Duterte's first speech as President of the Republic of the Philippines

The full inaugural speech of the 16th President of the Republic of the Philippines, His Excellency Rodrigo Roa Duterte follows. Delivered today June 30, 2016 in Malacanang.

Inaugural Address of President Rodrigo Duterte
Oath-taking of the President of the Philippines
Malacañang Palace | June 30, 2016

President Fidel Ramos, sir, salamat po sa tulong mo (thank you for your help) making me President; President Joseph Ejercito Estrada; Senate President Franklin Drilon and the members of the Senate; Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and the members of the House of Representatives; Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court; His Excellency Guiseppe Pinto and the members of the Diplomatic Corps; incoming members of the Cabinet; fellow workers in government; my fellow countrymen.No leader, however strong, can succeed at anything of national importance or significance unless he has the support and cooperation of the people he is tasked to lead and sworn to serve.

It is the people from whom democratic governments draw strength and this administration is no exception. That is why we have to listen to the murmurings of the people, feel their pulse, supply their needs and fortify their faith and trust in us whom they elected to public office.

There are many amongst us who advance the assessment that the problems that bedevil our country today which need to be addressed with urgency, are corruption, both in the high and low echelons of government, criminality in the streets, and the rampant sale of illegal drugs in all strata of Philippine society and the breakdown of law and order. True, but not absolutely so. For I see these ills as mere symptoms of a virulent social disease that creeps and cuts into the moral fiber of Philippine society. I sense a problem deeper and more serious than any of those mentioned or all of them put together. But of course, it is not to say that we will ignore them because they have to be stopped by all means that the law allows.

Erosion of faith and trust in government – that is the real problem that confronts us. Resulting therefrom, I see the erosion of the people’s trust in our country’s leaders; the erosion of faith in our judicial system; the erosion of confidence in the capacity of our public servants to make the people’s lives better, safer and healthier.

Indeed ours is a problem that dampens the human spirit. But all is not lost.

I know that there are those who do not approve of my methods of fighting criminality, the sale and use of illegal drugs and corruption. They say that my methods are unorthodox and verge on the illegal.

In response let me say this:

• I have seen how corruption bled the government of funds, which were allocated for the use in uplifting the poor from the mire that they are in.
• I have seen how illegal drugs destroyed individuals and ruined family relationships.
• I have seen how criminality, by means all foul, snatched from the innocent and the unsuspecting, the years and years of accumulated savings. Years of toil and then, suddenly, they are back to where they started.

Look at this from that perspective and tell me that I am wrong.

In this fight, I ask Congress and the Commission on Human Rights and all others who are similarly situated to allow us a level of governance that is consistent to our mandate. The fight will be relentless and it will be sustained.

As a lawyer and a former prosecutor, I know the limits of the power and authority of the president. I know what is legal and what is not.
My adherence to due process and the rule of law is uncompromising.

You mind your work and I will mind mine.

“Malasakit. Tunay na Pagbabago. Tinud-anay nga Kausaban (Compassion. Real change.)” – these are words which catapulted me to the presidency. These slogans were conceptualized not for the sole purpose of securing the votes of the electorate. “Tinud-anay nga kabag-uhan. Mao kana ang tumong sa atong pang-gobyerno (Real change. This is the direction of our government).”

Far from that. These were battle cries articulated by me in behalf of the people hungry for genuine and meaningful change. But the change, if it is to be permanent and significant, must start with us and in us. [applause]

To borrow the language of F. Sionil Jose, we have become our own worst enemies. And we must have the courage and the will to change ourselves.
Love of country, subordination of personal interests to the common good, concern and care for the helpless and the impoverished – these are among the lost and faded values that we seek to recover and revitalize as we commence our journey towards a better Philippines. The ride will be rough. But come and join me just the same. Together, shoulder to shoulder, let us take the first wobbly steps in this quest.

There are two quotations from revered figures that shall serve as the foundation upon which this administration shall be built.

“The test of government is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide for those who have little.” – Franklin Delano Roosevelt

And from (Abraham) Lincoln I draw this expression: “You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong; You cannot help the poor by discouraging the rich; You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer; You cannot further the brotherhood by inciting class hatred among men.”

My economic and financial, political policies are contained in those quotations, though couched in general terms. Read between the lines. I need not go into specifics now. They shall be supplied to you in due time.

