are becoming less disruptive over time.
CHATGPT & AI
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommended report: The earth’s 6th mass extinction, happening now.
Recommended lecture: By economist and IMF Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath.
Recommended essay: By Nobel laureate Angus Deaton.
Excerpt:
In my view, a central problem of modern mainstream economics is its limited scope. The field has become unmoored from its proper basis, which is the study of human welfare.
Recommended movie: The Menu. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding performances, especially by Ralph Fiennes.
Recommended movie: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reminiscent of the style in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Great graphics and plot.
The #NeverForget Diary is a free newsletter. But if you find it especially useful and informative, please consider making a small donation through GCash to help make this project sustainable. Thank you!