Sunday, May 3, 2026


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DPWH director nagsauli ng P40M sa DOJ

Venus L Peñaflor
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DPWH director nagsauli ng P40M sa DOJ

MAYNILA – Nagsauli ng P40 milyon sa Department of Justice nitong Martes ang DPWH Regional Director na si Gerard Opulencia, halagan g sinasabing bahagi ng kickbacks na natanggap niya kaugnay ng mga maanomalyang flood control projects.

Ayon kay DOJ Acting Secretary Fredderick A. Vida, ang pagbabalik ng pera ay bahagi ng mga kondisyong itinakda para sa provisional admission ni Opulencia bilang state witness sa imbestigasyon ng DOJ.

Iniharap ni Vida sa media noong Disyembre 16 ang P40 milyon na personal na dinala ni Opulencia, na dating DPWH National Capital Region director at kasalukuyang nasa floating status.

“Ito ay commitment na magsauli ng P150 milyon,” pahayag ni Vida, at ang P40 milyon ay paunang bayad mula sa kasunduang nilagdaan ni Opulencia at ng DOJ.

Sinabi rin ni Vida na provisionally admitted na si Opulencia sa Witness Protection Program.

Ayon naman kay Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon, isa si Opulencia sa mga respondent sa mga kasong malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents, na dumaan na sa preliminary investigation ng DOJ, kaugnay ng mga ghost projects na kinontrata ng Syms Construction sa mga bayan ng Balagtas at Pandi sa Bulacan.

Idinagdag ni Fadullon na kabilang sa limang kinasuhan sina dating senador Bong Revilla at dating congressman Zaldy Co bilang mga respondent.

Paliwanag ni Vida, mahalaga ang magiging testimonya ni Opulencia upang mailahad ang aktwal na naganap sa mga proyekto sa Bulacan.

Nilinaw ng DOJ na hindi tumanggap ng pera si Opulencia mula sa mga proyekto sa Bulacan, at ang isinauling P40 milyon ay halagang natanggap niya noong siya ay director pa ng NCR.

Mga balikbayan box na hindi natubos, idedeliber bago sumapit ang Pasko

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Mga balikbayan box na hindi natubos, idedeliber bago sumapit ang Pasko

MAYNILA – Mahigit 100 balikbayan box ng mga overseas Filipino worker na matagal nang nakatengga ang idedeliber sa kanilang mga pamilya bago ang Araw ng Pasko, at hindi na sisingilin ng anumang bayarin ng pamahalaan.

Ito ang inihayag ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sa kanyang talumpati sa NAIA Terminal 3 nitong Martes, kung saan sinabi niyang sinimulan na ng Bureau of Customs ang paglabas at pamamahagi ng mga laman ng mga inabandonang container van, kabilang ang humigit-kumulang 130 balikbayan box, sa mga tunay na may-ari.

Ayon sa Pangulo, ang mga balikbayan box ay ipinadala ng mga OFW para sa kanilang mga pamilya, ngunit nabigong matubos ng mga consignee dahil sa hindi nabayarang fees at buwis.

Dahil dito, halos isang taon na naiwang nakaimbak sa Bureau of Customs ang mga padala.

“We have now started the process of releasing and returning them, because these do not belong to the government. They belong to our OFWs,” pahayag ni Marcos.

Paalala ng pamahalaan, ang mga kwalipikadong Pilipino, kabilang ang mga OFW, ay maaaring magpadala ng balikbayan box mula sa ibang bansa nang walang binabayarang duties at buwis, alinsunod sa umiiral na patakaran ng Bureau of Customs.

Bondi gunmen were inspired by Islamic State, had travelled to the Philippines, Australia police say

Venus L Peñaflor
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Bondi gunmen were inspired by Islamic State, had travelled to the Philippines, Australia police say

SYDNEY, Australia — Australian police said the two alleged gunmen behind the deadly attack on a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach had travelled to the Philippines weeks before the assault and appeared to have been inspired by Islamic State ideology.

The shooting on Sunday killed 15 people and injured dozens, marking Australia’s worst mass shooting in nearly three decades. Authorities are treating the incident as a terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community.

