The COVID-19 Pandemic

 Since the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the Philippines with the lockdown  for Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) of Luzon on March 16, 2020, there were so many questions people had in mind.  Until when will it be in effect and how will it affect the people in general?  Previous health concerns like SARS and MERS, they were not as serious as the corona virus.  They were addressed within a reasonable time and there was no real concern for a pandemic.

By September of this year, 2020, the pandemic has gone global on its 6th month.   As of this writing, corona virus cases total is 27,062,744 with 883,740 deaths and 19,162,691 recovered.  There are 7,016,313 currently active infected patients, most though are mild cases.  On a daily average, there are around 200,000 to 250,000 new cases.  Asymptomatic cases were not determined until much later when more tests were being done.  It is fortunate that the death rate is quite low at 3.26% only while recovery rate is a high 70.8%.

https://www.facebook.com/WHO/videos/3587151581296427/?t=0

It is sad to note though that there is no foreseeable end or an appreciable drop of Covid-19 infections and cases.  Mass testing could probably be the only way to find out how much of the population has asymptomatic cases that can be responsible for the spread of the virus.

Pres. Marcos, Martial Law and Aquinos

To this date, there are many that believe Pres. Marcos is still the best president the Philippines ever had.  There are still many of us who saw how the Writ of Habeas Corpuz was suspended that eventually turned into Martial Law.  We were then into our second year in college when it happened or was declared.  Many of us were sporting long hair and were scared to go out of our house because the military was after long haired men.  If we were caught, our hairs would be cut and forced to go to a barber to make a clean haircut.

Those were the first abuses of the military and it was the Philippine Constabulary (PC) headed by then Gen. Fidel V. Ramos.  Their reason for doing that is because long haired men are suspected to be Kabataang Makabayan (KM), a leftist arm composed of the youth.  Maybe we can let go of their stupid suspicion.

Pres. Marcos trusted men during martial law were Gen. Fidel V. Ramos, Juan Ponce Enrile and Gen. Fabian Ver.  Among his cronies then were Eduardo Cojuangco, Roberto Benedicto, Jose Campos and some other prominent people who made a fortune during the martial law years.

Of his trusted men, FVR and Enrile were responsible for his overthrow.  The truth behind it will never be known because Marcos is now dead.  There were rumors that the two went against Marcos because they were going to be exposed to have abused martial law.  They went against Marcos claiming the snap elections was rigged and Marcos cheated.  Filipinos then were bent to believe them because they were the trusted lieutenants of Marcos.  Anything Marcos had on them as abusers of martial law would not matter anymore.

After the EDSA revolution, no one bothered on investigating the roles of FVR and Enrile during the martial law years as they were perceived to be the heroes of the overthrow!  Corazon C. Aquino did not bother too as they were instrumental in installing her as the rightful president.  Cory also just settled that the assassination of Ninoy was as what the Agrava board determined.  Her son, B.S. Aquino Jr. who became president did not bother finding out the truth on his father's assassination!  Would a relative be a mastermind?

Anyway, a number of those who experienced the grave abuses of martial law might no longer be around.

For the burial in the Libingan ng mga bayani (LNMB), Ninoy Aquino does not deserve it!  What did he do for the country?  There are evidence that he was linked to the CPP-NPA in destabilizing the country!  As for Marcos, he may not be a hero but he deserves to be buried there as a former president of the Philippines.

Duterte against Drugs, Criminality and Corruption

Since the start of President Rodrigo R. Duterte's campaign, he emphasized on being against drugs, criminality and corruption.  All those are interconnected because drug peddling is a crime and is one main cause of corruption because politicians and police protect the drug lords.  Surely, politicians that protect drug lords got their funding from them.  That is an assurance the drug lords will continue to enjoy their protection IF they win the elections in 2016.

Not for long DU30 started to climb as the favorite candidate for president.  He was considered rude and swore in many instances to emphasize his desire to give Filipinos a better and safer life.  Naysayers and the elite criticized him for that and said he did not deserve to be president of the Philippines.  However, with all that, he became more popular as he was speaking his mind and is down-to-earth.  No fakes.

When criminals like drug lords and their protectors sensed that he was the favorite, they started eliminating people who would point to them.  The guilty did not pull the triggers.  It was a simple as identifying the 'small fish' and ordered their men to eliminate them.  Whoever pulled the trigger did not have any idea because they believed the orders came from their officers, not knowing they were covering their tracks.  How else would those small fry have ended that way if not someone on top knew them?

