Jerome Balinton

Asia-Pacific Deputy Regional Representative at the @calpnetwork | Former Humanitarian Manager at @SaveChildrenPH | Former journalist at @inquirerdotnet

[Leila de Lima @manayleila]

Today, a lot of young people voted for the first time.
Me too.

First time ko ulit bumoto nang malaya, after almost 7 years sa detention dahil sa mga gawa-gawang kaso na isinampa ng nakaraang administrasyon.

Yung unang dalawang picture, 'yan yung huling beses akong bumoto noong 2022. May mga pulis pa akong kasama nun. Nakabantay sila habang bumoboto ako. Hindi ko talaga makakalimutan 'yung pakiramdam na parang pati karapatang 'yon, may limitasyon.

Ngayong araw, nakaboto ulit ako. Wala nang mga pulis na sumusunod. Yung mga staff ko nalang na nakasama ko sa kampanya nitong mga nakaraang buwan.

Naghintay ako sa pila, kasama ng mga nasa priority lane—mga senior citizens, PWDs, at buntis. May konting kamustahan, pero mas nangibabaw ang sabik na makaboto muli. Bumoto ako hindi lang para sa sarili ko. Bumoto ako para sa bayan. Para sa hustisya at reporma.

Pagkatapos, nag-lunch out lang naman kami. Simple lang, pero espesyal. Kasi ngayon, hawak ko na ulit ang oras ko. At higit sa lahat—malaya akong nakaboto kanina. ☺️🙌

[BALIKAS News @balikasonline]

Push-bike racing comes to Batangas: A thrilling new community for young riders https://t.co/q170gXXrIS via @Balikas News Network

[iMPACT Leadership @iMPACTPH2019]

DINGDONG DANTES HONORS EDSA PEOPLE POWER ANNIVERSARY ON FAMILY FEUD PHILIPPINES

Actor and host Dingdong Dantes marked the 39th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution during an episode of Family Feud Philippines on Tuesday, February 25.

"Ngayong araw po na ito ay ginugunita natin ang 39th anniversary ng EDSA People Power Revolution. Lagi po nating tandaan na ang tunay na kapangyarihan ay nasa taumbayan. Basta't sama-sama at may pagkakaisa ay mananatili tayong malaya," Dantes said.

[Dean Mel Sta. Maria @deanmelofficial]

FACTS YOU SHOULD NOT FORGET IN REMEMBERING FEBRUARY 25:

The three (3) GREAT branches of government have already acknowledged that the Marcos ( Martial Law) Regime was terrible era in Philippine history:

THE EXECUTIVE: In the aftermath of the ouster of Marcos, the monstrous damage to the country of Ferdinand Marcos' regime was revealed. The Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) was created for "the recovery of all ill-gotten wealth accumulated by former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, his immediate family, relatives, subordinates and close associates, whether located in the Philippines or abroad." ( Executive Order No. 1 Series of 1986). In 2003, even the Supreme Court ruled that "the Swiss deposits which were transferred to and are now deposited in escrow at the Philippine National Bank in the estimated aggregate amount of US$658,175,373.60 as of January 31, 2002, plus interest, are hereby forfeited in favor of petitioner Republic of the Philippines." ( RP vs. Sandiganbayan et al, G.R. No. 152154 July 15, 2003)

JUDICIARY ( SUPREME COURT): The Supreme court has characterized the Marcos Regime as a dictatorship and President Marcos as a dictator. Thus in Marcos vs. Manglapus ( G.R. No. 88211 September 15, 1989), the SC said: "This case is unique. It should not create a precedent for the case of a dictator forced out of office and into exile after causing 20 years of political, economic and social havoc in the country." In Cocofed et al vs. PCGG ( G.R. No. 75713 October 2, 1989), the SC said "the agencies or enterprises were organized and financed with revenues derived from coconut levies imposed under the succession of laws of the late dictatorship." Concurring opinion of Chief Justice Marcelo Fernan in the Manglapus case: "It must be remembered that the ouster of the Marcoses from the Philippines came about as an unexpected, but certainly welcomed, result of the unprecedented peoples power" revolution. Millions of our people braved military tanks and firepower, kept vigil, prayed, and in countless manner and ways contributed time, effort and money to put an end to an evidently untenable claim to power of a dictator. The removal of the Marcoses from the Philippines was a moral victory for the Filipino people..."

