It is clear in the dictionary that discrimination is defined as the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of ethnicity, age, sex, or disability. So what is the issue in Benguet regarding the dismay of some locals against Honourable Congressman Eric Yap who is not born or raised in Benguet, running for his second re-election?
Congressman Yap was happily welcomed by Benguet People with wide open arms, with no opposition or objection, when he was appointed to take over as Congressman of the Province when the late Honorable Fongwan died in 2019. We was joyfully accepted, he was not discriminated.
Congressman Yap moves freely in Benguet, even to the depths of far flung areas of municipalities of Benguet. He enjoys walking around the hospitality of Benguet people with no threat or criticism from locals about his physical, sexual, age, or racial background. He is not discriminated. In fact locals appreciate him even those who oppose him now.
Congressman Yap can avail any services or provisions that locals of Benguet enjoy. Congressman Yap is not discriminated. In fact, he is buying properties as much as he can freely all at his disposal. Congressman Yap is not discriminated. He is with all the power and provision.
So what is the issue with locals regarding his bid for second re-election? A considerable portion of Benguet population has now noticed that the hospitality that was extended is being abused and used in some ways for the locals to be discriminated in their own land. Discriminated by means of them not being given the chance to govern their own province. Discrimination by means of giving all the funds and creating projects or programs which are interpreted by a portion of Benguet people as intended to amuse and hold the people of Benguet.
Local aspiring leaders and their supporters have now stood up to say that enough is enough. Thank you Congressman Yap for your service and generosity. Thank you for looking after our people and province when our own Congressman Fongwan died. We welcomed you on your appointment and supported you on your second re-election. We let you enjoy the hospitality and tranquility of Benguet but is now time for you to go. To return to your town where you are needed by your own community. Let Benguet people govern their own people and province, their way. Indigenous people like people in Benguet have their own ways of living and its politics that need to be protected and preserved from the elements of corruption and other bad influences of their outside world.
Honourable Congressman Eric Yap is not discriminated, the people of Benguet and local aspiring leaders are the ones discriminated, and with those mouth-watering provisions, will “ULAW” the vulnerable and tranquil Benguet people and not given the chance to govern their way for their own land and people.
PINOYS Served as elected officials abroad in democratic countries such as USA and UK. So why not Yap, a fellow Filipino to Benguet? In strict countries such as in the Middle East, Filipinos will never have the chance of becoming an official, or even a citizen of that country. Only countries like UK and USA where democracy allows foreigners to become a citizen of their country. If you become citizen of a country, then you will enjoy the privileges like getting elected as public official. However, political exercises in these countries are far advanced from the practices in the Philippines in terms of equal opportunity. In UK for example, politicians will have the same playing field in terms of campaign. No posters in the streets for each politician, only approved flyers. Candidates campaign focusing on their party’s manifesto or platform. No other gimmicks like ayuda, SUV, silyasi, watwat, orocan table and chairs or any other gimmick that will cause controversy such as elements of corruption or vote-buying. This will allow any candidate to be able to campaign in the same playing field with other candidates. Political parties and candidates will compete in communicating their manifesto or platforms. Manifesto or platforms are normally of a national scope. Local candidates will align with these manifesto on their campaign. When they are elected, their performance will be judged by people whether or not they achieve their platform or manifesto. Manifesto or Platforms will normally be about establishing or improving healthcare, defense, education, infrastructures, or other areas that will improve the lives of people as a whole system. Politicians are also equally judged for their integrity and conduct in public. That is why most public officials resign immediately when they are involved in a sensitive issue or controversy. In the Philippines, it is very different. The system allows incumbent officials to develop advantages over their possible rivals such as, providing ayuda or programs and structures and items depicting their names (using their own or public funds). A system that allows politician in corrupting the electorate. Any official or candidate can easily create artificial and politically motivated projects such as creating environment where sick people rely under their mercy instead of creating healthcare programs that benefit all people, rich and poor; where no cancer or dialysis patient have to be begging or living under their mercy or provision of a politician. This is the danger in Benguet. The “hungry”electorate are very vulnerable with these practices. So help them God. Kankanaey short translation: Enggay pay tan, siya et kayman adi nu say layden yu. Highland Ilocano translation: Ket anya ngay, isu iman kayat ti tao.