Duterte did not instruct them to kill those people before he took oath as president.  How could he?  Pnoy was still the president until 12 p.m. of June 30, 2016.  He was still responsible for all those murders and salvaging, whichever it will be.  In short, his pronouncements triggered a spate of killings to cover the tracks of the guilty ones.  Maybe drug lords started eliminating their runners or pushers.  Who, then, told the drug lords to do that?  Simple logic, right?  Their protectors who did not want any strings attached!

The strategic mind of DU30 made things happen even before his 'watch'.  Guilty panicking idiots started reacting even before he took his oath.  The 3 to 6 months Duterte stated to curb illegal drugs, criminality and corruption does not include the months before he took office.  He knew guilty people will be killing each other to cover their tracks even before his term starts.  The guilty panicked and tried to eliminate those who would point to them either as drug lords or protectors.

In the past

The past administration had arrests and raids of big drug 'syndicates'.  It is highly possible and probable that those arrests and raids were to protect drug lords under their wings.  There were no cases known to put those guilty in their proper place.  It could have been easily manipulated to tell those caught to re-direct their 'goods' to the protected drug lords to centralize operations.  With that, everyone gets a 'fair' share of the loot and those caught will have no problem.  They can easily escape and go back to their country of origin.

The country's problem has been handed from earlier politicians down to the recent past administration.  They have spent huge amounts for campaigns that could have been funded by drug lords.  It was simply funneled to those who donated who also got a fair share percentage of the donation.  It does not take complicated math or accounting to do that.

Here's a simple example:  Winners of a huge amount in Lotto or Sweepstakes do not necessarily have to claim from PCSO.  All they need to do is approach moneyed people and sell their winning combination less ten (10) percent or something like that.  That saves the moneyed people from heavy tax (CPAs can tweak it) because they can claim to have won lotto and make campaign donations!  The lotto winner does not care at all as long as the money is their less a little amount.

The present

Currently, the administration is flushing out the evils of government.  This is a clear indication of closing the gap between the "haves and have-not".  President Duterte surely knows where evils in government exist.  For appointing Arnel Ignacio as AVP in PAGCOR, it is with great hope that he finds out how military or PNP people make money as lenders.  They can easily be in cahoots with the bank for casinos.  They prey on gambling addicts.

The Philippines is regionalized and Pres. Duterte might only be able to regulate his appointees or trusted men as what Marcos did.  The mistake of Marcos of trusting people in high positions and abusive military men caused his fall.  One example is, why did the military go after long-haired males?  Most of long-haired males were just for the fad and not subversives!  That is probably one thing that BBM has to justify.

What is the future?

The future does not mean anything to people like me who are in their twilight years.  What matters is what is in the future for our children, grandchildren and succeeding generations.  Duterte is the best change for the Philippines.  No predictions or speculations on what the future will be, but what has shown in the past few days of DU30's administration, the future looks bright.  Hopefully his trusted people in government will not make the same abuses as those that Ferdinand Marcos has trusted.

Was he right about Juan Ponce Enrile and Fidel Ramos?  Tell me.

Crocodile Farm of Palawan

Palawan is a sanctuary to many wildlife that cannot be found elsewhere in the Philippines.  There is a special place called the Crocodile Farm in Puerto Princesa City where both saltwater and fresh water crocodiles are being cared for.  It is open for public viewing where the crocodiles are kept in their own special containment.

The start of viewing them is in small containers starting from baby crocs.  The aisle in the middle divides the several containers where the left side is for fresh water crocodiles and the right side contains the saltwater crocodiles.  The height of the containers is about 4 feet high.  Viewers are discouraged from taking photos with flash on because this can agitate even the baby crocodiles that can cause them to jump out of their cage.

As one progresses to the farther containers, the crocodiles contained in them are older and bigger than those in the first containers.  There are fewer of them in each container because they are larger.

Going to the larger containers that are actually large concrete pits are the adult crocodile.  A walkway above these pits is where the visitors walk to see them from above.  Again from the first pit going to the last pit, the crocodiles in them are larger than the previous pit.  The last two pits contain the largest crocodiles who are solo in their own pits.  The largest in captivity in the farm is one meter shorter than "Lolong", the biggest crocodile on record that was captured captured in the Philippines.

