AMAZING GRACE
During a speech at a special event for the Philippine Red Cross, President Rodrigo Duterte mentioned that the religious song “Amazing Grace” is usually played during Christian funerals in the US.
Without missing a beat, Mr. Duterte then said in jest that this song may be played for those facing the death penalty either by lethal injection or firing squad.
The President’s joke drew laughter from the audience; but there were some, especially foreign guests, who looked uneasy since the Red Cross is usually associated with medical and life-saving rescue missions.
CONTEMPT FOR MOCHA
The appointment of singer/dancer-turned-celebrity blogger Mocha Uson as assistant secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office has drawn mostly ire and contempt from netizens.
One of them asked if Uson, who’s also a columnist in a national newspaper, is even qualified for the post, while another commented, “Was the President on Fentanyl when he appointed her?”
Still another netizen, noting her role as a Duterte campaign propagandist, said, “Be prepared to be inundated with alternative facts.” But Duterte supporters responded by saying the critics “are simply envious” of her appointment.
OVERSTAYING JEEPNEYS
Those passing by P. del Rosario Street near the University of San Carlos (USC) area have been complaining about the practice of passenger jeepneys of parking along the roadsides to load and unload passengers even during peak hours.
They said the jeepney drivers won’t budge until they unload or have fully loaded their jeepneys with passengers even when traffic congestion is heavy.
Siloy’s pal had to ask if city traffic personnel were too busy conducting traffic to notice this anomaly.