I attended church today. As I held my child and put her up on my shoulder for her to have a better view of the praise and worship, it made me close my eyes and reflect for a moment.
Am I being fair? Help me God.
I then promise to state my real intentions, for the enlightenment of our supporters, for the people of Benguet and to our 2 respected leaders. To hopefully unconfuse the already confused.
Am I Anti-Yap?
No. I do respect and acknowledge the initiative and effort of our beloved Congressman Yap for the progress of Benguet. It is not easy for a stranger to win the hearts of people. Congressman Yap did all the ways and means he deemed necessary to win the people of Benguet. I am just a simple iBenguet but may you listen to my sentiment as a Pro-Benguet towards the end of this statement.
Am I Pro-Tagel?
No. I am being political but not partisan. I have promised to be such when I established TCC. That is why we did not solicit from Politicitians for our charity works so that we will not be influenced or attached to them. My postings might in some ways favour VG Tagel’s camp but it was not my intention.
So what do I mean for being a Pro-Benguet?
I simply mean that while I strongly encourage Benguet having a leader amongst its people, I do not disrespect the appointment of Congressman Yap when our own Congressman Fongwan died. I do not discount that he won the mandate from people who voted for him when he ran for his first elected term in 2022. I do not disregard the projects and initiatives he made for the Province of Benguet the scholarships and grants he extended to the sick. I want to simply ask that he may honestly tell the people of Benguet that his time was all coincidentally favoured by the generosity of Duterte’s Build Build Build Program, with him being appointed as the Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations in the House that helped him secure huge funding, that his terms have been compoundedly favoured by the generosity of Raffy Tulfo and ACT-CIS Partylist. May he honestly speak to people of Benguet that it is indeed be difficult for any future Benguet congressman to get the same funds and will be difficult to do what he has done. Not because of the inability of any future congressman but because their circumstances may never be the same. May he honestly speak to people of Benguet that his favoured term of office should not be used to despise past and future congressmen because there circumstances are not on the same playing field. May he speak to people of Benguet that past Congressmen also did their best to serve with the available resources at hand. This will help settle the minds of Benguet people who have the same thinking as me, a pro-Benguet. We are normal territorial creatures who do not want to be threatened and undermined by a “stranger”. Some humans beings have that kind of trait and so with some Benguet people most especially those who have dreams of leading our own people. I hope you understand that. It is nothing against you, it is just a call of nature, of being iBenguet. May you use this opportunity, to pass your wisdom to our own aspiring leaders. I am sure that this will be a more valuable legacy of yours for Benguet people than the rocknetting projects.
So why don’t I campaign for VG Tagel to be the next Congressman?
While I strongly prefer having our leader amongst our own people of Benguet, I do not want to be a partisan and be attached to a politician. I do believe that VG Tagel have the capability to be a congressman same as Congressman Yap. May this controversy be a challenge to him and our future leaders that the people of Benguet have now seen the difference. You may not be able to surpass what Congressman Yap has done but I am sure that showing the people of Benguet your dedication and commitment to service will win their approval.
What do I want from iBenguets?
While Benguet people have seen differences of the works of Congressman Yap compared to our past congressmen, may they realise that it is unfair for them to dismiss and disregard the effort and hardwork of our own officials. They made hardwork to make Benguet as what it is today. May they realise that if it was Congressman Yap who served during the time of our previous congressmen, he might not be able to do what he has done now.
I hope and pray, that whoever wins as Congressman of Benguet this election will do their best for the people of Benguet and not for their own political and material interest. That whoever wins will take the lead in creating a law that will establish free healthcare for all Filipinos; that cancer patients will not have to beg for their chemotherapy, kidney disease patients will not have to beg for their dialysis, that all medical and diagnostic procedures are free for all Filipinos without having to go under the mercy of Congressmen and politicians. That all allowances and funds of congressmen and senators are consolidated into one to establish a free social and health care system for Filipinos where it continues from generations to generation without the threat of being discontinued or disrupted by politicians who will win over other politicians.