However, there are certain policies and specifics of which cannot wait for tomorrow to be announced.

Therefore, I direct all department secretaries and the heads of agencies to reduce requirements and the processing time of all applications, from the submission to the release. I order all department secretaries and heads of agencies to remove redundant requirements and compliance with one department or agency, shall be accepted as sufficient for all.

I order all department secretaries and heads of agencies to refrain from changing and bending the rules government contracts, transactions and projects already approved and awaiting implementation. Changing the rules when the game is on-going is wrong.

I abhor secrecy and instead advocate transparency in all government contracts, projects and business transactions from submission of proposals to negotiation to perfection and finally, to consummation.

Do them and we will work together. Do not do them, we will part sooner than later.

On the international front and community of nations, let me reiterate that the Republic of the Philippines will honor treaties and international obligations.

On the domestic front, my administration is committed to implement all signed peace agreements in step with constitutional and legal reforms.

I am elated by the expression of unity among our Moro brothers and leaders, and the response of everyone else to my call for peace.

I look forward to the participation of all other stakeholders, particularly our indigenous peoples, to ensure inclusivity in the peace process.

Let me remind in the end of this talk, that I was elected to the presidency to serve the entire country. I was not elected to serve the interests of any one person or any group or any one class. I serve every one and not only one.

That is why I have adapted as an article of faith, the following lines written by someone whose name I could no longer recall. He said: “I have no friends to serve, I have no enemies to harm.”

Prescinding there from, I now ask everyone, and I mean everyone, to join me as we embark on this crusade for a better and brighter tomorrow.

But before I end, let me express the nations, on behalf of the people, our condolences to the Republic of Turkey of what has happened in the place. We offer our deepest condolences.

Why am I here? Hindi kasali ito diyan (This is not part of my speech). The past tense was, I am here because I love my country and I love the people of the Philippines. I am here, why? Because I am ready to start my work for the nation.

Thank you and good afternoon.

Source: Presidential Communications Office

Fixing the Province of Marinduque: Tiwala o Tiwali? Tanong ng Obispo ng Boac

Bishop Marcelino Antonio M. Maralit, Jr., Bishop of Boac

“Iisa pong titik ang pinagkaiba ng TIWALA sa TIWALI, kaya nga po ang paggawa o pagsunod sa DAPAT at MABUTI ang nagpapatibay ng TIWALA, samantalang ang HINDI naman PAGSUNOD sa DAPAT at paggawa ng MASAMA ang paraan ng mga TIWALI" – ito ang isinaad ni Bishop Antonio Maralit, Jr., Bishop of Boac sa isang liham na ipinadala niya sa mga “Lingkod ng Bayan” sa kapitolyo ng Marinduque.

Sa liham na nabanggit, niliwanag ng Obispo na ang maraming tinig na nagpahayag ng agam-agam tungkol sa magiging paggamit sa 300 milyong pisong utang “na inaprubahan na” at ang “natipid na mahigit 100 milyong piso mula taong 2005 hanggang 2015 sa pondo ng lalawigan”, ang nagbunsod sa kanya para gumawa ng liham ng paalaala.

Matatandaang nagpahayag na rin ang Komisyon ng Audit (COA). ng pagtutol sa pamamaraaang isinagawa ng kapitolyo ng Marinduque sa usapin ng bidding tungkol sa ilang FMR projects na ang ilang kaukulang dokumento ay binansagan nito na “bogus”. 

Maging ang Department of Budget and Management (DBM) ay nanindigan rin sa isinagawang pagpapasa ng isang resolusyon na hindi naayon sa patakaran kaukulang patakaran ng nasabing ahensya.

Kasalukuyan pa ring dinidinig sa Makati RTC ang isang kasong isinampa ng isang grupo ng Marinduque taxpayers na may kinalaman sa P300-million na naglalayong pawalan ng bisa ang nasabing kontrata. Maging ang Sangguniang Panlalawigan ay nagawa nang bawiin ang kontrobersiyal na resolusyon na pinuntirya ng DBM tulad ng nabanggit sa itaas.