Investigators are focusing on two key lines of inquiry. One involves the overseas travel of the suspects, identified as Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed, 25, who reportedly visited the Philippines shortly before the attack. The other concerns two homemade Islamic State flags allegedly found in a car registered to one of the suspects and parked near the scene of the assault.

Philippine authorities said the pair arrived in the country on November 1 and travelled to Davao City on the southern island of Mindanao, a region long affected by Islamist extremism. They returned to Sydney via Manila on November 28, about two weeks before the attack.

Police said it remains unclear what the two men did during their stay in the Philippines. Security analysts have long warned that time spent overseas, particularly in areas with active extremist networks, can play a critical role in radicalisation, even when no formal military training is involved.

While some extremist groups still operate in parts of Mindanao, Islamic State’s presence there has significantly declined in recent years. However, small groups of militants and sympathisers remain active, according to regional security officials.

Authorities said there is no evidence at this stage that the suspects received formal combat training. Investigators noted that the attack itself was not complex, involving gunfire directed at unarmed civilians during a religious gathering. Sajid Akram legally owned firearms and held a gun licence, which may have been sufficient for carrying out the assault.

Counterterrorism experts say overseas travel can also serve as a means of ideological reinforcement, fostering commitment and purpose rather than technical skills. Such radicalisation can occur through isolation, close association with like-minded individuals, or exposure to extremist teachings and propaganda.

In recent years, Islamic State and similar groups have increasingly relied on inspiring individuals to carry out attacks independently, a strategy often described as leaderless jihad. This approach has been linked to several deadly attacks worldwide, including incidents in Europe and the United States.

Police cautioned that many details surrounding the Bondi Beach attack remain under investigation. However, officials said the case underscores that Islamic State’s ideology continues to pose a global security threat, more than a decade after the group’s emergence.

4.6M pasahero sa mga ports, mataas na flight volume sa NAIA asahan ngayong holiday season

Venus L Peñaflor
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4.6M pasahero sa mga ports, mataas na flight volume sa NAIA asahan ngayong holiday season

MAYNILA — Inaasahan ng Philippine Ports Authority na aabot sa 4.6 milyon ang pasahero sa mga pantalan sa buong bansa mula ngayong araw hanggang Enero 5, 2026, dahil sa holiday travel rush ngayong Kapaskuhan at Bagong Taon, ayon sa PPA General Manager na si Jay Santiago sa ginanap na Kapihan sa Pantalan. Inatasan na niya ang mga pantalan na tiyaking maayos ang serbisyo at komportable ang kalagayan ng mga biyahero, at mas mahigpit ang seguridad sa ilalim ng heightened alert status para tugunan ang inaasahang pagdagsa ng mga pasahero.

Kasabay nito, mataas din ang inaasahang traffic sa Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) dahil sa holiday travel surge para sa domestic at international flights. Ayon sa datos ng Manila International Airport Authority, patuloy ang pagtaas ng passenger volume sa NAIA at tinatayang lalampas sa rekord nitong mga nakaraang taon, na may daan-daang libong biyahero ngayong Disyembre, dahil maraming turista at OFWs ang uuwi o babalik sa ibang bansa para sa Pasko at New Year. Dati nang nagtala ng mahigit na 50 milyong pasahero sa buong taon ng 2024 na mas mataas kaysa sa pre-pandemic levels, at patuloy ang paglago ngayong 2025.

Upang makatugon sa dami ng pasahero sa NAIA, ang mga pangunahing airline at airport authorities ay naglabas ng peak travel advisories, gaya ng paalala ng Cebu Pacific na dumating ng maaga sa airport, at minimum na tatlong oras bago ang departure para sa domestic flights at apat na oras para sa international flights dahil sa mas mabigat na trapiko at mas mahabang pila sa check-in at immigration counters.

Pinaalalahanan din ng mga airline ang mga pasahero na i-check ang terminal assignments, mag-online check-in kung maaari, at maghanda para sa mas mataas na passenger loads sa NAIA terminals ngayong peak season para maiwasan ang pagkaantala sa flight procedures.

