Prince Umpad

08/09/2025

08/09/2025

Someone told me talking about politics isn’t biblical. Nah. If your mama is stressing to put food on the table, that’s politics. If your papa is struggling to budget, that’s politics.

If you need a part time job just to study, that’s politics. If your street floods every year, that’s politics. If you are afraid to get sick because of hospital bills, that’s politics.

Wala din akong pake dati e. But if you are all good in your place, maybe that is why you think politics does not concern you.

Politics is everywhere. It is in the price of rice, the jeepney fare, the hospital bill when someone gets sick. Even failed flood control projects are politics.

And politics is biblical. Prophets like Amos, Isaiah, and Jeremiah called out corrupt leaders who oppressed the poor. Jesus flipped tables in the temple when people were being cheated. Justice, fairness, and leadership are all in the Bible.

So no, talking about politics is not unbiblical. What is unbiblical is staying silent while people suffer.

08/09/2025

BREAKING: Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson replaces Marcoleta as Blue Ribbon Committee chairman.

The Blue Ribbon Committee is the Senate’s main watchdog on corruption and misuse of funds.

Putting Lacson in charge shifts the tone. He has reputation for discipline and law enforcement.

Replacing Marcoleta is also a political move. Committee chairs are about power and alliances. This signals trust in Lacson and a need to solidify the majority.

The question now is whether Lacson will keep the committee independent or use it to protect allies. The public will judge based on how he handles high-profile investigations.

08/09/2025

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto hit the Discaya couple’s testimony in the Senate, saying they are only trying to escape jail by becoming state witnesses.

He admitted that congressmen, DPWH officials, and contractors are guilty, pero malinaw din daw na hindi dapat basta paniwalaan ang mag-asawa.

He added that the couple’s “paawa effect” should not mislead the public, warning that it’s more about self-preservation than real accountability. “Wag tayong magpauto,” Sotto said, stressing na hindi dapat gawing malinis ang mga whistleblowers just because they point fingers.

The Senate now faces the task of separating truth from lies.

Source: News5

08/09/2025

After Chiz Escudero was removed as Senate President, Tito Sotto quickly built a new majority bloc. Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan decided to join that majority, and Risa Hontiveros also returned after years in the minority.

In the Senate, the majority always holds the power. They control the agenda, committee chairmanships, and which bills move forward. That is why 15 senators lined up behind Sotto: Aquino, Pangilinan, Hontiveros, Cayetano, Ejercito, Gatchalian, Lacson, Lapid, Legarda, the Tulfo brothers, the Villar siblings, and Zubiri.

The decision of Aquino and Pangilinan is important because they were once identified with the opposition. By joining the majority, they gain influence and relevance inside the chamber. Sa Senado, ganito talaga, survival and numbers matter.

08/09/2025

Maine Mendoza said the accusations against her husband, Quezon City 1st District Representative Arjo Atayde, are baseless and unfair. It’s normal for her to defend him, but it shows how families also get dragged into political issues. What’s needed now is a clear investigation and real accountability so the truth comes out.

08/09/2025

Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has confirmed that 15 senators have already signed for a change in leadership at the Senate. That number is more than enough to unseat Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who only assumed the post a few weeks ago.

This confirms what has been circulating in political circles: mabilis mag-shift ang alliances sa Senado. Power depends on numbers, and once the majority feels their image or interests are at risk, they quickly move to protect themselves.

The timing is no coincidence. Escudero has been dragged into questions about budget insertions and the ongoing flood control controversy. For many senators, distancing from him and rallying behind Sotto is a safer move. Stability takes a back seat when survival is at stake. Let’s see how this one goes.

Source: ABS-CBN News

08/09/2025

Break free muna tayo sa politics, good news tayo ngayon. Umpisa na ang paggawa ng bahay ni Tatay Nelson. May lupa na at nagsimula na rin ang pagputol ng puno para sa kanyang magiging tahanan. All thanks sa hands-on initiative ni Ms. Inday Faith.