That our Congressman will lead in drafting a law that will seek to educate farmers and gardeners in the proper use of pesticides, insecticides and other chemicals used in farming. This may pave a way to study the effects of fertilisers and chemicals to the health of consumers, or its relation to the notable kidney disease that have markedly increased within the population. This may also pave a way to help introduce to farmers the technologies and advances in agriculture that will minimise the use of expensive chemicals used in farming. To create an effective law that will protect the livelihood of farmers from the abuses of middle man merchants, smuggling or illegal importation of similar crops produced by Benguet farmers. To create law that will seek to provide welfare or compensation when affected by calamities.
That our Congressman will pave a way to legislate welfare of small scale miners that aims for the protection, or provide alternative for their livelihood.
Again, laws that shall provide permanent benefits to Benguet farmers and miners throughout generations, not from gimmicks of each passing administration.
Filipinos are tired already of Filipino political system where poor people are used by politicians to cling to their power. We can never move for progress if each congressmen and senators are given allowances and funding for projects of their liking. This system is very prone for corruption and abuse. It was created for micro-government among politicians.
I am aware, I am just nothing. Who am I to tell our 2 respected aspirants my thought and my words? I am just saying all this as a pro-Benguet. Iyaman to all who have understood, supported and shared the same sentiment. Likewise, dispensar to all who may I have offended. Happy Palm Sunday and Vote Wisely on May 12. God bless us all.
When a former head of state who offered his life for the service of Filipinos, 80-years old frail man, Tatay Rodrigo “Digong” Roa Duterte is supposed to be resting comfortably with his family at his own home in Davao, is instead in another country surrounded by strangers, sleeping alone. That’s the sad situation our Tatay Digong is in, a result of the political ambitions of the heartless Bong Bong Marcos.
When Tatay Digong was the President of the Philippines, he made sure good law-abiding citizens can sleep comfortably in their homes, protected against the danger of drug addicts and bad elements of the society. Armed with his strong political will, from the day one of his presidency, he made sure he fulfilled his campaign promises, specially the war on drugs.
With his war on drugs, he coordinated with the Brgy Captains across the country to identify drug users and drug pushers. He warned drug pushers to stop and surrender. He warned drug users to surrender for rehabilitation. Those who followed his warning were in good hands, rehabilitated for a second chance in life.
He instructed police authorities to do what is necessary for his drug campaign to succeed on its purpose. Those suspects who did not cooperate, resisted and put the police authorities in danger unfortunately were dealt with by force and some unfortunately perished.
As in a war, death to those involved are inevitable. Unfortunately, without Duterte’s control, there were abuses made by police who took advantage on the protection promise of Duterte. Some incidents were also orchestrated by Digong’s Critics and Drug Syndicates.
In short, there was no Extra Judicial Killings that occured during Tatay Digong’s term, on his watch. If there were Extra Judicial Killings, it was not Tatay Digong’s control and instruction. Tatay Digong saved humanity. He protected the lives of Filipinos against the evil of drugs.
Robinhood Ferdinand Cariño Padilla , aka Robin Padilla, is a Filipino actor, film director and politician. He was born on 23 November 1969 in Daet, Camarines Norte to Casimero “Roy” Padilla Sr. and Lolita Eva Cariño. Many people in Cordillera lead to believe that Padilla is a half-Ibaloi from his mother’s side; however, no evidence supports it, although Ibaloi representatives of the prominent Cariño clan of Benguet accepted Padilla as an “honorary cousin” out of goodwill and hospitality. He is known as the “Bad Boy” of Philippine cinema for portraying anti-hero gangster roles in films such as Anak ni Baby Ama (1990), Grease Gun Gang(1992), Bad Boy (1990), and Bad Boy 2 (1992). He has also been dubbed the “Prince of Action” in Philippine cinema.
Padilla was elected Senator of the Philippines after winning Senate election in 2022. In the said election, he placed first in the senatorial race, with 27 million votes, the most votes for a Senator in Philippine electoral history.
