The travel tax in my opinion was implemented to discourage us from going outside the country and see how well our neighboring coutries are doing as most if not all of them have surpassed our country in terms of progress and efficiency. Seeing our neighbors success will reflect how bad our government has failed our country(i include all administrations in general including the duterte administration).

Abolishing the bir and replacing it with a system where there is no human to human interaction, or at the very least if human to human interaction is required--all communication must be strictly in a "chat platform" duly preserved by the system where the bir agent is assessed via KPI and QA scores similar to how agents are assessed in the bpo industry. In fact I think it would be beneficial if the government is run like a bpo, implement kpi's and qa's accross the board in all departments that interact with citizens and taxpayers alike. Furthermore, the new system should be designed such that micro and even small taxpayers should not need an accountant to file their taxes-- the system should be that easy and intuitive for human use and when I say easy, it should be so easy to use that a legally mentally disabled human, or a human with an IQ of 70 and below can file their taxes on their own.

As to abolishing congress, the idea sounds quite appealing to be honest but I am still undecided. If I were to entertain it though, my ideal system is a system where we do not vote people or personalities into office. Instead we "vote" policies and platforms into office. We just use ai or appoint some humans under a ministerial positon to execute the policies.

These are my original and sincere thoughts on this. Does anyone have better suggestions to improve our current government system? I am curious to know your thoughts.

I recently came across a post highlighting how Davao is actively preparing for the upcoming El Niño phenomenon, while we see BBM lavishly showcasing the water filter as though it were some groundbreaking miracle.

Good for those making genuine efforts to prepare for the challenges ahead. However, what is truly concerning is the number of people who continue to support and proudly defend these politicians, whether they are BBM or Duterte. It is frustrating to witness such unwavering loyalty despite the many legitimate concerns surrounding their leadership. At some point, we need to stop treating political figures as idols and start holding them accountable for their actions. No politician should be above criticism, and blind loyalty will never serve the interests of the Filipino people.

We need to wake up, look beyond political affiliations, and recognize that our future depends on the leaders we choose and the standards we are willing to uphold.

That said, I understand that the prospect of having a truly competent and principled presidential candidate may seem increasingly bleak. If none of the potential candidates fully meets the standards we deserve, and our choices are far from ideal, then the question becomes even more important:

Given the current political landscape and the candidates we may have to choose from, who do you genuinely believe deserves our vote

Here's one of the link: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSgLkPXy6/

CRIMINOLOGY STUDENT PERO DI MARUNONG SUMUNOD SA BATAS? 🤦‍♂️

Nakaka-disappoint lang makita na may mga estudyante ng Criminology na parang nakakalimutan ang batas na pinag-aaralan nila. Imagine, future law enforcer ka pero simpleng pagsusuot ng helmet habang nagmomotor, hindi pa magawa? 😅

Hindi ba dapat kayo ang unang nagpapakita ng disiplina at pagiging responsable? Hindi sapat na may nakasulat na CRIMINOLOGY sa damit nyo para masabing deserving kayo sa profession na yan. Ang pagiging pulis o law enforcer ay hindi lang tungkol sa uniform, ranggo, o authority.
Nagsisimula yan sa simpleng pagsunod sa batas kahit walang nakatingin.

Paano nyo ie-enforce ang law kung kayo mismo hindi sumusunod? Paano kayo magiging role model ng mga tao kung sa simpleng traffic rules palang, sablay na?

Hindi naman porket student palang kayo ay exempted na kayo sa batas. RULES ARE RULES, kahit sino ka pa!

Sources:

• The Philippine Star — Pressreader
• Philippine Daily Inquirer — Pressreader
• Manila Bulletin — Pressreader
• BusinessWorld — Pressreader
• BusinessMirror — Pressreader
• Malaya Business Insight — Website
• Manila Standard — Pressreader
• Daily Tribune — Pressreader
• The Manila Times — Pressreader

For the directory of previous editions, click here.

She is working for already 40 years and contributed taxes before receiving her pension and benefits. Tapos sasabihin ng journalist

"Why is it British taxpayers problem or duty to pay for people like her, its just sad-"

She tried to defend her side in Facebook where the video currently posted.