Subalit ayon naman sa impormasyon ay nagawang igiit ng isang mataas na opisyal ng Marinduque sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan para magpasa ulit ng panibagong resolusyon tungkol dito bago matapos ang kanilang panunungkulan. Ang mga dating opisyales ng Sanggunian, maliban sa mga muling nahalal, ay magtatapos ng kanilang tungkulin sa Hunyo 2016,

Ayon kay Obispo Maralit, dalawang grupo ang nais niyang paglaanan ng nilalaman ng kanyang sulat. Ito aniya ay para sa mga NAHALAL na mga lingkod ng Bayan – ang mga magtatapos na ang panunungkulan, at higit “sa mga magsisimula pa lamang”.

Kapitolyo ng Marinduque. Larawang kuha ni Jepoy Olores.

Ang ikalawang grupong pinatutungkulan ng Obispo ayon sa kanya ay ang “mga Kawani ng ibat-ibang sangay ng ating Pamahalaang Panlalawigan”.

Para sa unang grupo ng mga halal na opisyales ay binigyang diin ng Obispo ang kahalagahan ng “masusing pagpapatupad ng mga nakasaad na rin namang RULES o PAMANTAYAN sa pag-apruba o paglalaan ng mga pondo ng lalawigan”. 

Hindi aniya dapat aprubahan ang kahit anong paghingi ng mga pondo “kung wala pong tunay na proyekto at walang masusi at detalyadong paglalaanan ang mga ito”

Ang ikalawang grupo naman na pinatungkulan ng Obispo ay ang mga kawani na ang tungkulin, aniya, ay ang maglapat at magpatupad ng mga proyektong pangkaunlaran. Hiniling ng Obispo na hindi dapat hayaan ng mga nasabing kawani na sila ay maging "kasangkapan" ng kahit anong katiwalian o kasamaan na labag “at laban sa kabutihan ng inyong mga tungkulin at atas”.

“Manindigan po sana kayo sa tama at sa mabuti lagi”, at huwag aniyang hayaang ang para sa ikabubuti ng lalawigan ay “masayang at mapunta lamang sa mali.”

Nagpaalaala pa rin ang Obispo na “kapag nagpagamit kayo sa simula, siguradong gagamitin din kayo ng masama hanggang sa huli."

Sa isang bahagi pa rin ng nasabing sulat ay iminungkahi ng Obispo sa mga halal ng bayan na makapagbuo ng isang lupon na kakatawanin ng mga mamamayang mapagkakatiwalaan na masusing bubusisiin ang pagkakagamit sa mga pondo.

Bishop of Boac, other bishops praise Duterte's simplicity

Taken during Marinduque visit. Photo: Toby Jamilla

President-elect Rodrigo Duterte got compliments from at least three Catholic bishops on Wednesday when they described him as a simple person.

In a radio interview, Bishop Honesto Ongtioco of Cubao particularly lauded Duterte’s frugal inauguration at the Macalañang when he takes oath as president on June 30.

“I am happy about the simple inauguration. We need to be simple even in our way of life. Simplicity, an important value that we have to promote,” Ongtioco told Radio Veritas.

According to him, simplicity is one of the characters needed by a great leader.

“Simplicity, an important value that we have to promote,” he added.

Duterte and the 3 bishops. Photo credit: Today in Manila

Bishops Antonio Maralit of Boac and Pedro Arigo of Puetro Princesa said Duterte’s simplicity offers a good example to Filipinos and fosters solidarity with the poor.

Duterte’s transition team earlier said the inauguration will be just short and simple with only around 600 invited guests.

Breaking several inauguration traditions, it will be held this time at the palace’s Rizal ceremonial hall instead of the Quirino grandstand to avoid causing traffic jams or inconvenience to ordinary people. (CBCPNews)

Coalition of mining-affected communities supports Gina Lopez' DENR appointment

ATM Statement: Alyansa Tigil Mina on Gina Lopez’s appointment in DENR

DENR secretary-designate Gina Lopez

Alyansa Tigil Mina supports Gina Lopez’s appointment as DENR chief

 Alyansa Tigil Mina, a national coalition of mining-affected communities and their support groups, congratulates and extends its support to Gina Lopez as the secretary-designate of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Her recent appointment by president-elect Rodrigo Duterte is a clear signal that change is indeed coming in the mining sector. 