Civic Works & Other Advocacies
Padilla is an anti-malaria advocate since 2004. He became the spokesperson for the Department of Health’s “Movement Against Malaria” campaign, appearing in infomercials to promote the use of mosquito nets.
In 2007, Padilla established the Liwanag ng Kapayapaan Foundation, a pre-school for underprivileged Muslim children in Quezon City. Padilla temporarily closed the school after it failed to acquire the necessary government permits to continue operations. In September 2010, the school re-opened.
Padilla has also promoted Muay Thai in the Philippines, and donated ₱2,500,000 to the Muay Association of the Philippines where he also served as chairman.
Politics and National Service
Padilla is a supporter of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug war, hailing the campaign as “most successful” and claiming that extrajudicial killings are a legitimate part of the government’s anti-crime strategy.
Padilla joined the military and he became a reserve officer in the Armed Forces of the Philippines with the rank of captain. He held the rank of reserve Lieutenant Colonel as of March 2024. On July 30, 2020, he was elected by the Army’s Multi-Sectoral Advisory Board as its new Strategic Communication Committee chairperson. In December 2021, Padilla and other reservists running in the 2022 elections were relieved of their posts “to ensure the organization’s non-partisanship” though the Army clarified this does not relieve them of being in the reserve force of the army.
Padilla entered politics in 1995, when he ran for Vice Governor of Nueva Ecija as an Independentcandidate. He was later endorsed by the Lakas–NUCD–UMDP and became the running-mate of its nominee for governor, Virgina Perez–Custodio. However, they both lost their bids. Padilla garnered 209,501 votes over 285,812 votes of the incumbent Vice Governor Oscar Tinio, who was running under NPC–BALANE.
On October 8, 2021, Padilla filed his certificate of candidacy for senator under PDP–Laban for the 2022 election. His platforms include pushing for anti-criminality measures, a crackdown on illegal drugs, the establishment of federalism and legislating community policing. Padilla stated that he is also against giving tax incentives for foreign investors and seeks to increase the minimum income of Filipino families to encourage Overseas Filipino Workers to go back home. He also said he would be hiring lawyers to help him draft laws if he win.
Padilla won a seat in the Senate, topping the vote count. He believes it was his platform on federalism and not solely his popularity as an actor that led to his win. Senator Win Gatchalian, who is a reelectionist and in the UniTeam Alliance coalition like Padilla, has vouched for Padilla as a representative for Muslims in the Senate. Following his win, Padilla announced that he would hire lawyer Salvador Panelo to help him fulfill his role as senator.
In the 19th Congress, he voted to elect Migz Zubiri as Senate President, thus becoming part of the majority bloc. He, however, abstained in the election of Joel Villanueva as Senate Majority Leader. Padilla is the current Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes and the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs.
Legislative output
Padilla filed in the first week of July his first 10 bills, including the Equal Use of Languages Act; Suspension of Excise Tax on certain fuel products; Medical Cannabis Compassionate Access Act; Amending the Rice Tariffication Law; Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers; Equality and Non-discrimination Act; Civil Service Eligibility for casual, contractual govt employees who rendered at least 5 years of service; Regionalization of Bilibid Prisons; Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Act; and Divorce Act of the Philippines.
He has also expressed interest in filing measures that will benefit the environment, after disclosing in a July 6, 2022 Facebook Live post that he is meeting with Sen. Loren Legarda on the matter.
In the second week of July, Padilla filed a second batch of priority bills and resolutions that touched on federalism, the creation of the Congress-Parliamentary Bangsamoro Forum, a resolution on the appointment of the Marawi Compensation Board, a resolution on joint exploration of the West Philippine Sea, the Local Development Fund Act, a Nursing Home for Senior Citizens Act, Civil Unions Act, the Eddie Garcia Act, inclusion of Philippine History in high school curriculum, and Unsung Heroes Day.
Padilla, who chairs the Senate committee on Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs, pushed for an investigation into why Aetas in Central Luzon have not been able to get some ₱19 million due them from an agreement signed in 2007.
Legalizing medical cannabis
Padilla has filed a bill to legalize medical cannabis in the Philippines and has proposed Israel’s policy as its model. Padilla however clarified that he still considers cannabis or marijuana as a dangerous drug. The Medical Cannabis Party however argued that the penalties proposed in the bill makes cannabis more inaccessible and exacerbate the stigma against cannabis use.