"i paid too much taxes I am just lucky at the age of 60 I got my state pension and freedom pass. I am not receiving benefits from British tax payers. I told him I worked at QMUL"

"I worked at Queen Mary University I paid too much taxes that is why I have free medical,,... compared in the Phils. I paid hundred thousand but no benefit, I showed him my QMUL ID until now I am working... and paying taxes until now. I am lucky when I reached 60 I got my state pension and freedom pass. I am enjoying NHS benefit but I paid big amount of taxes."

Then look at how they twist her story.

Enjoy Benefits by British People > Feels Bangladeshi > Dont Work.

Unfair lang na i-kokompara yung mga Filipino na dumaan sa tamang process at sa hindi.

Genuinely curious ako sa post assignment ng mga TUPAD workers. Bakit kailangang magkumpulan sa isang gilid, samantalang ang daming streets at lugar na nangangailangan ng paglilinis? Ang daming kalat at kalsadang puwedeng linisin, pero imbes na ma-distribute nang maayos ang mga workers, magkakasama lang sila sa iisang lugar.

Samantalang may mga street sweeper na mag-isang naglilinis ng isang buong street at nagagawa naman ang trabaho nila. So bakit hindi kayang ayusin ang assignment ng mga TUPAD workers para mas maraming lugar ang malinis? Ang punto rito ay hindi kung kaya ba nilang magtrabaho, kundi kung maayos ba silang naia-assign para maging kapaki-pakinabang ang programang ito sa komunidad. Sayang ang manpower kung hindi naman nagagamit nang maayos.

No man is free who is not master of himself. Epictetus

Happy Friday!!

We all know that the common stereotype of AFAMs/expats when they come to the PH is na usually old white men with young Filipina women, and even me I've seen a lot of those couples, sa malls, sa bars, sa BGC even, etc. I haven't been to a beach in a while, but probably mas marami pa dun, but I'm speaking here from what I personally saw. Has there ever been the opposite case in the PH? As in, have you ever seen white Western women and native Filipino men actually walking down the street or in the mall, as a couple?

No, I don't mean seeing them in online videos by vloggers or social media, that's easy enough to find. I mean actually having seen them in person. Kasi for some reason I've never seen them sa Metro Manila, at least not that I can recall. Curious lang talaga kasi they seem to be very rare, if that has ever happened, even if online may mga examples naman.

It's been weeks since the cancelation of Brgy elections was announced. Yet we still see the faces of candidates plastered everywhere.

COMELEC guidelines indicate that the burden of removal of campaign materials falls on the candidate.

Why then are candidates not being held accountable for this? Not to mention a lot of these posters were put up way before the official campaign period. I am sure a lot of Brgy officials were relieved that the election was canceled. The least they can do is keep their areas clean.

I hope we see show-cause orders being issued soon because this is just absurd.

Tanginang mga aspiring magnanakaw. Ampapanget na nga, proud pang ipangalandakan ang mga mukha nila.

What do you hate most about what's happening in the Philippines right now?

There are four things that really frustrate me about the Philippines. I love this country, but sometimes I wonder where we are actually heading.

1. Political Wars — Pink, Green, Red, Yellow

Everything has become about political colors. Instead of discussing policies, solutions, and national development, people are busy defending their political idols and attacking the other side.

It's always Marcos vs. Duterte, Pink vs. Red, and so on.

Why can't we focus on what's actually good for the Philippines instead of treating politics like a basketball rivalry?

1. Corruption and Misuse of the National Budget

We are talking about a proposed ₱7.2 TRILLION national budget for 2027.

Yet I see so much emphasis on local projects that politicians can use for publicity: basketball courts, road beautification, ayuda distribution, and other "epal" projects with politicians' names and faces everywhere.

I'm not saying local projects and social assistance are unnecessary, but why do we keep prioritizing short-term, politically marketable projects instead of long-term national development?

We should be investing more aggressively in railway systems, MRT extensions, the Metro Manila Subway, major infrastructure, and projects that actually improve productivity and economic growth.