Sa pantalan, inuuna rin ng PPA ang pag-aayos ng ilang pasilidad na naapektuhan ng nagdaang bagyo at ang mas pinaigting na seguridad sa mga major ports tulad ng Manila, Batangas, Iloilo, Mindoro at Davao upang masiguro ang ligtas at maayos na biyahe ng mga pasahero ngayong holiday season.

Son of filmmaker Rob Reiner charged with homicide in parents’ deaths

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Son of filmmaker Rob Reiner charged with homicide in parents’ deaths

LOS ANGELES — Nick Reiner, 32, son of Hollywood actor and filmmaker Rob Reiner, has been arrested and charged with the murder of his parents after they were found dead in their Brentwood home over the weekend, the Los Angeles Police Department said Monday.

Rob Reiner, 78, known for directing films such as When Harry Met Sally…, and his wife Michele, 70, were discovered dead on Sunday afternoon. The LAPD confirmed that the couple were victims of homicide and identified Nick Reiner as responsible. He was taken into custody Sunday night and is being held without bail. Jail documents had previously set bail at $4 million.

Nick Reiner has a long history of substance abuse and periods of homelessness, which he spoke about publicly. He told People magazine in 2016 that he first entered rehab for drug use at age 15 and had at least 17 stays in treatment facilities. His experiences inspired the movie Being Charlie, which he co-wrote with his father. Rob Reiner called it “the most personal thing” he had ever been involved in.

Local reports noted that Nick had been seen arguing with his parents on Saturday night at a holiday party hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien. Earlier this year, he attended the Los Angeles premiere of Rob Reiner’s film Spinal Tap II: The End Continues with his family, but photos showed him alone, not smiling.

Rob Reiner was also a celebrated actor, best known for playing Mike “Meathead” Stivic on the 1970s television comedy All in the Family, a role that earned him two Emmy Awards. He later became a prolific director, helming classics including This Is Spinal Tap, Stand by Me, The Princess Bride, Misery, When Harry Met Sally…, and A Few Good Men. His work earned critical acclaim for its creativity and cultural impact.

Michele Reiner was a photographer, credited with capturing the image of Donald Trump that appeared on the cover of Trump: The Art of the Deal.

Rob Reiner, son of the late comedian Carl Reiner, was active in politics, supporting liberal causes and producing campaign ads for Democratic candidates. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass paid tribute to him, saying he “improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice.”

Rob Reiner was previously married to Penny Marshall, star of Laverne & Shirley, and had three children with Michele Reiner, in addition to being stepfather to Marshall’s daughter.

The investigation by the LAPD is ongoing, and Nick Reiner remains in custody pending legal proceedings.

Simbang Gabi nagsimula na sa buong bansa

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Simbang Gabi nagsimula na sa buong bansa

SAN PABLO CITY / MAYNILA — Sa pagpasok ng kalagitnaan ng Disyembre, muling nabubuhay ang isa sa pinakamatibay na tradisyon ng mga Pilipino, ang Simbang Gabi. Opisyal itong isinasagawa tuwing Disyembre 16 hanggang 24 bilang paghahanda sa pagsilang ni Hesukristo, ngunit sa maraming simbahan, lalo na sa mga lungsod, nagsisimula na ang mga anticipated evening Masses kagabi, Disyembre 15.

Sa San Pablo City, nagsimula ang Simbang Gabi kagabi sa San Pablo Cathedral, alas-6:00 ng gabi. Para sa maraming deboto, ito ay pagkakataon upang makapagsimba matapos ang maghapong trabaho, isang modernong pagsunod sa tradisyong may malalim na ugat sa kasaysayan.

Sa Maynila, kapansin-pansin ang maagang pagsisimula ng Simbang Gabi sa mga kilalang simbahan. Sa Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene o Quiapo Church, nagsimula ang anticipated evening Masses noong Disyembre 15, habang ang tradisyunal na madaling-araw na misa ay isinasagawa mula Disyembre 16 hanggang 24. Libo-libong deboto ang dumadagsa sa unang gabi, dala ang panata at pananampalataya. Tinawag itong Misa de Gallo o Rooster’s Mass ng mga Kastila, dahil karaniwan itong ginaganap bago sumikat ang araw.