Si Tatay Nelson po yung naaksidente at ang una niyang nasabi ay, “Wala akong pera pambayad sa ospital.” Imbes na dalhin sa hospital, dinala lang siya sa pagawaan ng pedicab at binigyan ng maliit na halaga. Sa kabila ng hirap, mabait at matatag pa rin siya.

Ngayon mas okay na ang kondisyon niya. At malaking pasalamat dahil may neurologist na nag reach out sa atin para ma check up si Tatay at pati na rin ang kanyang asawa.

Sa ngayon nakatanggap po ako ng ₱145,722.57. Kasama ng ibang pledges at donations, umabot na po sa mahigit ₱300,000 in total ang tulong para kay Tatay Nelson at sa kanyang pamilya.

Pag natapos ang bahay, bibilhan natin siya ng groceries at appliances para kumpleto na ang panimula.

God is good. Maraming salamat sa lahat ng nag extend ng tulong. Dahil sa inyo may bago nang pag asa si Tatay Nelson at ang kanyang pamilya.

08/09/2025

In a Senate Blue Ribbon hearing, contractors Sarah and Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya claimed that lawmakers and DPWH officials were taking 10–25 percent cuts from flood control projects.

They named several officials, including House Speaker Martin Romualdez of Leyte.

The timing is notable because last September 5, 2025, Romualdez said, “The House of the People will never condone corruption.”

His statement now faces questions after his name appeared in the Discayas’ testimony. Reports also show that flood control projects got over ₱308 billion this year, with past studies warning that much of the money never reaches real projects.

08/09/2025

Reports say Tito Sotto already has the numbers to replace Chiz Escudero as Senate President, kahit na kaka-reelect lang kay Escudero a few weeks ago. This shows how fast alliances can shift in the Senate, with survival and numbers mattering more than stability.

The move comes after the flood control scandal, kung saan lawmakers were accused of taking huge cuts from projects. Escudero’s name has been tied to questionable budget insertions and contractors, making him vulnerable. For many senators, mas ligtas na to distance from him and rally behind Sotto to protect their own image.

This is another chapter in the long history of Senate coups and shifting loyalties. Let’s see how this one goes.

Source: ABS-CBN News

08/09/2025

The Discaya couple named lawmakers and officials allegedly getting 25 percent cuts from flood control projects. The list included House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Leyte), Arjo Atayde (Quezon City), Marvin Rillo (Quezon City), Roman Romulo (Pasig City), Patrick Vargas (Quezon City), Marcelino Teodoro (Marikina City), Zaldy Co (Ako Bicol Partylist), Marivic Co-Pilar (Quezon City), Teodorico Haresco (Aklan), Budoy Madrona (Romblon), Nikki Briones (Agap Partylist), Jojo Ang (Uswag Partylist), Benjie Agarao Jr. (Laguna), Antonieta Eudela (Zamboanga Sibugay), Odie Tarriela (Occidental Mindoro), and Reynante Arogancia (Quezon Province).

Flood control funds are meant to protect people. Pero kung 25 percent agad ang napupunta sa cuts, kulang na ang pondo at palpak ang d**e, drainage, at proyekto. Kaya taon-taon, lubog ang mga siyudad at probinsya. Hindi lang ulan ang dahilan, kundi mismong korapsyon.

The names cut across Metro Manila, provinces, and party-list groups. Ibig sabihin hindi ito isolated, kundi sistematikong gawain. Sa halip na serbisyo publiko, naging negosyo ang proyekto.

The question is simple. Mananagot ba ang mga nasa listahan o mauuwi lang ito sa maingay na balita na makakalimutan? Ang tao ang talo habang nananatiling malakas ang baha at mahina ang hustisya.

08/09/2025

Anyone knows Nanay selling pastillas?

Gusto ko siyang bigyan ng cart at puhunan. At her age there must be a reason bakit hanggang ngayon kailangan pa rin niyang maglako, baka pang maintenance o pang araw araw na gastos.

Nakakalungkot kasi ganito pa rin kalagayan ng matatanda sa atin. Totoo, we should all prepare for old age, pero sana may mas maayos ding suporta para hindi sila napipilitang maghanapbuhay sa ganitong sitwasyon.