🐟🐟 How to Catch the Big Fish and Grill 'Em Good? (T.I.O. #68)
The title speaks for itself! Now, let's see if you can guess what type of fish they are!
Hi, everyone.
There are many kinds of fish to catch and many ways to grill them (the Houses of Congress, the courts, etc.)! Which ones taste great and which ones don’t? It's a lot to figure out!
Deliverables
Given the closure of GMA Regional TV's Balitang Bicolandia and the Penafrancia fiesta, is a dedicated regional TV channel still relevant as streaming surpasses traditional broadcasting?
News from the Past Week
National
🛂 Marcos sacks Immigration chief Tansingco | PhilStar
🙅🏻 Sara Duterte, entire OVP snub 2nd round of House budget deliberations | Rappler
✈ Direct flights between Manila and Paris to start in December, says DOTr | Inquirer
Other News
☪ SC: Bangsamoro law constitutional but Sulu not part of BARMM | GMA
🛬 Mabilog, ex-mayor of most ‘shabulized’ city, back in Philippines | PhilStar
Metro News
Regional News
International News
2024 US Election
Debate Highlights
From Vanity Fair, 2024 Presidential Debate Recap: Highlights From the Harris-Trump Showdown
🗳️ Other International Elections
Algeria
Incumbent President Abdelmadjid Tebboune won a second term in the presidential election there. Voter turnout was low, with fewer than 6 million of 24 million eligible voters participating, despite an announced provisional turnout of 48%.
Last Sunday, the independent electoral authority declared that Tebboune secured approximately 94% of the votes, greatly surpassing his closest rivals: Islamist Abdelali Hassani Cherif with about 3% and socialist Youcef Aouchiche with around 2.1%. While the result was expected, it raises concerns about the legitimacy of the electoral process, especially given the low voter turnout compared to previous elections.
Jordan
The recent parliamentary elections represented a crucial shift in the political landscape, occurring under new reforms designed to strengthen political parties. These elections were the first since the 2022 constitutional amendments aimed at diminishing tribal influence and promoting political pluralism.
The Islamic Action Front (IAF), an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, became the leading party, securing 31 out of 138 seats in the parliament. This represents a significant rise from 10 seats in 2020 and their largest presence since 1989.
The elections occurred amid increased tensions from the Gaza conflict, impacting public sentiment in Jordan, especially among its Palestinian population. The IAF's rise reflects frustrations over regional issues and domestic challenges, including a 21% unemployment rate and nearly $50 billion in public debt.
The results suggest a shift in Jordan's political dynamics, with the IAF's increased presence reflecting a rising demand for representation aligned with popular sentiments on Palestinian rights and regional stability. However, experts warn that tribal and pro-government factions will likely continue to dominate Jordan's political landscape.
Upcoming International Elections
20–21 September: Czech Republic, Senate (1st round)
Other International News
⚖️ Boy, 14, and father in court over Georgia school shooting | BBC
🇯🇵 For many investors and intellectuals leaving China, it’s Japan — not the US — that’s the bigger draw | AP News
🏴☠ Michel Barnier is new French PM but protesters rage at ‘stolen election’ as Macron picks conservative Barnier for PM
Sports
🎾 US Open: Jannik Sinner is the Men’s Singles Champion (Vogue)
🎱 Rubilen Amit captures historic Women’s World 9-Ball crown for Philippines | Rappler
Entertainment
International
👩🏽🎤🚌 Linkin Park Unveil Emily Armstrong as New Co-Vocalist, Announce 2024 World Tour and Album | Rolling Stone
🎵💰 Selena Gomez becomes a billionaire | CNN
🏈⚜️ Kendrick Lamar will headline the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show | CBS News
😆 ‘SNL’ Adds Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim and Jane Wickline to Cast; Chloe Troast Departs | Variety
🎤 Olivia Rodrigo to hold a concert in Manila this October | GMA News
🪓 Rachel Zoe and Rodger Berman announce split after 33 years together | CNN
🃏 How Zayn Malik's Love of Yu-Gi-Oh! Influences His Life and Career | IGN
Local
🐶🚫 ‘Pets are not gifts’: Animal welfare group issues reminder after BINI’s Aiah receives puppy from fan | Rappler
🧑🏼⚕️ Is ‘Abot-Kamay na Pangarap’ ending? Richard Yap reacts | PhilStar
Technology
📖🧑🏽⚖️Internet Archive’s e-book lending is not fair use, appeals court rules | Ars Technica
🌐🤖 US, Britain, EU to sign first international AI treaty | Reuters
📱Everything you missed about the iPhone 16, AirPods 4 and the Apple Watch 10 | CNN
🕯️Obituaries
Op-Ed from the Outside
💰 Trump’s SWF size envy not grounded in reality | Reuters
😲 Timow’s Weekly Editorial: Abalos’ moment to shine
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos has captured the public's attention, positioning himself as a strong contender for a more prominent political role—perhaps even a Senate seat. This past week, Abalos has been in the spotlight for several high-profile actions of the arrests of Alice Guo and Apollo Quiboloy, proving that he is more than capable of taking on the complexities of national leadership. But does this set the stage for a Senate bid?