Ganito rin ang kalakaran sa Manila Cathedral, sentrong simbahan ng Arkidiyosesis ng Maynila. Nagsimula ang evening Masses noong Disyembre 15, at ang dawn Masses ay pormal na nag-uumpisa sa Disyembre 16. Sa loob ng makasaysayang katedral, humahalo ang liwanag ng kandila, awit ng koro, at katahimikan ng pananampalataya sa gitna ng abalang lungsod.

Ang Malate Church (Our Lady of Remedies Parish) ay sumusunod din sa parehong patakaran na anticipated Simbang Gabi sa gabi ng Disyembre 15, at tradisyunal na Simbang Gabi sa madaling-araw mula Disyembre 16. Dito, makikita ang tahimik ngunit taimtim na debosyon ng mga pamilyang nagbabalik taon-taon.

Ang Simbang Gabi ay nagsimula pa noong ika-17 siglo sa panahon ng kolonyalismong Espanyol, bilang tugon sa mga magsasakang kailangang magtrabaho sa bukid bago sumikat ang araw. Ang Misa de Gallo ay naging bahagi ng kulturang Pilipino at, sa paglipas ng panahon, naging espirituwal na haligi ng kultura, isang tradisyong pinagyayaman hindi lamang ng pananampalataya kundi ng alaala.

Hindi mawawala ang mga tanawing bumabalik taon-taon gaya ng malamig na simoy ng hangin sa madaling-araw, ang naglalakad na mga pamilya, ang mga parol na nakasabit sa kalsada, at ang amoy ng bibingka at puto bumbong matapos ang misa. Para sa marami, ang Simbang Gabi ay hindi lamang pagsisimba. Ito ay pagbabalik sa pagkabata, sa mga panahong simple ang Pasko at buo ang pananampalataya.

Mula San Pablo hanggang Maynila, mula Quiapo hanggang sa Manila Cathedral, ang Simbang Gabi o Misa de Gallo ay nananatiling payapa ngunit matatag na paalala: sa gitna ng dilim ng gabi, may liwanag at pag-asang dumarating.

Australia to tighten gun laws after Bondi Beach shooting kills 16

Venus L Peñaflor
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Australia to tighten gun laws after Bondi Beach shooting kills 16

SYDNEY – Australia will move to strengthen its gun laws after police accused a father and son of carrying out the country’s deadliest mass shooting in nearly three decades, killing 15 people at a Jewish celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach before one of the alleged attackers was shot dead.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday that his cabinet had agreed to tougher firearms rules, including work toward a national gun register. Proposed measures include limits on the number of weapons a licence holder can own, tighter controls on licence duration, and restrictions on legal weapon types and modifications.

“People’s circumstances can change,” Albanese said. “People can be radicalised over a period of time. Licences should not be in perpetuity.”

Police said the 50 year old father was killed at the scene, bringing the death toll to 16. His 24 year old son was in critical condition in hospital. About 40 people were taken to hospital, including two police officers who were in serious but stable condition. Victims ranged in age from 10 to 87.

Authorities did not release the suspects’ names. Security officials said one of them was known to authorities but had not been assessed as an immediate threat. New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said investigators were still working through the backgrounds of both men.

Australian media identified the suspects as Sajid Akram and his son Naveed Akram. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the father arrived in Australia in 1998 on a student visa, while the son was Australian born.

The attack has prompted renewed scrutiny of Australia’s firearms regime, among the toughest in the world. Police said the older suspect had held a firearms licence since 2015 and had six registered weapons.

Police did not provide details of the firearms used, but video footage from the scene showed weapons resembling a bolt action rifle and a shotgun. ABC News reported that two Islamic State flags were found in the suspects’ vehicle, without citing a source.

Witnesses said the roughly 10 minute attack unfolded at a crowded beach during a Hanukkah event attended by about 1,000 people, triggering panic as families fled across the sand and into nearby streets.

