When Councilor Kate Galang-Coseteng steps into a barangay hall or a makeshift tent in a community hit by calamity, she is not just visiting—she is listening.

For nearly a decade, Coseteng has served as one of Quezon City’s youngest and most active councilors, winning three consecutive terms since 2016. Before filing her Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA), she holds the post of Minority Floor Leader in the Quezon City Council. But beyond her titles, Coseteng is known for her hands-on approach to governance: talking directly with the people, hearing their concerns, and transforming their stories into policies.

Now, she is lending her name and experience to the Kababaihan Partylist, not just as a representative-in-waiting, but as a public servant with a clear vision: make institutions work better for women, mothers, solo parents, and marginalized communities.

A Record of Service

Coseteng’s legislative record includes the landmark ordinance that established Quezon City University—providing affordable tertiary education to thousands of students. She is also the principal author of the Quezon City Dialysis Center ordinance and the city’s Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Code, which offers greater access to healthcare, employment, and education for people with disabilities.

She has been a strong advocate for the rights and welfare of solo parents, ensuring support mechanisms like educational subsidies and social protection are available at the local level.

Coseteng earned her degree from Cornell University in New York, after earlier studies at Siena College in Quezon City. She traces her roots to Pangasinan and Sorsogon through her parents, Grace dela Vega Galang and Rod Galang. She is also the daughter-in-law of former Senator Nikki Coseteng, herself a prominent voice in women’s rights during her time in Congress.

Akbayan Party-list Representative Perci Cendaña has filed House Bill 11078, also known as the "Bawal Judgemental Bill," to eliminate strict dress codes in government offices offering frontline services. The measure aims to make government transactions more accessible, especially for marginalized communities, by addressing policies that discriminate against individuals based on their attire.

“Strict dress codes only end up discriminating against the poor and indigenous communities,” Cendaña explained. “We want to remove judgment based on clothing, especially when it has no bearing on the services being accessed.”

Cendaña emphasized that public services should be inclusive and welcoming. "Not everyone can afford an ‘outfit check.’ Government offices should serve everyone equally, regardless of socioeconomic status," he added.

What the "Bawal Judgemental" Bill Proposes

Formally titled the Open Door Policy Act, the bill seeks to prohibit government agencies from imposing unnecessary dress codes on citizens availing of frontline services. This includes situations where specific attire or footwear has no practical connection to the transaction being performed.

The guessing game continues. Would you know who is who in this guessing game? If yes, good for you, but better check it again if it's right, but if not, well, you can still continue reading to get more of the clues in our "kwento."

The first 100 days of the present administration are not yet over but it already comes with so much drama and politicking. One of which is this story from a source whisperer, that describes who is this "silid-dito-silid-doon-boss" and his two especially employed personalities in the field of business and politics.

Allegedly, according to the source whisperer, the collector is the one tasked with negotiating for the money to be collected for the so-called "Boss," the Government official. He or she ensures that the collected money will be delivered on time. While the other personality is the depositor who makes deposits to the bank account of the high-ranking official.

The alleged transaction, negotiation, and exchange of messages happened during the month of June and July this year, there were different conversations about the multi-million transaction or "subi" (cut collection) from a project that is supposed for the poor.

With the new administration, changes are happening in all of the agencies of the government. All are unstable just like the honeymoon  period, trying to make things work out for the betterment, but sometimes  this traditions must give way when very dangerous tendencies strart rearing their ugly heads. And that is exactly what happened when incoming ES Vic Rodriguez announced the appointment of Christopher Pastrana as General Manager of the Philippine Ports Authority.

The appointment reportedly caught the 2 other members of the screening committee, Naida Angping and Anton Lagdameo by surprise. More importantly, the appointment was announced at the same time as that of incoming DOTR Secretary Jimmy Bautista, even before the latter has even accepted.

And that was critical, because since PPA is an agency attached to the DOTR, such should have been vetted with him. That courtesy was extended to incoming Finance Secretary Ben Diokno, who had a say in the appointments of the respective heads of BSP,BIR and BOC. But not in the case of PPA. And the plot thickens, once one starts going deeper to find out who Pastrana is, and who his business partner is.

Pastrana is the President of two companies- Archipelago Philippines Ferries Corporation and Philippine Archipelago Ports and Terminal Services and Philharbor Ferries and Port Services. Archipelago owns FastCat ferries, while Philippine Archipelago operates port terminals.