From Crisis to Crisis: The Rollercoaster Ride
In the realm of public service, especially in an agency as broad and impactful as the DILG, crises are inevitable. And Benhur Abalos has not shied away from them. From handling contentious political squabbles to spearheading large-scale law enforcement operations, he has proven that he’s not one to cower under pressure.
Just recently, his handling of the situation involving suspended Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo caught the public eye. The infamous selfie with Guo and Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Rommel Marbil was widely criticized. While President Marcos Jr. remarked that this is not a big deal as our country is the “selfie capital of the world,” it is seen as inappropriate — something ordinary people learned from what happened in the aftermath of the Manila bus hostage crisis in 2010.
While the optics were poor, Abalos managed to steer the narrative in his favor by making up for it with a key development: the arrest of fugitive evangelist Apollo C. Quiboloy. This significant move carried out on a Sunday night, caught the attention of Filipinos who had long wondered when justice would catch up to Quiboloy, a man with enormous influence under the Duterte years and numerous legal woes.
Although the Quiboloy arrest became a high point in his career, many are still waiting to see if Abalos can deliver on another high-profile fugitive: former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. Teves has been in hiding following the murder of Governor Roel Degamo and has yet to be brought to justice. Should he succeed in this task, it would solidify his image as a no-nonsense law enforcer, a critical quality for anyone eyeing a Senate seat.
Timing and Political Strategy
It’s no secret that the political landscape in the Philippines is always in motion, and speculation is rife that Abalos may be included in the administration's Senate slate for the upcoming 2025 elections.
The Senate is a logical next step for someone like Abalos, whose profile has steadily risen in recent months. His current position already gives him access to a wide-reaching platform, one that allows him to interact with various local officials and police forces—key players in any political campaign.
The convention period for political alliances and the formation of senatorial slates is ongoing until September 28, leaving Abalos with a window of opportunity to decide whether he wants to throw his hat into the ring. He has until October 8 to file his certificate of candidacy. If he does choose to run, he will find himself in a favorable position. As a Cabinet member of this administration, he would likely enjoy the benefits of being backed by the machinery of a ruling administration, potentially increasing his chances of victory.
However, his candidacy hinges on public perception of his DILG performance, making the upcoming weeks critical amid various challenges in governance and the fight against crime and corruption.
Learning from the Past: A Comparison to Mar Roxas
When looking at Abalos’ potential trajectory, it's hard not to draw comparisons to one of his (not immediate) predecessors, Mar Roxas. While Roxas earned respect for his competence, he ultimately struggled with public perception, especially in the wake of the Supertyphoon Yolanda aftermath, where the government’s slow response was heavily criticized.
Abalos seems keenly aware of these pitfalls. So far, he has handled each crisis with measured decisiveness, trying to avoid the kind of PR disasters that plagued his predecessor—except with the Guo selfie that made the President fire an Immigration chief. By staying on top of high-profile law enforcement actions and maintaining a strong public presence, Abalos appears to be positioning himself as a man of action sans the bloodshed, someone who can get things done—qualities that voters typically seek in a senator.
What Could Derail His Candidacy?
While Abalos’ performance so far has been noteworthy, there are still hurdles he must overcome. His handling of the Teves case will be closely watched. Failing to bring Teves to justice could tarnish his image, especially if the public perceives it as a failure in law enforcement. In a country where corruption is always a key election issue, such a perception could be detrimental to his political ambitions.
There is also the matter of how Abalos handles criticism. While he has thus far managed to avoid major public relations disasters, the pressures of a Senate campaign are vastly different from those of running an executive department. The intense media scrutiny and the need to engage in political debates could test Abalos in ways he has not yet experienced.
The Final Countdown: Will He or Won’t He?
With the deadline for filing the COCs looming, Abalos is in the spotlight. His tenure as DILG Secretary, marked by high-profile arrests like Quiboloy's, has improved his public image, but his political future is unclear. Is he ready for the campaign grind, and does he have the support needed for a Senate bid? He has ads on both TV and online to reach.
The coming weeks are critical for him. If he decides to run, he must craft a compelling narrative around his achievements and counter persistent criticisms from his tenure. He needs to demonstrate his ability to navigate the complexities of national governance.
His upcoming decisions will significantly impact both his career and the country. Regardless of whether he runs or the electorate acknowledges it, Abalos has solidified his status as a key figure in Philippine politics.
Before You Go…
Shout out to all bookworms at the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF)—ongoing until this Sunday!
~Timow