The alliance first worked with Ms. Lopez in 2011 after the death of Palawan broadcaster and anti-mining advocate Gerry Ortega sparked the formation of the Save Palawan Movement and its No to Mining in Palawan campaign. Ms. Lopez spearheaded these initiatives as managing director of the ABS-CBN Foundation. She has since become our ally in other campaigns not just on mining but also climate change and other social and environmental issues. 

We have witnessed the dedication of Ms. Lopez in conserving our natural resources and her passion in championing sustainable livelihoods for the rural poor. We have seen the positive impacts of Ms. Lopez’s intervention not only in Palawan but also in other mining-affected communities in Zambales, Batangas, Romblon, Samar, South Cotabato and Surigao del Sur.

 As a national coalition and also as a member of the broad Green Thumb Coalition of green groups, ATM will remain vigilant, particularly in the first 100 days of the new administration, in ensuring that the new top officials of the country will follow through on their promising stances and statements on mining.

 We look forward to continuing our meaningful partnership with secretary-designate Lopez to protect communities, the environment, and natural resources from illegal and destructive practices or irresponsible companies. We are hopeful that with her at the helm of the DENR, and with Duterte himself as chief executive, the incoming administration would hear and act on our demands, particularly the repeal of RA 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, the passage into law of the Alternative Minerals Management Bill, and an assessment of the implementation of Executive Order 79 in pursuit of mining reforms. 

Pope Francis says Christians 'must apologize' to gay people

Pope Francis has said that gays deserve an apology from Christians for the way they have been treated. He also said apologies were owed to other groups marginalized by the Church, such as women and the poor.

Pope Francis told reporters on Sunday that Catholics and other Christians should apologize to gay people and seek their forgiveness "for not having behaved as it should many times."

Francis' remarks came during a papal plane press conference as he was en route home from a visit to Armenia. He was asked whether or not he agreed with German Cardinal Reinhard Marx's comments on the deadly Orlando gay club shootings. At the time, Marx said the church owed an apology to gay people for marginalizing them.

According to the Catholic News Service, the Pope closed his eyes and shook his head following the question before saying, Christians "must ask for forgiveness. Not just apologize - forgiveness."

"The question is: if a person who has that condition, who has good will, and who looks for God, who are we to judge?" the pope added, repeating his famous "Who am I to judge?" remark about homosexuality made in 2013.

He did, however, say that some politicized behaviors of the gay community can be condemned for being "a bit offensive to others."

Francis then expanded his apologetic stance to include other groups marginalized by the Church.

"I think the church must not only apologize ... to a gay person it offended, but we must apologize to the poor, to women who have been exploited, to children forced into labor, apologize for having blessed so many weapons," he said.

After Pope Francis' press conference, Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardini told reporters that the pope was not referring to a medical "condition" when speaking about gay people, but rather a lifestyle.

Francis first said his "Who am I to judge?" comment during an airborne press conference in 2013, signaling a new era of acceptance for gays in the church.

Many gay Catholics, however, are waiting for concrete progress after a two-year consultation of the Church on family issues failed to chart out new avenues for them. -  (AP, AFP, dpa) Deutsche Welle

Barrick pays $140m to settle Pascua-Lama lawsuit

Di hamak na milya-milya ang layo ng danyos na inalok ng Barrick Gold para maresolba lamang ang class-action suit na isinampa laban sa higanteng kumpanya na may kinalaman sa Pascua-Lama project sa Chile: $ 140 MILLION!

Ang reklamo lamang sa Barrick ay ang hindi nito pagbibigay sa mga investors ng sapat na impormasyon, “misrepresentations and failures” na naging dahilan ng pagkalugi ng mga investor sa Pascua-Lama.

Samantalang kung ihahambing sa matinding dinanas ng mga Marinduqueno tulad ng pagkawasak ng apat na major ecosystems sa isla (kasama na ang mine site), pagkamatay ng dalawang bata, pagkawala ng mga hanapbuhay, pagpapatuloy ng pagkalat ng mga sakit na dala ng epekto ng pagmimina, pagsuporta sa mga maanumalyang mga gawain at iba pa ay ano ang napala natin?

Na pagbuyungan na lamang ang $20-MILLION na alok, na kalahati nito ay dati nang nakalaan para sa pag-rehabilitate ng Boac River? Na mas maiging paghati-hatian na lamang ng mga abogado at kasabuwat na mga pinagkatiwalaan ng mga tawo? Dahil lamang sa isip ng kinauukulan ay kayang-kayang laruin, linlangin, paikutin ang mga tawo?