These consideration should have legally disqualified Pastrana from being appointed to PPA, or to any other government agency that regulates his businesses. But it seems that ES Rodriguez failed to see this, even if Pastrana’s business partner is Dennis Trajano, Rodriguez’s bilas (their wives being sisters). Trajano, in fact, sits as Chairman of the board of both companies. But wait, there’s more, Pastrana’s brother-in-law is also a port operator himself, a certain Rommel Ibuna. As a result, Pastrana will end up regulating not only his businesses and that owned by his brother-in-law, but also lord it over the businesses of their competitors.


So, what do you think of this?

Its the official last day (yesterday) of the campaign period. As each candidates intensely throw their final blow of convincing the public, there are others who make the intensity a little light with the different memes. Yes, people have found their witty and fun side even in the heat of this year's election.

Naturally, we Filipinos are natural comedians and there is that usual phrase "ang taba ng utak" which means a healthy brain, or on a naughtier meaning a fatty, witty brain. We literally make fun of everything, it is not being bullish, but perhaps it is our coping mechanism in making hard work a little lighter. Experience wise having fun at work makes it a lot faster and lighter. But politically, it has two meanings or purposes.

Political memes are double-edged sword, it may sound funny and witty but its true intension is to promote a political candidate or to defame that political aspirant.

From local to national, we find different political memes some of these are created by supporters and some are simply created by individuals who love a good laugh. Even though these memes provide an avenue for the candidates to get the attention they wanted, as most PR people would say, "good or bad publicity is still publicity."

Now, will these political memes be as sharp as swords in slicing through the consciousness of the voters? Perhaps we can only see it after the final canvassing. So, to us, voters, good luck in making our final decision.

One of the Ejercito's, "The Good One" is making his way back to the Senate by running as one of the candidates for the Senatorial seat this coming May 2022 Election.

After losing in the last election, JV Ejercito, planned to focus more on something else other than politics, but when the pandemic came, and he believed that he should continue what he started. Especially this pandemic, the Universal Health Care program wasn't fully implemented and utilized by the people.

During the pocket size interview with the Sen JV, he laid down what he had observed during the pandemic and what had happened regarding the activation and fully implementation of the Universal Health Care Act. He was a bit disappointed on the outcome of his landmark legislation that would benefit the whole Filipino people.

Now, in this coming election, he believes that he will have a tough battle to win one of the senatorial seats. Aside from his priority plan to continue and see through the full implementation of the Universal Health Care Act, he's also prioritizing the housing and settlement development and the infrastructure development. These three programs, according to him will give progress to all Filipino people.

Like what JV Ejercito mentioned during the informal pocket interview, his run for the senate is tough battle for a re-electionist, but he believes that his accomplishments speaks for him.

The election is coming, let us pray for a peaceful and fair election.

Senator Panfilo “Ping” has once again proven he is truly the corruption-buster “Mr. Clean” he is touted to be. In recent articles, the presidential candidate known for his strong anti-corruption stance, was recently vindicated for previous crimes he was unjustly accused of during the Arroyo administration. No less than former President Sen. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, in her recently launched memoir entitled “Deus Ex Machina,” admitted that the accusations against Sen Lacson were fake.

“The information that was made public could not be substantiated,” GMA wrote in her memoir.

Years later, Marquez recanted accusations against Sen Lacson and apologized. Corpus also issued a publicly televised apology to Lacson for falsely accusing the senator.

True to form, the magnanimous Lacson did not hurl vindictive comments against his accusers. Instead, he tweeted a forgiving message to his former detractor. “Late is always better than never. To ex-PGMA’s credit, she has the decency and courage to admit that she publicly and unjustly accused me of various crimes based of false information. Whatever, I have already forgiven her a long time ago.”

Even in the thick of the present presidential election, Lacson maintains his nonbelligerent stance, preferring not to say anything about the other candidates wanting to be President of the Philippines because he is also running for the position.

In his recent interview session with Boy Abunda for the television personality’s series 2022 Presidential One-on-One Interviews, Lacson, one of five presidential candidates who were invited to the show, chose to talk instead about what made him best suited for the highest position in the Philippines.

“I am the most qualified, the most competent, the most experienced (candidate),” he told Abunda matter-of-factly without mentioning any of his rivals.

The candidate said it was time for voters to be discerning, to realize that politics was not entertainment and they should not be influenced by dole-outs.

In his campaign sorties, a singing and dancing Lacson would certainly not be on the program. “I won’t sacrifice authenticity,” he said, and would not do anything that had nothing to do with the country’s problems.

“The number one problem is the government, so the solution is the government- good, honest governance,” he said.

Lacson stressed, “Tough problems need tough solutions from the country’s top leaders.” His goal, if elected president, was to leave the country better off than when he started and see a greater respect for government officials.