The largest one is a bit larger than the crocodile skeleton enclosed in a glass cage at the entrance to the crocodile tour lobby.  Don't miss to check out the Crocodile Farm of Palawan when you're there.

Typhoon preparedness

People can say that preparedness is something that can be a hedge against a bad situation or incident.  There are many things that we can be prepared for but there's no way to tell what the forces of nature can do.  The Philippines has experienced heavy rainfall from monsoon rains brought about by weak typhoons.  Many were caught unaware of the floods that happened.

The case of super typhoon Yolanda is something that nobody can prepare for except probably evacuate to a place where it will not pass through.  Weathermen say it was not proper to call the storm surge a tsunami.  They failed though to stress that the storm surge will be equal to a tsunami for a super typhoon like this.

The people living in the places where the typhoon passed through were probably prepared for strong winds and rain.  No one told them of what happened around a hundred years ago when their location was hit by a typhoon as strong as Yolanda.  No one had any idea how nature will take its toll.

Would a government call for donations a week or a few days before the storm hit land?  Who would donate something when no one is in need, yet.  Will planes and boats be put on stand-by for rescue and delivery of relief goods?  If ever such a preparation was made and the typhoon suddenly veered or even dissipated, critics now will be laughing at the government for a stupid move, right?

So there is no point in saying there was no preparation.  Even the staunchest critics of government are not even prepared for anything that can happen to their person.  What happened in the areas that the typhoon ravaged is what is referred to as fortuitous event.  Can anyone say what those people should have done?  Can relief operations be conducted at the snap of the fingers?

Read this: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/history-storms-1900s-newspaper-reveals-devastating-leyte-typhoon-134230084.html

Super Typhoon Yolanda's destruction

As far as I can remember, there have been other destructive typhoons that have hit the Philippines of all the times I have been aware of natural calamities.  We were also a victim of one caused by nature which was the July 16, 1990 7.4 earthquake.  There was widespread destruction in our City of Baguio and neighboring provinces.  There was still no internet and advanced cellular phones during those times.

The destruction that super typhoon Yolanda has brought upon in the Visayas region, especially in Leyte, was very devastating.  It wiped out entire towns that were never done by other natural forces of nature.  It wrought havoc that made it impossible to estimate loss of property and lives immediately after a few days.

Super typhoon Yolanda was almost like a giant tornado that was 600 kilometers across compared to only around 150 meters for that of a tornado.  It also traveled across for days unlike a tornado that would dissipate after a few miles.  It was a typhoon and tornado at the same time rolled into one destructive force of nature,

Comparative photos of locations completely destroyed by typhoon Yolanda can be seen at http://cdnimages.abs-cbnnews.com/graphics/others/111313_luntad-leyte.jpg.

New Year's Luck - Filipino Style

Towards the coming of every New Year, Filipinos always look for what would be lucky for them for the coming year.  When Feng Shui became famous, Filipino-Chinese saw the opportunity of making lucky charms out of the practice.  Round objects like coins, fruits and crystals were used in given sets of numbers, said to be lucky.

Prominent TV shows in the Philippines invite people who preach or promote Feng Shui to show viewers what could be or would be lucky for them.  One presenter at the +GMA Unang Hirit show said a door was passive because it is located on the left.  On the left of what?  Then, said that seven (7) coins of various denominations should be kept in a pouch as number 7 is a lucky number.

He proceeded next to the dining table and said there should be a fruit basket that should hold eight (8) round fruits!  Saying 8 is also a lucky number.  (More Chinese, I believe, go for the number 8 as luckier than 7)

It is noticeable that every year, these so called Feng Shui "experts" change what will be needed to prepare for New Year as lucky.  Okay so the Chinese zodiac changes every year - that might be their contention.  The bottom line is, the supposedly 'lucky' things do not make them any more prosperous.

Those who did not have that much luck can ask the "experts" why.  This is where their sales talk comes in.  They will ask for the birth date and time of the unlucky person.  That's when they tell the person he or she needs this and that to get lucky.  For the gullible, they spend or buy more of what the "expert" offers.