A bystander, Ahmed al Ahmed, was filmed tackling and disarming an armed man during the attack. He was shot twice and later underwent surgery. A fundraising campaign for him raised more than A$1 million.

Bondi residents described scenes of confusion and fear. Morgan Gabriel, 27, said she initially thought she heard fireworks before people began running. “Their phones had been left down the beach, and everyone was just trying to get away,” she said.

By Monday morning, Bondi Beach was unusually quiet. Mourners laid flowers at a makeshift memorial at the Bondi pavilion, draped with Australian and Israeli flags, as police and private security patrolled the area.

“What we saw yesterday was an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism,” Albanese said after visiting the site. “The Jewish community are hurting today. All Australians stand with you, and we will do whatever is necessary to stamp out antisemitism.”

World leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, offered condolences and support, Albanese said.

The shooting was the most serious in a recent series of antisemitic attacks in Australia since the outbreak of the Israel Gaza war in October 2023. In August, Australia accused Iran of directing at least two antisemitic attacks and expelled its ambassador.

Mass shootings are rare in Australia. Sunday’s attack was the deadliest since 1996, when 35 people were killed at Port Arthur in Tasmania.

Rabbi Mendel Kastel, whose brother in law Eli Schlanger was among those killed, urged unity. “You can very easily become very angry and try to blame people, but that’s not what this is about,” he said. “We will get through this, and the Australian community will help us do it.”

Australia’s Jewish population numbers about 150,000, roughly a third of whom live in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, including Bondi.

Asahan ang maulang sa Christmas week dahil sa LPA, ayon sa PAGASA

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Asahan ang maulang sa Christmas week dahil sa LPA, ayon sa PAGASA

MAYNILA — Posibleng maging maulan mula Disyembre 19 hanggang Disyembre 25, 2025 dahil sa isang Low Pressure Area o LPA na maaaring mabuo sa silangan ng Mindanao, ito ang iniulat ng PAGASA sa kanilang two-week threat forecast.

Inaasahang direktang maaapektuhan ng panandaliang pag-ulan ang rehiyon ng Caraga, Eastern Visayas, at Bicol, dahil sa paggalaw ng LPA na inaasahang mabagal ang galaw.

Sa ibang bahagi ng bansa, ang pag-ulan ay malamang na idudulot ng amihan at easterlies, na magpapatuloy sa pagdadala ng mga pag-ulan sa ilang bahagi ng Luzon, Visayas, at Mindanao ngayong holisday season.

Pinayuhan ng PAGASA ang publiko at mga lokal na awtoridad na mag-monitor sa mga pinakabagong babala at forecast dahil sa posibilidad ng malalakas na pag-ulan sa mas mababang lugar na madaling bahain at sa mga lugar na prone sa landslide.

May paalala rin para sa mga biyahero sa dagat, dahil ang pagbuo ng LPA at ang umiiral na amihan ay maaaring magpataas ng alon at magpalala ng kondisyon sa karagatan, kaya dapat mag-eksperto ang mga naglalayag at sundin ang sea travel advisories.

Para sa pinakahuling updates at advisories, pinapayuhan ang publiko na sundan ang opisyal na PAGASA website at social media channels, at makipag-ugnayan sa lokal na pamahalaan para sa mga alerto ng baha at pagkilos sa mga emergency.

LAPD probes two deaths at home linked to actor-director Rob Reiner

EDGARDO HERNAL
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LAPD probes two deaths at home linked to actor-director Rob Reiner

LOS ANGELES -Los Angeles police are investigating the deaths of two people found at a west Los Angeles residence linked to actor and director Rob Reiner, in what authorities described as an apparent homicide.

The Los Angeles Police Department said officers responded to the home and discovered two deceased individuals. The department did not identify the victims or release details about the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

A Los Angeles Fire Department official earlier told Reuters that a 78 year old man and a 68 year old woman were found dead at the residence. Public records associate the address with Reiner.

Some media outlets identified the deceased as Reiner and his wife. Police have not confirmed the identities.