Hanggang ngayon?

Sa Pascua-Lama mining project

Barrick pays $140 m to settle Pascua-Lama lawsuit

From: Mining.com

   

Barrick Gold (TSX, NYSE:ABX) has agreed to pay $140 million to resolve a US class-action lawsuit that accused the world's largest gold producer of distorting facts related to its mothballed $8.5 billion Pascua-Lama project in South America.

Barrick confirmed the agreement disclosed in papers filed on Tuesday in Manhattan federal court, adding that the settlement is insured. In a statement the Toronto-based company said it "continues to believe that the claims alleged by the lead plaintiffs in the litigation are unfounded, and under the terms of the settlement agreement, the company has not accepted any charges of wrongdoing or liability."

The lawsuit covers investors who acquired Barrick stock between May 7, 2009 and May 23, 2013. Shares in the company lost 44% of its value over that time period, with a large chunk of the losses coming in April and May that year. The class action alleged Barrick shareholders lost billions of dollars as a result of the company's "misrepresentations and failures" regarding Pascua-Lama.

After falling to 25-year lows in 2015, Barrick stock has rallied this year and the counter was worth $18.8 billion in New York on Tuesday, a 127% year-to-date jump.

The Chilean government approved construction of an open-cut gold and silver mine in 2006, but held Barrick to hundreds of conditions regarding the environment, particularly concerning glaciers surrounding the project high in the Andes.

On April 10, 2013, an appeals court in Chile ordered the miner to halt construction of the project over environmental concerns. In October that year, Barrick decided to halt the technically challenging project indefinitely citing massive cost overruns and nose-diving bullion prices.

The company said at the time it would resume it only if it found a cheaper way to proceed and earlier this month it revealed it was re-evaluating plans for the project. Barrick said it wasn’t ruling out a possible partnership to bring the project to completion.

Argentina has been an enthusiastic supporter of the project – while only around a fifth of the deposit is located in Argentina many of the above-ground facilities will be built on that side of the border.

If it ever comes into production Pascua-Lama would produce about 800,000 to 850,000 ounces of gold and 35 million ounces of silver per year in the first full five years of its 25-year life.

Pag-pollute ng Calancan Bay, Marinduque

Norwegian envoy to Duterte: Thank you for doing this

The Philippines' president-elect promises to help negotiate the release of a Norwegian held captive by terrorist group Abu Sayyaf

STILL HOSTAGE. Norway's ambassador Erik Forner meets with President-elect Rodrigo Duterte and freed kidnap victim Marites Flor to discuss the situation of Norwegian hostage Kjartan Sekkingstad.

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Norwegian Ambassador Erik Forner thanked President-elect Rodrigo Duterte for his continued efforts to secure the release of Abu Sayyaf hostage Kjartan Sekkingstad.

Forner met with Duterte on Friday, June 24, moments after the incoming president met Marites Flor, the kidnap victim released by Abu Sayyaf that morning.

Their meeting took place at the so-called Malacañang of the South in the Department of Public Works and Highways compound in Panacan, Davao City.

"We are very thankful for what you are doing," Forner told Duterte in a video released by Radio TV Malacañang (RTVM) to media on Friday evening.

Duterte has promised to help in negotiations for the release of Sekkingstad, the only victim of the September 2015 Samal Island kidnapping incident still held hostage by Abu Sayyaf.

Two other hostages, Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, were beheaded by the terrorist group after the ransom deadline had passed.

Flor was present at the meeting between Forner and Duterte. In the video, she is heard talking about Sekkingstad's hope that the Norwegian government do their best in securing his release.

"He really needs help.... I am so sorry Kjartan is not here," said Flor.

Earlier that day, Flor told media that the Abu Sayyaf still plans to kill Sekkingstad if they do not get the ransom money. The terrorist group was demanding P600 million in ransom for the hostages. (READ: Abu Sayyaf's release of Flor was 'act of goodwill')

Flor was released in front of the house of Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan II in Jolo, Sulu, at around 4:30 am on Friday, according to intelligence reports sourced by Rappler.

She was picked up from Jolo by incoming peace process adviser Jesus Dureza, who brought her to Davao City to meet Duterte.