CONGRESS ( House of Representative and Senate) legislated a law: Republic Act No. 10368 "declared the policy of the State to recognize the heroism and sacrifices of all Filipinos who were victims of summary execution, torture, enforced or involuntary disappearance and other gross human rights violations committed during the regime of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos covering the period from September 21, 1972 to February 25, 1986 and restore the victims' honor and dignity." Many have already received their reparation by 2018.

There are thus legal, factual, empirical and even moral bases for truthfully characterizing historically that the late President Marcos Sr., was a dictator and his regime was a dictatorship.

[Angat Buhay @angatbuhay_ph]

SA PAGBABAYANIHAN, BUHAY ANG DIWA NG EDSA 🇵🇭

Nakikiisa ang Angat Buhay sa buong bansa sa paggunita ng makasaysayang EDSA People Power Revolution bilang pagkilala na buhay pa rin ang hamon na tuparin ang mga pangako nito.

[The Philippine Star @PhilippineStar]

On this day in 1986, hundreds of thousands of Filipinos took to the streets to protest against the Marcos dictatorship in what became known as the EDSA People Power Revolution.

Today, we remember the power of the Filipino people.

[Rjhay Mulimbayan Reyes @rjhaymreyes]

Kiko, Bam, and Heidi are running to lower the prices of goods, give jobs to the needy, and alleviate corruption in the government. Meanwhile, Duterte’s bets are running “para mapigilan ang impeachment ni Sara”.

See the difference? When public service becomes a cult, we suffer.

[Heidi Mendoza @HeidiMendoza45]

Mga anak we need to increase our awareness. 💜🇵🇭

Wala tayong gimmick , malalaking billboard or makinarya na aasahan.

Isang Retweet, Heart and Follow sapat na para dumadagdag ang ating hanay.

Let this be a CAMPAIGN OF THE PEOPLE. NOT OF THE TRAPOS.

#45HeidiMendoza

[Joseph Morong 🇵🇭 @Joseph_Morong]

More than 50% of partylist groups running for #Eleksyon2025 does not represent marginalized groups, Election watchdog Konta Daya says @gmanews @24orasgma

[alt iWant @ALTiWantTFC]

Ngayong #Halalan2025, iWant Kiko - Bam sa Senado!!!

#NewProfilePic #KikoBam2025 #51PangilinanKiko #5AquinoBam

[Heidi Mendoza @HeidiMendoza45]

A true people’s campaign - no machinery, no party, no dynasty.

I am out in the streets and churches, speaking to the people who have long been unheard.

RT and Heart kung pagod na kayo sa politiko, lingkod bayan naman.💜

Ipanalo na natin to.🇵🇭
#45HeidiMendoza

[Heidi Mendoza @HeidiMendoza45]

#HeidiMendozaParaSaBayan
Totoong Lingkod Bayan Hindi Politiko!💜🇵🇭

“Ang bulsa ng gobyerno, konektado sa bulsa ng bawat Pilipino.”

#45HeidiMendoza
#FormerCOACommissioner
#TayoNaman

[Kiko Pangilinan @kikopangilinan]

🎶 NANDITO NA SI KIKO! 🎶

Bukas na! Pebrero 11, 4 PM, sama-sama tayo sa People’s Campaign Kick-off Rally sa Dasmariñas Arena, Cavite!

Sa Cavite unang naipaglaban at nakamit ang ating kalayaan. Ngayong 2025, dito rin natin sisimulan ang bagong laban—hindi laban sa dayuhang mananakop, kundi laban sa kahirapan, kagutuman, at kawalan ng pag-asa.

Napababa natin ang presyo ng bilihin noon—at patuloy tayong kikilos para gawing abot-kaya ang pagkain para sa bawat Pilipino.