Reiner, 78, is best known for his role on the 1970s CBS sitcom “All in the Family” and for directing acclaimed films such as “The Princess Bride,” “This Is Spinal Tap,” “When Harry Met Sally,” “Stand by Me,” and “The American President.”

His wife, Michele, 68, is a former photographer whose work includes the image used on the cover of Donald Trump’s book “Trump: The Art of the Deal.”

Beyond his Hollywood career, Reiner has been a prominent political activist. He appeared in advertisements opposing then President George W. Bush during the 2004 election and supported Democratic candidates including John Kerry, Al Gore, and Hillary Clinton.

Reiner, a New York City native and son of the late comedian and writer Carl Reiner, was previously married to actor and director Penny Marshall. He later married Michele Singer, and they have three children.

Police said the investigation remains ongoing.

Political déjà vu at cyber power sa San Pablo City

Venus L Peñaflor
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Political déjà vu at cyber power sa San Pablo City

Déjà vu ang tawag sa kakaibang pakiramdam na parang naranasan mo na ang isang sitwasyon, kahit alam mong ngayon pa lang ito nangyayari. Parang pamilyar ang lahat: ang mga eksena, salita, kilos, tensyon. Para bang inuulit ang isang lumang teleserye. Magkahalong pagtataka at inis ang pakiramdam, dahil kasabay nito ang ang tanong na bakit parang walang nagbago?

Sa pulitika, iba ang bigat ng déjà vu. Hindi ito simpleng nostalgia. Alaala ito ng mga kapalpakan na hindi natutunan, ng mga patutsadahang minsan nang nagdulot ng abala at pagkadismaya. Dito, kapag ang kasalukuyan ay kahawig ng nakaraan, ang déjà vu ay hindi na basta pakiramdam lang kundi isa ng warning.

Sa San Pablo City, hindi na bago ang problema ng political accommodation. May mga pagkakataon talaga na ang mga nanalo at umupong executive at legislative o ang mayor at ang sanggunian ay galing sa magkaibang partido. Pag ganito, minsan ay maganit ang pagtutulungan. Syempre, nagreresulta ito sa pagpigil o pagtigil ng mga programa. Napaparalisa ang serbisyo, at alam nating lahat na ang taumbayan ang direktang apektado dito.

Naranasan na ito ng San Pablo noon. Matingkad na halimbawa si dating Mayor Boy Aquino, na tumagal lamang ng isang termino matapos harangin ng Sanggunian at hindi aprubahan ang halos lahat ng budget ng kanyang mga programa. Hindi dahil kulang ang ideya o direksyon, kundi dahil galing sila sa magkalabang partido. Ang kapitolyo noon ay naging forum ng bangayan na hindi nakumpuni. Resulta, natalo na si Aquino sa ikalawa nyang laban dahil sa tingin ng taumbayan ay naging inutil sya sa loob ng 3 taon.

Kahawig ng nakaraan ang nangyayari ngayon. Parang iisa ang eksena: Hindi gaanong umuusad ang mga proyekto kagaya ng napurnadang Pamaskong Handog. At malamang ay magkaribok uli sila sa deliberation ng annual city budget. Kagaya ng nakaraan, hindi humuhupa ang tensyon sa pagitan ng dalawang tanggapan. Parang kahapon lamang, hostage na naman ang mga serbisyo dahil sa pulitikal na alitan. Ang napakalaking kaibahan lamang ay may social media na ngayon. Nakita natin kung paano dinurog sa mga virtual forum ang ilang konsehal kasama ang vice mayor hinggil sa naunsyaming Noche Buena package.

Kung dati ay tahimik ang mga tao at limitado ang tsismisan, hindi na ngayon. Matapos mailantad ang trilyong pisong anomalya sa mga flood control projects, nagising ang publiko. Ang mga Pilipino, kasama ang mga San Pableño ay naging mas vocal, open, kritikal, mapanuri, at mas matapang. Hindi na sapat ang palusot. Buking na ang paghuhugas ng kamay. Hindi na madaling ikubli sa likod ng teknikalidad o pulitikal na drama ang kawalan ng aksyon.