Asked why Flor was presented to Duterte and not to President Benigno Aquino III, Dureza said: “Don't ask me that. Ask that of President Aquino’s officials.”

Dureza said her release was "an act of goodwill" from the Abu Sayyaf.

Three days before, Duterte declared in a speech that a "time of reckoning"would come for the Abu Sayyaf.  - Pia Ranada/Rappler

MIMAROPA tsunami talk para lamang sa kaalaman mo

Sa isang disaster preparedness info campaign na isinagawa sa Romblon ni Dr. Renato Solidum, pinuno ng Phivolcs, nagbabala ito na ang mainland Palawan ay walang active fault pero puwede pa rin itong tamaan ng mga tsunami.  

“Ang Palawan ay maaaring maapektuhan ng tsunami na manggagaling sa alin mang dagat sa magkabilang bahagi ng isla", ani Solidum.

Ang lahat ng mga isla sa rehiyon aniya, tulad ng Mindoro, Marinduque at Romblon ay maaaring tamaan ng mga tsunami. Ang mga nabanggit na mga isla ay may mga aktibong fault, di tulad ng Palawan.

Matatandaang sinalanta ng isang tsunami na may taas na walong metro ang bahagi ng Mindoro noong November 15, 1994, na pumatay sa 78 katao at sumira sa 7,566 na mga kabahayan matapos maramdaman doon ang isang 7.1 magnitude na lindol. Nabalisa rin ang mga taga-Gasan nang nakarating hanggang sa kanilang lugar ang isang minor tsunami naman.

Ang 1994 Mindoro earthquake ay lumikha ng isang tsunami na tumama sa bahagi ng Mindoro, ng Verde Island, Baco Islands at bahagi ng Luzon. Ang epicenter nito ay nasa Verde Island Passage, na pumapagitna sa Luzon at Mindoro.

Dahil ang MIMAROPA ay maaring mahagip ng mga ganitong geologic hazards, idinagdag pa ni Dr. Solidum na kailangang maging handa ang mga residente sakaling dumating ang mga ganitong pangyayari. Ang pag-inspect ng mga bahay, mga gusali at mga iba pang istruktura at pagtitiyak ng pagsunod sa building code ay makakatulong aniya na maibaba ang bilang ng mga namamatay o nasasalanta sa mga lindol. Dapat din aniya na alamin kung saan ang pinakamatibay na bahagi ng bahay o gusali, at alamin ng mga tao kung ano ang dapat gawin pagkatapos ng lindol.

Sinabi rin niya na ang mga komunidad na nasa baybayin ng dagat, ay dapat maging alerto sa mga natural na senyales ng tsunami - tulad ng pagyanig ng lindo (a felt earthquake), ang pagbaba ng tubig dagat (a sudden change in seawater level), at hugong (a loud rumbling sound). Mahalaga ito dahil ang tsunami na naging sanhi ng paglindol malapit sa baybayin ng dagat ay maaaring dumating sa loob lamang ng dalawa hanggang limang minuto, dagdag pa niya.

Iba pang tungkol sa tsunami:

1. Ang tsunami ay magkakasunod na pagkalalaking alon sa dagat na sanhi ng mga lindol na naganap sa ilalim ng dagat, o landslide, o pagputok ng bulkan sa ilalim pa rin ng dagat. Maari ring ang tsunami ay maging sanhi ng pagbagsak sa karagatan ng isang higanteng meteor. Ang mga higanteng alon ay maaaring umabot ng higit pa sa 100 talampakan.

2. Halos 80% ng tsunami ay nagaganap sa mga lugar na sakop ng Pacific Ocean's 'Ring of Fire'.

3. Ang unang alon ng tsunami karaniwan ang hindi pinakamalakas, kundi ang mga kasunod na alon ang mas malalaki at mas malakas.

4. Ang mga tsunami ay may mga bilis na mula 500 milya o 805 milya sa isang oras, halos kasing bilis ng isang jet plane.

Ang tsunami sa Mindoro ay umabot ng 8 metro ang taas.
Makikita sa larawan kung gaano kataas ang 3 metro pa lamang
kung ihahambing sa isang taong may taas na anim na talampakan.