Philippine Jeepney public transport

The popular jeepney of the Philippines is a common public transportation all over the country.  The jeepney started as a rear two-row-seater at the back converted from WWII MacArthur type Willy's jeeps.  Only three persons can be seated on each row.  In front, beside the driver, two passengers can be accommodated.
 
Two known manufacturers, Sarao and Francisco Motors, started making longer jeepneys that have either 10 or 12-seaters in the mid-1950s.  This meant larger income from more passengers in a single trip.  Some small motor shops followed suit fabricating longer jeepneys and one big automaker started making the Asian Utility Vehicle (AUV), the Ford Fiera.

From thereon, other major automotive makers joined a government program, Progressive Car Manufacturing Program (PCMP), to manufacture vehicles with high local content.  AUVs were easier and cheaper to manufacture than sedans that started in the mid 1970s.  The passenger capacity of jeepneys were just alright between 12 to 14 passengers.

Now 16 to 20-passengers, or even more, dominate the jeepney transportation lines.  Paying for your fare and getting your change from the driver, passes from one hand to another especially for those who are seated near the entrance.  The sickening thing about having so many "seaters", the jeepney does not leave its terminal until it's full. For jeepneys without terminals, they make frequent stops at loading areas to take on more passengers.  What happens with this is a short trip takes much longer time because of that.

The government, DOTC, are able to regulate taxi cabs' passenger capacity.  But why can't they do this with jeepneys?  Because the top government officials do not ride jeepneys and they don't even bother to take a look at what's happening.  

Philippine Banks & banking laws

Banks are mostly recognized for their roles in a country's economy just like in the Philippines.  It seems that banks all over the world are concerned about loans that are unpaid and go relentlessly after those who owe them.  But, and that is a big but, if they are closed down for mismanagement and inappropriate banking practices, depositors who go after them will have to bear months to know if they can get their money back!

Not only that, the stupid Philippine government does not have anything in its laws to protect the employees of those closed banks!  The rank and file employees simply get a severance pay of one month or a little bit more.  They become jobless after several years of service expecting to retire.  Yes, what about employees who are about to retire in 5 years or less?  The Bangko Sentral and the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) just stick their tongue to them, as if saying "that's what you get for having imbecile employers!"

Employment in the Philippines is still as bad as it was before.  There's very little chance for employees of closed banks to get another job a.s.a.p.  What about those who are about to retire?  They have lost almost everything and would hardly be employed again!  Executives of the closed banks have no worry as they get paid by hiding their bank's secrets and even get employed with sister companies of the banks.

This is one thing that Congress and Senate have to consider because those banks have laundered money that should be take home pays or retirement benefits of their employees!

Oil prospects claimed by China is offered up by Philippines

Finally the Philippine government has done something wise about the claims of China.  It has offered out the oil prospects claimed by China that is within the territorial waters of the Philippines.  Oil exploration here would be done by foreign oil exploration companies because hardly any local company could do it.  If China interferes or harasses these companies they will have to deal with the country of these nationalities.

The countries of these nationalities will defend them and the Philippines. The exploration is well within the territorial limits of the Philippines, recognized and accepted by the companies' countries.  Should China meddle with their exploration and threaten them, it would obviously be an aggressive act against those nationalities provoking their countries and the Philippines.

Heavy rains, Typhoon & suspension of classes

The Philippines is said to be hit by at least 20 typhoons every year.  Stupidly, school year starts on the onset of the rainy season right after summer.  The idiotic Dept. of Education does not change the start of the school year even it is obvious that rains and typhoons will cause suspension of classes.


Okay, so school starts and students are informed that classes will be suspended for high school and lower levels for typhoon signal number 2.  All school level classes are suspended when it is typhoon signal number 3.  For or during heavy rains, it depends on the schools to suspend classes.  Does the government think that college students are immune to the weather at typhoon signal number 2?  We have been students and it is very uncomfortable to attend classes when you are all wet or even when just your shoes are soaking wet!

Can anyone from PAG-ASA or DepEd rationalize the selective suspension of classes at different school levels for those typhoon signals?  Do not reason out that older, taller or more mature people can protect themselves better from inclement weather.  This is a very simple issue that can easily be resolved.  Why make it difficult for Filipinos?  Don't also excuse that it has been a "tradition" because it is one tradition that makes things bad for children going to school.  This is one government stupidity that makes the Philippines having no logic in addressing issues.