Para sa mas mababang presyo, tapat at totoong pamamahala, at mas maunlad na Pilipinas—Kita-KIKS sa Cavite! ✊🔥🇵🇭

#TapatAtTotoo
#KikoSaSenado2025
#51PangilinanKiko

[Philippine Supreme Court Public Information Office @SCPh_PIO]

The Supreme Court (SC) reiterated that premarital sexual relations leading to pregnancy are not immoral and do not justify suspending an employee.

The SC ruled that Bohol Wisdom School (BWS), a Christian school, illegally suspended a grade school teacher for becoming pregnant outside marriage.

It held that sexual relations between two unmarried, consenting adults are not immoral. No law prohibits this, nor does it go against any fundamental state policy found in the Constitution.

The SC clarified that under the law, the standard of morality applicable to all is public and secular, not religious.

Public and secular morality refers to conduct that is prohibited due to its harmful effects on human society rather than being based on religious beliefs.

The SC held that if the government were to otherwise base public policies and morals on religious beliefs, this would require everyone to conform to a religious program or agenda.

As the teacher’s pregnancy cannot be considered immoral, it was not a valid ground for her suspension.

The SC ordered BWS to pay the teacher backwages and benefits due her during the period she was suspended.

The Decision was from the Supreme Court’s First Division, written by Associate Justice Ricardo R. Rosario.

Read the full text of the press release: https://t.co/KBfXUtEqaW

Read the full text of the Decision: https://t.co/PCDgdeYM6F

#SupremeCourtPH

Copying of this content is subject to the SC PIO’s Credit Attribution Policy: https://t.co/AOPk6X3Oex

[Tony Leachon MD @DrTonyLeachon]

Dear @bongbongmarcos ,

History will remember the legacy of every president not by their rhetoric, but by the lives they changed and the impact they left behind.
The late President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III will forever be celebrated for the Sin Tax Law , which provided the critical lifeline that funded health programs for the poor.

President Rodrigo Duterte will be remembered for the landmark Universal Health Care (UHC) Law , which promised every Filipino the right to accessible and quality healthcare.

But what will history say about President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.?

If the 2025 General Appropriations Act is signed as is — with 90 billion in diverted PhilHealth funds, zero subsidy for healthcare, and inadequate prioritization of the UHC Law — his administration will be etched in the annals of history as the one that turned its back on the sick, the suffering, and the dying.

Mr. President, imagine the faces of those you serve:

- A mother cradling her feverish child in the corridors of an overcrowded hospital, unable to afford even the most basic medication.

-A farmer in the provinces walking miles to a rural health center only to be told there are no funds for his dialysis sessions.

- An elderly man who contributed to PhilHealth all his life, now begging for help as mounting hospital bills eat away at his family’s savings.

These are not just statistics. These are real people — your people — who are crying out for help, for dignity, and for hope. Yet, this proposed budget turns a deaf ear to their suffering. While they endure sleepless nights, skipping meals to make ends meet, the government is poised to deprioritize healthcare in favor of unprogrammed appropriations and the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).

When your administration diverted 90 billion from PhilHealth to unprogrammed appropriations, you signaled that healthcare is not a priority. When the government allocated zero subsidy for healthcare in 2025, you placed millions of Filipinos at risk, especially the poorest and most vulnerable. When the cries for support from those who depend on the Universal Health Care Law were met with silence, you betrayed the promise of a healthcare system that is meant to be universal, accessible, and equitable.

This is not about politics anymore Mr. President. This is about lives, Filipino lives. This is about mothers, fathers, children, and grandparents who will not survive another year of neglected healthcare. This is about patients sharing beds in government hospitals because there is no funding for better facilities. This is about the thousands who die preventable deaths every year because there is no medicine, no doctor, no system to catch them when they fall.

Mr. President, this is your moment!

You stand at a crossroads, and your decision on this budget will define your presidency. Veto the 2025 GAA and prioritize the health and dignity of the Filipino people.

Show them that you are a leader who values life over luxury. Show them that you are a president who listens to the cries of the suffering. Show them that you will honor the trust of every Filipino who pays into the system, believing it will be there when they need it most.