Although he acknowledged that the qualifications for presidential candidates were so much simpler than those required of job applicants, the senator also pointed out that college degrees do not guarantee outstanding public service.

“Maraming may PhD na mas magaling magnakaw kaysa magsilbi sa bayan (there are many people with doctoral degrees who are very skilled in stealing public funds than in serving the country),” he said.

He would not oppose though some changes in the qualifications, although it would require a constitutional amendment. The job was demanding, he pointed out, and it called for skills in handling crises like the still ongoing corona virus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

 
 

Famously known action-star today, Coco Martin or on-screen name Cardo Dalisay, is actively making rounds all over as he debuts his endorsement to a new party-list advocating for livelihood and the transport sector, the AP Partylist or #AkoyPilipino on Friday, February 25.

“Anuman ang hirap na ating pinagdadaanan, may kakampi na tayo…” Martin introduced his new party-list group with first nominee Rep. Ronnie Ong in-action in the background in the partylist’s video now circulating online. He continues, “Ang AP Partylist ang tutulong magbigay ng trabaho at kabuhayan sa mga manggagawang Pilipino.”

Rep. Ronnie Ong is Coco Martin’s long-time friend and is nicknamed by PeopleAsia as the “frontliner Congressman.” Ong is known for his various out-of-the-box COVID-19 Bayanihan projects since the first lockdown, such as his #LibrengSakay program for healthworkers, #LibrengGulay program for community kitchens, #LibrengTablets and E-skwela Hub e-learning centers for students and teachers. 

The controversial Presidential aspirant, BongBong Marcos or BBM is the "buena mano" for Net 25 Primetime Show, A.S.P.N (Ano Sa Palagay N'yo?) for their interview with the Presidentiables. It is part of the show's effort to inform the Filipino people and help them be aware of the candidates' plans in becoming public servants.

Ali Sotto and Pat-P Daza are the hosts of the A.S.P.N. program, who throw in no-holds-bar questions to their guests, most especially to individuals running for positions in the government office, as for this specific show for BongBong Marcos. Right at the beginning of the show, they've given their straightforward declaration of their stand on the matters. BBM or not they intend to show what the people need to see.

Even though with issues and controversy when it comes to interview invitations, BBM sits in with Ali and Pat-P for the interview. A no-holds-barred interview and yet BBM was comfortable and was very enthusiastic in all of the questions thrown at him.

The A.S.P.N. interview tackled issues and plans for the government. As most people expect, what would be or how will it be in the first 100 days? Organization, as mentioned by BBM during the interview. According to him, we need to have that plan for the government not just for the segment parts of the country.

Another issue raised, which is probably what the Filipinos need right now, is discipline. There were parts of the interview where the hosts cited instances during the Marcos era. But for BBM, history is in the past, and what we need now is to concentrate on the present.

It is indeed a no-holds-barred interview but with no tension in the air. A light but meaningful interview to let the viewers be informed.

So, how about you? What do you think of the show and the questions that were thrown at BBM?

A banner to fight poverty through education, Anti-corruption crusader Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson will fight persistent poverty in the country by giving young people more access to education.

Lacson points out that the Philippines has a high dropout rate because of poverty. Young people are forced to leave school to help their families and because being in school are proving to be a heavy financial burden. They remain mired in poverty because without a good education their prospects are limited and they can only get low-paying jobs.

In this latest video, the presidential aspirant who wants to reform government and make it truly work for the good of the people will launch the innovative Edukasyon Plus program if elected. The program will provide free education and institute a government internship program. Each family will receive a P5,000 monthly allowance during their family members’ internship. Lacson believes that this arrangement will allow students to focus on their studies as they will not be under pressure to help their families.

“Even if education is free, young people cannot finish their studies because they have to help their families. If this vicious cycle continues, when will they be able to lift themselves from a life of poverty?” he says.

Studies show that among member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Philippines have the highest school dropout rate.

Lacson is convinced that education is the only way to give people the chance of a better future and to improve the lives of Filipinos, many, if not most, of whom still live below the poverty line. People remain mired in poverty, unable to get better-paying jobs, for lack of education, he stresses.

With Edukasyon Plus, young people can avail of free education and participate in a government internship program that will pay their families a monthly allowance. “They won’t have to choose anymore between education and work to help their families,” Lacson says. He believes the program will help many people leave behind lives of poverty.

“Edukasyon Plus is the real solution to the problem of poverty,” Lacson adds.

Lacson and his running mate, Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto, are running on the slogan “Aayusin ang gobierno, aayusin ang buhay mo.” (They will fix the government and put your life in order.)

For more info on Ping Lacson, follow https://www.facebook.com/PingLacsonOfficial.