World's largest- the Philippine Crocodile -

Bonuan Bangus of Pangasinan

The Milkfish known as Bangus in the Philippines is hardly, or not even mentioned among the species of fish for food in international cookbooks.  Of course, that's aside from those authored by Filipinos. The most delicious of this kind of fish comes from Pangasinan and is referred to as Bonuan Bangus.  Once one has tasted this bangus, it will be hard to savor any other bangus that come from other places.  It can be cooked in different ways and still retain its delicious flavor.  A favorite recipe for this fish is inihaw (grilled) stuffed with minced tomatoes and onions.  The Bonuan Bangus is one that you can easily tell apart from other bangus with the taste of its stomach fat alone.

The Bonuan Bangus are raised in ponds called "palaisdaan" from their fingerling size.  When the fish reach the size of one foot or larger, they are harvested and sold at the market.  There is no reference why it was called Milkfish but this could be the reason as their size at one foot or so is too young against the size of a full-sized adult bangus that could grow to six (6) feet.

I have tasted the adult bangus and it does not have any flavor even close to that of its young.  The flesh is tough and has many tendon or muscle-like meat around it.

Using the name of God

The Philippines has a predominantly Catholic population.  Many are, on a personal view, are 'overly' religious to the point that anything that happens or occurs, they attribute to God.  A good example is when some relative or friend survives from an accident or disease, the common statement you hear from their circles is "God is good" or "God is really good".  Taken as it is, it seems alright and very religious in a sense.


But, thinking about it more deeply or what others could term as outside-the-box, it could mean that God was only good to them but not to others who perished in similar accidents!  Winners in contests and games are often those who use the the phrase 'God is good'.  Understanding it well could easily mean that God was not good to the losers!  In short, it could only be taken into context that God is only good to the winners (who are only a few) and not good to the losers who are more in number!

I believe in a God much differently from how others believe their God.  I am not also a religious type of person who professes his faith to look good.  In such circumstances, I would rather say, God has his intentions or plans.  Or, maybe God has another purpose for the turn of events whether it be pleasant or not.

China greed at Scarborough Shoal

When China was not yet "commercialized", so to speak, their only concern was to promote their communism within their country.  Nothing really much about claiming ownership of whatever, outside their country.  Now they map the entire South China sea as theirs and their territory including the Scarborough Shoal, which just a little over a hundred kilometers away from the Philippine coast.  Would there be no more international waters anymore at the South China sea?


What if a Filipino or some Filipinos claim that their ancestors too have discovered a part of China, are they willing to leave or give out that area?  History also might have it that Chinese were in the Philippines much earlier than the Spanish and Portuguese, why didn't or don't they lay claim on the Philippines now?  Communist Chinese government officials' thinking are so absurd and ridiculous.  They might make a "Tiananmen Square massacre" at the Scarborough Shoal if the Philippine Coast boats stand their ground there!

Pinoys executed in China

Three Filipinos, Ramon Credo, Sally Ordinario-Villanueva and Elizabeth Batain executed in China , Wednesday, March 30, 2011, for possession of illegal drugs and suspected drug trafficking.  One of them plead guilty while the others seemed to be innocent victims of drug syndicates.  The laws of China are stirct and there was no way to save them from their fate inspite of the Philippine goverments pleas and requests.  The glimmer of making big money with least effort is simply too attractive to ignore, especially for those who are in a financial fit.

Looking at the Philippine situation when it comes to possession of illegal drugs, manufacture of it and drug trafficking, offenders are no longer worried of death  penalty when caught.  Anti-narcotics agents frequently arrest Chinese nationals for those offenses but I can't recall any instance that China interceded in their behalf and there is a reason on why.

The Filipinos go abroad to work abroad or try to find a decent one.  The Chinese nationals that are arrested because of illegal drug offenses in the Philippines are actually in the country for that purpose!  A good majority of them are not documented!

Some Filipinos abroad are forced into something illegal when in tight situations.  There is a saying in the country, "Ang taong gipit ay kuma-kapit kahit sa patalim" (A person in a tight situation will even hold on to a knifes blade).

Note:  They were all arrested separately in December 2008.  If the Philippines investigated they might have found out the syndicate and not wait for the last minute to appeal! 