Bahagi na ngayon araw araw na buhay ng Pinoy ang Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, IG, X, Thread, YouTube, live videos, memes, at maraming iba pa. Asbok ang San Pablo Public Forum, di ga? Ang mga scripted na gimik sa mga bulwagan ay madali ng nabubuking. Makulit na ang masa. Hindi na sila takot i-bash ng walang awa ang mga pulitikong plastik at nagpapakitang tao lamang.

Ang tanong ngayon ng mga kritiko ay kung matututo ba ang mga nasa kapangyarihan sa aral ng nakaraan? O uulitin natin ang parehong kuwento sa ibang pangalan? Magiging kapalaran din ba ni Yorme Najie Gapangada ang naging kapalaran ni nasirang Mayor Boy Aquino?

Kung tatantuin ang umiiral na digital boom, mahirap ulitin ang kapalaran ni Aquino na nilumpo ng pulitika ang buong termino. Sa era na ito ng citizen journalism bawat hindi napagkasunduang budget, bawat sesyong nauwi sa benggahan, at bawat programang hindi umusad ay maailalantad agad sa net criticism. Gamit ang mga digital platforms, ang mga maling desisyon o kawalan ng desisyon ay naihahanap agad ng mga ebidensiya. Dumadaan ito sa malupit na digital discourse.

Nagmamatyag na ang masa. Nagtanong na, nag-uusisa, at handang makipagbabag sa sinumang humahadlang sa serbisyo. Madali na ngayong magbagsak ng isang lider na hindi tumitindig sa sinumpaang pananagutan. Dahil may digital record ang internet at malakas ang pwersa ng online collective voice ng mamamayan.

Bukod sa kapangyarihan ng social media, malaking factor din ang edukasyon. Kumpara noong 20 taon ang nakalipas, mas marami ng San Pableño ang may mataas na aral. May kakayahan na silang kilalanin ang kawalan ng aksyon o mismanagement. Confident na silang makialam sa mga desisyong pambayan. Aktibo na sila sa mga cyber deliberation. Lumawak na ang pag-unawa nila at kamalayan sa karapatan at responsibilidad bilang botante, mamamayan at tax payer.

Hindi naman hinihingi ng taumbayan ang perpektong pagkakasundo. Epektibong pagkilos ang inaasahan nila. Dahil sa dulo ng bawat hindi naaprubahang budget at bawat naudlot na programa, may pamilyang naghihintay, komunidad na nangangailangan, at lungsod na napag iiwanan.

Kung may nagbago man ngayon, ito iyon: hindi na tahimik ang taumbayan. Mahirap na silang utuin. Bukas na ang mata ng publiko at nakapagtatag na sila ng cyber power. Ang pulitikang hindi nakatuon sa kapakanan ng tao ay hindi na nailiklik sa sambayanan.

Ang political déjà vu na ganito ay hindi na maituturing na aksidente o personal na alitan ng mga pulitiko. Ito ay sinasadyang desisyon. Sa pamamayagpag natin ngayon sa age of digitalization, ang magpatakbo ng pamahalaan sa ngalan ng pulitika ay hindi na uso.

Hindi na sapat ang sisihan. Hindi na rin katanggap-tanggap ang mga lihim na pagharang sa mga programa. Hindi na pwedeng gawing sangkalan ang taumbayan sa tagisan ng kapangyarihan.

Sa isang lungsod na mulat at konektado sa social media, nakikita ng publiko ang bawat pagkilos at bawat pagkukulang. Ang mga lider na nahuhulog sa mga dating pagkakamali ay hindi na hihintayin pang husgahan ng kasaysayan. Hinuhusgahan na sila ngayon, araw-araw.

Ito ang catch, oras na para magpakita ng tunay na galing at sinseridad ang magkabilang panig sapagkat sa cyber discourse, nakikita at nabubusisi agad ang tama at mali. Walang nakakalusot na nakamaskara.

Malinaw ang aral sa San Pablo City: ang pulitikang ayaw matuto ay talo. Tinatapos agad ito sa web forum. Panahon na para matuto ang pulitika sa aral ng nakaraan.

The digital age turns voices into power.

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