(Ang mga larawan sa itaas ay mula sa ibat-ibang Internet sources)

Philippine Fault Lines

Pighati ngani? Ho-o baya

Kahapon lamang, June 22, namuo sa kanlurang bahagi ng islang Marinduque ang apat na ipo-ipo/buhawi sa katanghaliang-tapat. Wala namang nahagip o nasaktang mangingisda sa dagat bagamat ito ay mapanganib. Kuha ni Christopher F. Lacena

May mga pagkakataon manding hindi natin madaling tanggapin sa ating isipan ang mga pangyayari na maaaring may kinalaman sa ating buhay, o ano mang bagay sa ating paligid kapag ang mga ito ay sumasalungat sa ating mga naging paniniwala na, o hindi ito ayon sa mga sarili nating mga ideya na natutuhan naman natin sa ating pagkamulat at sa matagal nang panahon. 

Maging totoo man ang mga bagong impormasyon, pangyayari o ideya ay hindi lahat tayo nagiging komportable sa mga ito, kaya't maaring pinipilit natin na bawasan na lamang ang pakikinig o pag-alam sa mga bagong usapan gaaano pa katotoo ang mga ito kahit ayon pa sa siyensiya. Isara na lamang ang mga mata at tainga. Kung tutuusin, talagang mas madali na sadyang iwasan na lamang na harapin ang mga paniniwala o datos na taliwas nga sa ating mga dating pinaniwalaan, gaano pa kaliwanag ang mga ito.

Volcano eruption and strength history, 1600-2014

Sa kasalukuyang panahon, na panahon ng kagilagilalas na teknolohiya at impormasyon, napakabilis nganing makasagap tayo ng ibat-ibang mga paniniwala o ideya, o mga kaganapan na direktang sumasalungat sa ating mga pinaniwalaan dati. Para sa marami, mas madaling magpokus na lamang sa mga nakaaaliw na mga bagay, o mga tsikahan o mahumaling na lamang sa ganito at ganoong hindi kailangang pag-isipan.

'Kung ang mga patay ay hindi muling binubuhay, magsikain at magsiinom tayo yamang bukas tayo'y mangamamatay.' 

(1 Corinthians 15:32). 

Parang ganun na lamang baya ang kanilang paniniwala, isipa raw.

Ganoon pa man, may mga bagay-bagay na hindi magagawang itanggi, pigilan o iwasan nino pa man gaano pa kahusay ang pagbabale-wala, pagtatuwa o pagbasura sa nasabing mga bagay. Basta't ang totoo, maaaring sa buong kasaysayan natin ay talagang ibang uri naman ng pakikipagbaka at mga pighati ang kinakaharap natin ngayon.

Ngani? Ho-o baya.

The amazing earthquake paradox of the last 114 years

Seamounts or undersea volcanoes, It is estimated that there could be tens of thousands of large seamounts. (Wessel, 2001; Kitchingman & Lai, 2004; Hillier & Watts, 2007).
Their distribution is widespread throughout the world's oceans, especially in the Pacific.

USGS worldwide deadly & destructive earthquakes between Magnitude 6 and 8

Annual global temperature anomalies 1950-2011

From 6-13 October 2013, Marinduque was struck by a large swarm of 25 earthquakes.

19 of those occurred in 3 days, 15 of them occurring within 12 hours before the last tremor on October 13. Two days later, on October 15, 2013, the M7.2 destructive Bohol earthquake hit with 222 reported killed.

Earlier this week: Four shallow earthquakes ranging from M2.8 to M3.5 struck Marinduque in the same location on June 17 and 19, the most recent (near Mt. Malindig), is shown above.

Map of fish and bird kills.

Parang tulog nga lamang ba ang Malindig Volcano? Alamin ang mga senyales ng impending eruption

Mt. Malindig view mula sa Buenavista. Kuha ni Yin Es Solis

Ano baga ang ibig sabihin ng mga geologist kapag sinabi nila na ang isang bulkan ay aktibo (active) o parang tulog (dormant)? Ano ang pagkakaiba dahil wala namang sino mang nakatitiyak kung ang isang bulkan ay tapos na ang pagngangalit sa kanyang buhay o kung puputok na naman at kailan.