Do not let your legacy be one of indifference. Do not let history remember you as the president who allowed the healthcare system to crumble when it needed leadership the most. This is your chance to rise above politics and prove that you care for the Filipino people, not just in words, but in actions.

Mr. President, choose the path of compassion, integrity, and justice. Rewrite your legacy by leading with courage and putting healthcare where it belongs — at the forefront of this nation’s priorities. Do it for the sick. Do it for the poor. Do it for the millions of Filipinos who trusted that their government would not abandon them.
Let history remember you as the president who stood for the people, not the one who turned away from them in their time of greatest need.

[Ian Griffiths @icgee]

When I take public transit in a new city, I like to write down my first impressions immediately. I think it’s important to remember what’s easy & hard so that we can channel that empathy to design more user-friendly, accessible transit.
So, some thoughts after 8h in Taipei...1/x

[Leila de Lima @manayleila]

Atty. Zuleika Lopez, Chief of Staff of Vice President Sara Duterte, was detained for just 𝐚 𝐟𝐞𝐰 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬.

They jailed me for nearly seven years—𝟐,𝟒𝟓𝟒 𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐒 to be exact. Did you ever see me act like this?

Such behavior, especially from someone in a position of authority, disrupts the proper functioning of our institutions and weakens trust in the system. Isang kawalan ng respeto sa mga kinakailangang proseso ng pananagutan. Kailangan pa talaga haluan ng drama.

#MLPartylist #MamamayangLiberal #LeilabanAngLeilayan #LabanLeila #LeilaDeLima #TaraML

[Informed PH @informedph2]

🚨 Rep. LUISTRO DARES TO ASK THE UNASKABLE🚨

Congresswoman Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro, unshaken and fearless, confronts former President Duterte in a gripping interpellation, seeking clarity and accountability for the war on drugs and its chilling legacy.

Emphasizing his promise to take full legal responsibility, Luistro probes: What happened to the bodies buried in Laud Quarry? To the victims of the Davao Death Squad? To the lives lost in the 2004 Dumoy raid?

Former President Duterte fires back, asking, "Where is your proof?"

Luistro responds:
"Mr. President, I’m anchoring my questions about these separate incidents from your initial statement—that you are taking full legal responsibility for all the victims of the war on drugs, both legal and illegal. You are a long-time prosecutor, and of course, it is fundamental among us all lawyers to uphold the requirements of due process."

Duterte counters with: "We are zeroing in on a particular individual now."

Luistro powerfully reminds:
"Mr. President, due process is the law that hears before it condemns. Due process is the law that requires notice and hearing."

The former president’s short rebuttal, "If you say so," leaves the air thick with tension.

Luistro quips back with another gripping reminder:
"Mister President, I hope that we will be reminded that by due process, THE END DOES NOT JUSTIFY THE MEANS."

Congresswoman Luistro proceeds to present statistics on the war on drugs:

- 6,252 individuals killed in police anti-drug operations as of May 2022.
- 27,000 to 30,000 individuals killed, including vigilante-style executions.
- 427 activists, human rights defenders, and grassroots leaders killed as of December 2021.
- 166 land and environmental defenders killed as of December 2020.
- 23 journalists and media workers killed as of April 2022.
- 66 judges, lawyers, and prosecutors killed as of December 2021.
- 28 mayors and vice mayors killed as of December 2021.

Cong. Luistro then delivers the crucial question:
"Mr. President, my question is: When you implemented the war on drugs, did you strictly comply with the requirements of due process?"

With a firm and unwavering tone, former President Duterte responds, "YES."

She continues, pointing out:
"It is my humble submission that, contrary to the answer of the former president, I humbly believe that the war on drugs never complied with the requirements of due process. The statistics show the huge number of victims of the war on drugs. If my memory serves me right, during the Aquino administration, there were around 200 victims, and during the present administration, there are around 200 victims as well. Given these statistics, there are almost or around 31,000 victims. If indeed they followed the requirements of due process, there should not have been this many deaths. Instead, there should have been many cases pending in court. I hope that all of us are reminded by the fundamental law that no person should be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.