Charter change
Padilla started holding hearings on amendments to the 1987 Constitution, in his capacity as chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes. He has indicated he will hold hearings in the provinces, to make sure all Filipinos understand the issue and have a say on the matter. He is focusing on changing the Charter’s economic provisions.
Fake news
Padilla sought an inter-agency effort in fighting fake news, and sought a probe into the matter. This was contained in his Senate Resolution 191, which he filed in September. He is poised to lead the probe as chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media.
He also called on other institutions like the news industry and educational institutions to do their part against fake news.
Mandatory ROTC
The re-imposition of mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) training has been one of Padilla’s advocacy when he ran for Senator. Due to the ROTC bill still pending on Congress, Padilla in March 2024 launched his own Basic Citizen Military Training which will have volunteers which will serve the needs of the Senate.
Muslim rights
Padilla filed Senate Bill 1273 seeking more cemeteries for Muslims and indigenous people (IPs) to ensure that proper burial in accordance with their customs and tradition will be observed.
Rights of entertainment industry workers
Padilla filed Senate Bill 450, the proposed “Eddie Garcia Law,” which outlined safety measures and other benefits for workers in the Philippine entertainment industry to protect the welfare of actors and workers in the industry.
Same-sex civil union
Padilla filed Senate Bill 449 seeking to give same-sex couples the same rights enjoyed by married straight couples under the law, saying it is ‘high time” for the Philippines to do so. The bill includes provisions upholding the rights of such couples to a civil union. “Providing equal rights and privileges for same-sex couples will in no way diminish or trample on the rights granted to married couples,” Padilla said.
The bill has the support of celebrity couple Ice Seguerra and Liza Dino. The Marawi Grand Imam, however withdrew his support for Padilla over the bill which he views as immoral and incompatible with Islam.
Benefits for Barangay Health Workers
Padilla filed Senate Bill 232, seeking to provide additional compensation and benefits to barangay health workers. The bill, dubbed An Act Providing for the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers, include 20% discount on items under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, transportation allowance of at least ₱1,000 per month, and a one-time retirement cash incentive of ₱100,000 for accredited BHWs who have served for at least 15 years.
Funding for local government units’ projects
Padilla filed Senate Bill 447 assuring funding for priority development projects of local government units. Padilla said this measure aims to provide an equitable distribution of wealth to LGUs to foster development with the end goal of bridging the gap between the revenue expenditure mandates of the LGC and the General Appropriations Act.
The bill is similar to the Budget Reform Advocacy for Village Empowerment (BRAVE) bill of former Senator Panfilo Lacson. Padilla said he shares Lacson’s drive to promote the principle of devolution, as well as for budget reform.
Anti-sexual harassment
Padilla spoke out against sexual harassment victimizing Filipinos, including overseas Filipino workers and students.
The actor-turned-legislator pushed for heavier penalties against ambassadors and diplomatic officials involved in sexual harassment cases against Filipinos abroad, after Department of Migrant Workers secretary Susan Ople cited one such case in Brunei in 2012.
Meanwhile, Padilla called on parents and students to courageously report sexual harassment in schools, saying this will haunt the students for life.
South China Sea dispute
On May 15, 2021, Padilla went to the disputed Thitu Island (Pagasa Island) to visit the Filipino settlement and military outpost. In a statement, he praised the soldiers who keep enforcing the country’s sovereignty claims in the South China Sea during a courtesy call from members of the Joint Task Unit in Pag-asa Island.
On September 5, 2022, Padilla delivered a privilege speech stressing anew the need for joint exploration between the Philippines and China in the contested South China Sea. He said going back to the negotiating table is a must for the country’s interest.
In 2023, Padilla would raise skepticism if the United States would fulfill its obligations with its treaty ally Philippines in case that conflict escalates in the South China Sea. He has insisted that the Philippine military can manage on its own.