Instead, there are reports of budget cuts affecting major infrastructure projects. I doubt the Metro Manila Subway will even be finished next year.

And the reported multibillion-peso increase in DPWH allocations for Sandro Marcos's district? Seriously?

With the 2028 elections approaching, I can't help wondering how many of these projects will become campaign materials.

1. China Taking Our Waters

China continues to challenge our maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea, and it feels like we can do very little about it.

We are economically and militarily weaker, and our options seem limited.

It frustrates me that we cannot adequately defend what rightfully belongs to us.

1. The Economy and the Struggles of Businesses

This one personally frustrates me a lot.

Customers are spending less, businesses are struggling to generate sales, and operating expenses keep increasing.

Labor, electricity, fuel, logistics, rent, and other costs continue putting pressure on businesses.

You need to earn more just to maintain the same level of profitability.

Meanwhile, ordinary Filipinos are also struggling with their daily expenses.

How can businesses expand, create more jobs, and increase salaries if customers are barely spending?

My biggest frustration is that all four problems are connected.

Political division prevents meaningful reforms. Corruption wastes resources. Weak national development limits our competitiveness. And ordinary Filipinos ultimately pay the price through higher living costs and fewer opportunities.

We have so much potential as a country, but sometimes it feels like we are going nowhere.

My question to everyone: Which of these four issues frustrates you the most? Or is there something even worse that I missed?

🇰🇷🇵🇭 | Hanwha Aerospace is prepared to supply the Philippines with the K239 Chunmoo Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), under the Re-Horizon 3 phase priority projects. They're ready to take a step-by-step approach to contribute to the Philippines' Self-Reliant Defense Posture program with the K239 Chunmoo MLRS.

“Our aim is not simply to deliver weapon systems, but to support our Partner’s modernization, readiness timelines and long-term sustainment. We are prepared to take a step-by-step approach to contributing to the Philippines’ Self-Reliant Defense Posture program,” said by Min-chang Kim, Head of Chunmoo Business at Hanwha Aerospace.

For the Philippines, building long-range fires is no longer only a question of which system performs best, but which can be delivered, fielded and sustained on a realistic timeline. The recent experience of several European armies suggests that Chunmoo offers a practical answer.

Long-range precision fires have moved to the forefront of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) priorities under Re-Horizon 3 of the AFP Modernization Program. Multiple rocket launchers and land-based missile systems sit at the heart of that shift, giving commanders greater reach and flexibility to support joint operations across the Philippine archipelago.

Beyond delivery, a potential Chunmoo program could strengthen the AFP’s ability to maintain and sustain its own equipment. The proposed support arrangements include the establishment of maintenance facilities in the Philippines, together with the transfer of maintenance technology and specialized tools to support in-country servicing by Philippine personnel. Such arrangements would support a more self-reliant defense posture while keeping long-term operational readiness at the center of the program.

The decision on the AFP’s future long-range fires capability ultimately rests with the Philippine government. As the country moves forward with Re-Horizon 3, the challenge is not simply to acquire a capable weapon system, but to establish a sustainable operational capability within the timeframe required by its national defense priorities.

With its growing record of international deliveries, flexible firepower and the potential for long-term support and local maintenance capability, Chunmoo presents a credible option for meeting that challenge. Backed by an established defense partnership between Korea and the Philippines, it represents more than a new weapons platform — it offers a potential foundation for the AFP’s long-range fires capability for decades to come.

https://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/2026/10/chunmoo-offers-a-practical-path-for-the-philippines-long-range-fires-modernization/

Source: https://insider-gaming.com/valorant-champions-tour-2027-locations-revealed/

https://www.strafe.com/news/read/riot-games-confirms-masters-champions-2027-locations/

saang magandang venue kaya nila gaganapin ito? preferred location sana is MOA Arena parang sa Manila Masters lang din ng Dota 2.

Valorant Masters Seoul (February 20-March 3)

VCT CUP 1 2027 Locations (April 29-May 23):

• Americas: Mexico City, Mexico
• EMEA: Warsaw, Poland
• Pacific: Manila, Philippines
• China: Wuhan, China