Michael Apacible Bulletin

  Former Customs Officer Links Duterte Kin, Ex-Aide to 2018 Drug Shipment Former customs intelligence officer Jimmy Guban, wearing a bulletproof vest and helmet, testified before a joint hearing of four House committees investigating illegal drugs and offshore gaming operations (POGOs). His testimony implicated key figures, including relatives and a former advisor of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, in a significant 2018 drug shipment. Guban's Testimony and Allegations Guban, who previously testified in a 2018 Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, initially linked former Police Colonel Eduardo Acierto to the P6.8 billion worth of shabu found in magnetic lifters at the Manila Port. However, during the House Quad Committee hearing, Guban recanted his earlier statement, claiming he was threatened after being cited in contempt by the Senate. Threats and Intimidation: Guban testified that he received threats, including those suggesting his life was in danger if he were det...

  Filipina Tennis Star Alex Eala Falls Short in Thrilling Miami Open Semifinal, Makes History and Inspires Proud Nation with Resilient Performance The cheers of a nation echoed across the globe this past week as Filipina tennis star Alex Eala battled fiercely in the semifinals of the prestigious Miami Open . While victory ultimately went to her formidable opponent, Jessica Pegula, the Filipina ace's inspiring journey and unwavering spirit have ignited a renewed passion for tennis in the Philippines and left an indelible mark on the sport. Alex Eala , now currently ranked world number 75 from 140 , entered the Miami Open as a wildcard and showcased extraordinary skill throughout the tournament. Her remarkable run included stunning victories against three Grand Slam champions: 2017 French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko (world No. 25), reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys (world No. 5), and most notably, the world No. 2 and five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Świątek. These wi...

  The Weight of Hubris: Duterte, Divine Reckoning, and the Nation's Burden Rodrigo Duterte's tenure was marked by a brazen disregard for established norms, a penchant for incendiary rhetoric, and a profound challenge to the very foundations of faith. His infamous declaration, "Who is this stupid God?" was not merely a flippant remark; it was a defiant gauntlet thrown at the heart of spiritual conviction, a direct affront to the divine. The scriptures, across various traditions, resonate with the concept of divine retribution. While the timing and nature of such judgment remain shrouded in mystery, the consequences of unchecked hubris often manifest in tangible ways. The global pandemic, COVID-19, emerged in the wake of Duterte's blasphemous pronouncements, casting a pall of suffering and uncertainty across the world. For many, this was not a mere coincidence but a stark reminder of the potential consequences of challenging the sacred. The Philippines, in particul...

  Yolanda Funds: Isyu'y Ginamit upang Wasakin Ang mga Matitinong Lingkod Bayan, kung kaya't ang ating Bansa'y Muling Nagdurusa Mahigit isang dekada na ang nakalipas mula nang hagupitin ng super typhoon Yolanda ang ating bansa, partikular na ang Eastern Visayas. Ang trahedyang ito ay nag-iwan ng malalim na sugat sa ating kasaysayan, at ang pagbangon mula rito ay naging isang mahaba at masalimuot na proseso. Sa kasamaang palad, ang mismong pondo na dapat sana'y tumulong sa muling pag-angat ng mga nasalanta ay naging sanhi pa ng patuloy na pagkakawatak-watak at pagdududa. Mga Akusasyon at Pagkwestiyon Mula noon hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin humuhupa ang mga akusasyon at pagtatanong hinggil sa nawawalang pondo ng Yolanda. Ang dating administrasyong Aquino, kasama ang mga kaalyado nito, ay walang tigil na binatikos at sinisisi sa umano'y hindi maayos na paghawak at paglalaan ng tulong pinansyal para sa mga biktima. Ang mga pwersang may layuning siraan ang kanilang reputa...