Dragging purposely from performing its constitutional mandate to conduct the impeachment trial of the former education secretary and now impeached vice president, the senate president and exposed the senator-judges into their personal biases. Without reservation, senators who are loyal to the former and now detained president had shamelessly acted as defense lawyers of the impeached vice president notwithstanding that they are not lawyers. Such acts are clearly unlawful exercise of the legal profession. In other professions which require formal education and the passing of licensure examinations, any person performing acts without the required license is engaging in malpractice of profession.
In the deliberations on the senate floor, senator Ronald “Bato” Marapon dela Rosa and senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Teroso Go had openly shown their blind loyalty to the former education secretary and now impeached vice president Sara Z. Duterte. Obtaining the floor to raise a motion, he moved for the dismissal of the impeachment complaint even before the senate could hear the merits of the articles of impeachment. He explained that the articles of impeachment violated the one-year bar rule which prohibits the filing of more than one articles of impeachment within one year. That motion was duly seconded forthright by senator Christopher Lawrence Teroso Go.
The seemingly lengthy discussion by the movant was interrupted by a privilege motion from opposition senator Ana Theresia “Risa” Navarro Hontiveros-Baraquel who raised the issue of convening the impeachment court first before entertaining any matter, chiefly the motion to dismiss. Discussions ensued as the movant insisted on his motion which had been duly seconded. But the opposing view remain that the said motion could not be resolved unless the impeachment court is convened and the senator-judges take their oath.
The deliberation went without any clear direction as the presiding officer in senate president Francis Joseph “Chiz´ Guevara Escudero recognized Maria Josefa Remedios “Imee” Marcos-Manotoc who raised a privilege motion while senator Risa Hontiveros as the floor. It interrupted the discussion of senator Risa Hontiveros as the privileged motion takes precedence over any floor deliberation.
On the other hand, senator Robinhood Ferdinand “Robin” Cariño Padilla obtained the floor to express his personal sentiment that the articles of impeachment must be dismissed for it is causing division among our people. He lamented that the impeachment is causing embarrassment as there are many important issues that the country needs than the impeachment of the former education secretary and now impeached vice president. Such proposition raises the question as to what is embarrassing, the irregularities allegedly committed by the former education secretary and now impeached vice president or the action to hold accountability by way of impeachment, In the end, the actuations of senator-judges loyal to the Duterte family is clear signs of prejudice.
comments to alellema@yahoo.com
Eastern Visayas Super Dry
Are you feeling the heat? Well, everybody is feeling the humid dry reality of Eastern Visayas! In fact, if Eastern Visayas is a brand of a beer we are the Eastern Visayas Super Dry!
As of early July 2025, Tacloban and much of Eastern Visayas have been experiencing a stretch of warm and humid weather with little to no rainfall. While exact data on the number of consecutive dry days isn’t publicly specified, forecasts and reports suggest that this dry spell has lasted several days to possibly over a week, with only isolated rain showers or localized thunderstorms occurring sporadically.
Primary reason for the dry conditions is a monsoon break—a temporary pause in the southwest monsoon (habagat), which typically brings rain to the region during this season. We have to take a closer look on what we are feeling, with the persistent heat. Here are some reasons;
Monsoon Break: The southwest monsoon is currently affecting only extreme northern Luzon, leaving Eastern Visayas with reduced moisture and rainfall.
Localized Thunderstorms: While these can still occur, they’re scattered and not enough to break the dry spell.
Low-Pressure Area (LPA): A weather disturbance was spotted east of Eastern Visayas, but it remains outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility and has a low chance of developing into a cyclone.
Seasonal Climate Patterns: Tacloban typically sees fewer rainy days in April and May, but August is usually wetter—so this dry spell is somewhat unusual for this time of year.
What can we do? To mitigate the heat and lack of rains?
1. Conserve Water
Limit usage: Use water wisely—shorten showers, fix leaks, and avoid unnecessary washing.
Reuse when possible: Collect water from laundry or dishwashing for cleaning floors or watering plants.
Store clean water: Keep emergency reserves in case of supply interruptions.
2. Protect Plants and Crops
Water early or late: Water gardens or crops during cooler hours to reduce evaporation.
Mulch soil: Use dried leaves or straw to retain moisture in the soil.
Shade sensitive plants: Use netting or temporary covers to reduce heat stress.
3. Stay Cool and Healthy
Hydrate often: Drink water regularly, even if you’re not thirsty.
Wear light clothing: Choose breathable fabrics like cotton.
Avoid peak heat: Stay indoors or in shaded areas between 10 AM and 3 PM.
4. Prevent Fire Hazards
Avoid open burning: Dry vegetation increases fire risk.
Clear surroundings: Remove dry leaves and debris near homes and farms.
Report smoke: Alert local authorities if you see signs of fire.
Lets pray for rain but lets also do things that will allow us to survive, the long super-dry spell!