2024 Kingdom of Jesus Christ Senate hearings
Padilla believes that the Senate hearing on the alleged abuses by the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and its leader and founder Apollo Quiboloy is unnecessary. He disputes the hearings are conducted in aid of legislation and insists that the allegations raised in the Senate could only be dealt in the country’s legal system. He attended at least one meeting where he vouched for Quiboloy’s character and urged the victims who testified anonymously to not conceal their identities.
Padilla believes that the church leader is both a “hero” who fought against the Communist armed conflict led by the New People’s Army (NPA) while also tagging him as a victim of the rebel group.
Padilla however explicitly denied “defending” Quiboloy insisting that he is only upholding “democracy” and is moving to ensure that due process is upheld in dealing with allegations hurled against the pastor and his church.
He along with his colleagues Imee Marcos, Cynthia Villar and Bong Go made a failed bid to block the contempt order imposed on Quiboloy by the Senate panel led by Risa Hontiveros.
Personal life
Robinhood Cariño Padilla was born on November 23, 1969, in Daet, Camarines Norte to Casimero “Roy” Padilla Sr. and Lolita Eva Cariño. He has eight siblings—three brothers and five sisters. Padilla is popular believed to be half-Ibaloi from his mother’s side; however, no evidence supports it, although Ibaloi representatives of the prominent Cariño clan of Benguet accepted Padilla as an “honorary cousin” out of goodwill and hospitality.
His father, Roy, was a film director and politician who served as governor of Camarines Norte in the 1970s and assemblyman in the 1980s. His mother was an actress.
His siblings BB, Rommel, and Royette, are also actors. His half-brother Casimero succeeded in their father’s political endeavors, serving as a union leader, a congressman, and a three-term governor of Camarines Norte.
He is also the uncle of actors Bela Padilla, Daniel Padilla, and Mark Anthony Fernandez. Robin is also the great uncle of Grae Fernandez, via his father.
In 1994, Padilla was convicted for illegal possession of firearms and sentenced to a maximum of eight years in jail. In 1998, he was pardoned by President Fidel Ramos.
Formerly a Jehovah’s Witness, Padilla converted to Islam, adopted the name Abdul Aziz, and married his first wife Liezl Sicangco in a Muslim ceremony while he was still serving his prison sentence. He has four children with Sicangco, including actresses Queenie (who left showbiz) and Kylie Padilla.
In November 2009, Padilla announced that he and Sicangco had divorced in 2007. On August 19, 2010, Padilla and Mariel Rodriguez were married at the Taj Mahal in India. Padilla and Rodriguez had met during his stint as a host of Wowowee. Rodriguez gave birth to their first daughter in November 2016 in Delaware, and a second daughter in November 2019. Despite their marriage, Rodriguez remained a Roman Catholic. In 2017, Padilla became a grandfather when his daughters Queenie and Kylie gave birth.
In 2014, Padilla campaigned for presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte and in May 2016 filed a libel case against a Twitter user for calling him an “ex-convict”. In November 2016, Padilla was granted an absolute pardon from President Rodrigo Duterte to endow him full civil and political rights.
Education
Padilla took his elementary education at Siena College of Quezon City and attended high school at Saint Louis University Boys’ High School. He discontinued his studies when he was 17 to pursue his acting career.
He finished his bachelor’s degree in Criminology at Philippine College of Criminology.
Source: All information are from Wikipedia, Credits to authors. No copyright infringement intended.
Philippines sees the upcoming fight between the political giants of the country.
The resignation of Vice President Sara Duterte as Secretary of Department of Education and as cabinet of Bong Bong Marcos Administration resonates a possible war of the political giants of the country. Her resignation was expected after the blatant disregard of Bong Bong Marcos’ courtesy to former President Rodrigo Duterte.
For whatever reasons, the Team Unity of Bong Bong Marcos and Sarah Duterte has now come to its end. Looking at the possibilities, the fight for power will now be an expected eventuality. If Raffy Tulfo, another giant in Philippine Politics, will also throw his hat in the rivalry, it will become a fight of the South, Central and the North. This will also translate as the fight of the The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly. It is now the choice of Filipinos to choose who will control over the fate of the country.
THE CORDILLERA CONNECTION 