Update:  Mapet Cortez a.k.a. Tita Cacayan recruiter of Sally Ordinario-Villanueva reportedly submitted herself to the NBI for investigation as she allegedly could not take in her conscience on what happened.  Why come out only now when the poor victim is already dead?

A short history: Raiders of the Sulu Seas - History Channel

The History channel showed a documentary about what was claimed then as pirates of the Sulu seas from Mindanao, Philippines.  The documentary was on how these raiders were actually plying their trade before and during the Spanish colonization of the Philippines.  This bit of history would not have been taught and learned from Philippine history subjects in school.

The Spanish established their colony on the southern tip of Mindanao in Zamboanga.  Fort Pilar was constructed with ten (10) meter-high wall fortification all around. This was the base of the Spaniards to facilitate their trade.  Zamboanga is very close to Basilan, the Tawi-tawi and Sulu group of islands and the Maguindanao area where there we three different tribes of seafaring Filipino Muslims.  The three tribes were known as Balangingi-Samal, Ilanuns and Sultanate of Sulu, all which were employing Taosogs who were excellent warriors.

http://www.zamboanga.com/arts_and_culture/Icelle_raiders_of_sulu.htm

The three tribes are not really pirates during the times they were plying their trade of capturing people and selling them as slaves.  Slave trading was a business then and they were not raiding ships in high seas.  What they did was go and land in different shores posing as fishermen.  Without any warning, draw their 1-meter long swords and take as many slaves as they can.  Once captured, the slaves’ palms are punctured and tied to each other. The slaves are loaded in their 25 to 27 meter by 6 meter boats that has 30 to 34 oarsmen and sails.  It was said that their boats were the fastest that Spanish Galleons could not even give chase.

The History documentary was actually focusing on how the tribes were able to organize a flotilla of a hundred ships or more with more than 3,000 men.  This happened when the three tribes connived to raid Fort Pilar.  The Spanish were stricken with fear upon seeing the number of boats and the army they were to face.

How were the hundred or more boats gathered?  Well, the three tribes had some sort of a pact on how to go about their business and employing Taosogs as their warriors.  One tribe could set out to sea with a few boats then drop-by each of the several bases of the tribes along the shores.  They would call upon all available seafarers to join the expedition.  As they go along, their numbers grow.

The slavery trade of the three tribes ended only when the Spaniards ordered three steamboats from England.  The steamboats were faster, easier to navigate and had various armaments to take on the tribes.  Spaniards were now able to chase and follow the boats to their bases and conduct raids.  It was said that the conflict between the tribes and the Spaniards did not stem from business or trade but was more on belief, religious belief.

Party Lists for May 2010 Elections

This is a current issue about the coming elections in the Philippines in May of 2010.  I have heard of the Party Lists and I never thought much about them until I was approached by a close friend whose brother-in-law is running under a party list.  There were other friends that previously ran for a Congressional seat under a party list and only solicited help by word-of-mouth as they were well funded.  In this one, I did a search on the internet about party lists because this was in particular for an indigenous party list.  One that came on top of the search is the Katribu Party List based in the same province I am in.
In the first part of their article "Progressive indigenous party list submits list of nominees, exposes dubious rivals" was an introduction of their nominees.  Immediately below were their suspicions on other indigenous party lists.  Very prominent were suspicions on those running that hold current positions in the government.  They were quick to mention that this is another ploy of the Gloria Arroyo Administration.
One party list they suspect is the "Agapay Indigenous Peoples Rights Alliance (A-IPRA)", where the lead nominee is Eugenio "Kenny" Insigne.  Kenny, who is known to me, rose from the ranks with different administrations.  He is a commissioner of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).  In getting to that position his intention is clear - to help indigenous people.  There are many positions in the National government, and if I were in his place being a lawyer, I would not chose that.
With the outgoing administration, chances are he might not hold that position for long after another takes over.  The only way he sees to continue helping indigenous people is to get elected under the same "field" he is in.  It is with much regret that hard-hitting indigenous party list is doing this to him, when he actually also has his roots in our city and province!  The nominees of that party list obviously have personal interests in running for a seat if they know that Kenny's roots is also in our city.  If they did not know, they should have researched a little and probably invited him to be among the nominees in their list.  In his current government, the position addresses the concern is on a nationwide scope.  The other party list can only truly represent their locality.  Doesn't that look selfish for a party list?