Ang aktibong bulkan ay itong sa kasalukuya'y nasa regular na estado ng pagputok. Sa Pilipinas, ilan lamang dito ay ang Bulusan, Kanlaon, Taal, at Mayon. Inaaasahan na may malaking pagputok ang magaganap sa mga ito sa hinaharap. Sa kasalukuyan, ayon sa Volcano Discovery mga 40 bulkan (sa Pacific Ring of Fire pa lamang), ang sabay-sabay na pumuputok ngayon, pinakamataas na sa nakasulat na kasaysayan ng mundo.

Sa kabilang dako, ang parang tulog na bulkan naman ay ganun na nga, 'parang tulog'. Pero may kapasidad itong pumutok muli sa hinaharap at natulog lamang ng matagal na panahon, daan o libong taon man.

Ang buhay ng bulkan naman ay tumatagal ng libo-libong taon, o milyong taon pa pero pumuputok paminsan-minsan. Maraming mga bulkan sa ibat-ibang panig ng mundo ang pumutok na sa mga nakaraang libong taon, pero sa nakatalang kasaysayan ay nanatiling tahimik ang mga ito. Kaya't sa loob ng maraming taon, ay nanirahan na sa mga paanan nito ang malalaking populasyon.

Nangangahulugan na ang sinasabing parang tulog o dormant na mga bulkan ay bahagi pa rin ng klasipikasyon bilang aktibong bulkan. Ang diperensya lamang ay hindi ito pumuputok sa kasalukuyan.

View ng Mt. Malindig mula sa Google Earth

Ayon sa USGS ang dormant volcano raw ay alinmang bulkan na hindi nagpapakita ng senyales ng ligalig o unrest, pero maaari itong maging aktibong muli, anya.

Hot spring systems (mas umiinit na ba?)

Maraming mga bulkan naman ang may mga aktibong hydrothermal systems kung saan dumadaloy mula sa ibabaw papunta sa ilalim ang mga ilog na kung saan umiinit naman ito dahil sa mga lumalamig na magma. Kahit pa pala ang bulkan ay may hot springs, o mudpots, o geysers, ang tawag pala rito ay hydrothermal features, at hindi volcanic.

Kumukulong asupre, sulfur, sa paanan ng Malindig sa dakong Buenavista.
Malbog Sulfuric Hot Spring. Photo: Eli J Obligacion

Napakahabang panahon pala ang kailangang lumipas muna para lumamig ang magma na nasa crust ng mundo dahil una, napakainit ng magma kapag ito'y dumadaloy, mahigit sa 700 degrees C at, ikalawa, ang bato (rock) ay mahusay na insulador. Maaaring abutin pala ng milyong taon bago lumamig at tuluyang tumigas ang malaking magma sa ilalim ng lupa at para maging kasing lamig ng temperatura ng mga batong nasa paligid nito.

Ayon naman sa Phivolcs ang mga sumusunod ang senyales ng namumuong pagputok ng bulkan. Mas maiging alamin natin.

Kasama ang Mt. Malindig ng Marinduque sa listahan ng mga
active at potentially active volcanoes ng Pilipinas.

Precursors of an Impending Volcanic Eruption

The following are commonly observed signs that a volcano is about to erupt.  These precursors may vary from volcano to volcano.

1. Increase in the frequency of volcanic quakes with rumbling sounds; occurrence of volcanic tremors

2. Increased steaming activity; change in color of steam emission from white to gray due to entrained ash

3. Crater glow due to presence of magma at or near the crater

4. Ground swells (or inflation), ground tilt and ground fissuring due to magma intrusion

5. Localized landslides, rockfalls and landslides from the summit area not attributable to heavy rains

6. Noticeable increase in the extent of drying up of vegetation around the volcano's upper slopes

7. Increase in the temperature of hot springs, wells (e.g. Bulusan and Canlaon) and crater lake (e.g. Taal) near the volcano

8. Noticeable variation in the chemical content of springs, crater lakes within the vicinity of the volcano

9. Drying up of springs/wells around the volcano

10. Development of new thermal areas and/or reactivation of old ones; appearance of solfataras. (Solfatara, ( Italian: “sulfur place”) a natural volcanic steam vent in which sulfur gases are the dominant constituent along with hot water vapor)

Revelation 6:12-14, 

"And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; every mountain and island were moved out of their places.”

Nahum 1:5 

"The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt (lava-producing volcanoes), and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwelt therein."

Source: USGS