It is the humble submission of this representation that the Quad Comm is ready to make a recommendation for the filing of the necessary actions in court for violations of RA 9851—an act defining and penalizing crimes against international humanitarian law—or, at the very least, for murder cases as defined under the Revised Penal Code."

The Interpellation Intensifies

To conclude her interpellation, she delivers a series of no-holds-barred questions:

Luistro:
"Mr. President, three Chinese drug lords were killed at the Davao Penal Colony. Are you willing to take accountability and responsibility for this?"

Duterte:
"Wala ako sa Davao, nandito na ako sa Manila."

Luistro:
"Are you saying no?"

Duterte:
"If gusto mong isali yan, idagdag mo, ok lang."

Luistro:
"How about the death of General (Ret.) Barayuga? Are you willing to take full legal responsibility for this?"

Duterte:
"No, I do not kill generals."

Luistro:
"The death of Mayor Parojinog and the 15 others in Ozamiz City. Are you taking full responsibility for this?"

Duterte:
"Hindi ako nagpapatay ng mga mayor, ma’am."

Luistro:
"The death of Mayor Espinosa of Albuera, Leyte. Are you taking full responsibility for this?"

Duterte:
"That is my birthplace."

Luistro:
"The death of Mayor Toni Halili of Tanauan City?"

Duterte:
"Malayo yan sa akin, ma’am."

Luistro:
"The death of Mayor Perez of Los Baños?"

Duterte:
"Lalo na."

A Riveting Ending

Luistro fires back:
"If you are denying all these, alin po yung tinutukoy niyo when you said you are taking full responsibility for all the victims of the war on drugs, both legal and illegal?"

The former president mumbles in response:
"Yes, kasi order ko kasi yung, that is my campaign against drugs. Alam mo maraming estasyon, maraming police. Kung nagkaleche-leche doon, hindi ako maghuhugas ng kamay. Of course, nagkamali sila. If there is an appropriate action na gusto niyong ilabas, then file a case in court. I’m challenging anybody or everybody who makes the accusation, whether it is really true or not—maybe true—file the case in court, because may korte tayo. Even if I admit na totoo yan, because I will make the admission there again."

Luistro counters:
"Are you saying, Mr. President, when you go to court, you are willing to admit accountability for all the deaths during the war on drugs?"

Duterte replies:
"Of course, may abogado ako, ma’am. Kung ano ang sasabihin ng abogado ko, susunod ako."

Luistro presses further:
"I hope that everything you said before the Quad can be reduced in writing so that truly we can believe that you are taking full legal responsibility for all the victims of the war on drugs, both legal and illegal. Because as lawyers, we believe that by extrajudicial confession, we have to put that in writing, Mr. President."

Duterte responds:
"...It’s a policy of government or the president. Hindi ako maghuhugas ng kamay..."

The Final Question

Luistro asks:
"If one of these days the ICC will come, will you voluntarily submit yourself?"

Duterte retorts:
"Sipain ko pa sila, ma’am."

Luistro reminds him:
"But you said a while ago, that if somebody will sponsor your fare to the ICC, you will voluntarily submit yourself to their investigation and jurisdiction."

Duterte replies:
"Yes, pero kung sila pumunta dito, sipain ko."

Luistro clarifies:
"But will you confirm that you are willing to voluntarily submit yourself to the ICC?"

Duterte firmly states:
"Oo, punta ako doon, sipain ko din sila."

A Gripping Conclusion

Luistro ends her interpellation with grace and precision:
"I have nothing further. Thank you, Mr. President."

In this powerful exchange, Congresswoman Luistro demonstrates fearless leadership and unwavering commitment to truth and accountability, leaving no question unanswered in her pursuit of justice.

#LargaLuistro2025

[Save the Children Philippines @SaveChildrenPH]

This is how Signal No. 5 sounds in areas hit by the eye of a typhoon.

Children may feel scared. Comfort them and explain what’s happening in words they can understand.

Let’s make #LahatDapatSafe by staying informed and protecting our children. Click https://t.co/epgVmxASRc.

[Jules Guiang @julesguiang]

Tayong lahat si ate sa gitna.