The Politics of Branding: The Quimbos and Vico Sotto's Approach to Public Projects

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The Quimbo couple, Representative Stella Quimbo and her husband, Miro Quimbo, who served as Marikina 2nd District Representative from 2010 to 2019, have defended the marks displayed on government-funded projects in their district, stating that these symbols are not for self-promotion but evidence of their hard work. The couple argues that these identifiers serve as a reminder of their dedication and contribution to the city. However, critics quickly counter that these projects are funded by taxpayers' money, and thus, the credit for these achievements should go to the people of Marikina, not to the Quimbos themselves.

This issue of "epal" politics, or the self-promotion of public officials through the use of symbols on government projects, has long been a point of contention in the Philippines. The latest controversy involving the Quimbo couple's use of a distinctive "Q" symbol on public works projects has reignited the debate over transparency and the proper attribution of credit for public initiatives.

However, the Quimbos' move is not an isolated case in the political landscape of Marikina. In contrast to the Quimbos' approach, Pasig City's current mayor, Vico Sotto, has notably taken a different stance. Sotto, who rose to prominence in the 2019 elections, has made it a point to distinguish himself from his predecessors, particularly the Eusebio family, who previously dominated Pasig's political scene. The Eusebios were known for using the letter "E" as a symbol to brand their projects and, by extension, to promote their political legacy. Sotto, however, has deliberately avoided using personal branding on public projects, choosing instead to focus on the people of Pasig and the community’s role in the city’s development.

This shift in leadership has brought about a greater sense of transparency, as Sotto emphasizes that government work should not be about personal gain or recognition. His administration has been praised for promoting public service and prioritizing the needs of the constituents, rather than highlighting individual achievements. Unlike his predecessors, Vico Sotto has worked to cultivate an image of humility and accountability, positioning himself as a public servant rather than a self-promoter.

The debate over the Quimbos' symbols highlights a broader issue of how public resources should be used and who should receive credit for projects funded by taxpayer money. While the Quimbos argue that their marks reflect their dedication to Marikina, it is crucial to remember that these projects are made possible by the people who fund them. Ultimately, it is the taxpayers of Marikina who deserve the credit for the improvements in their city, not the officials who were elected to serve them.

This discussion underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in governance. Public officials must remember that they are stewards of taxpayer money, and the recognition should always go to the public rather than to the individuals executing the projects. The case of the Quimbos’ branding serves as a timely reminder of the need for careful consideration of how government resources are used and the impact of political symbolism on the public’s trust.

Meralco's February 2025 Rate Increase: What Consumers Need to Know

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Starting February 2025, Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has announced an increase in electricity rates by P0.2834 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), raising the overall rate to P12.0262 per kWh from P11.7428 per kWh in January. 

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Impact on Residential Bills

This adjustment translates to an additional P57 for households consuming 200 kWh, P85 for 300 kWh, P114 for 400 kWh, and P144 for 500 kWh. 

Primary Factors Behind the Increase

Higher Generation Charges: The generation charge, which typically accounts for at least half of a household’s total power bill, rose by P0.3845 per kWh due to increased costs from Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and Power Supply Agreements (PSAs). 

Independent Power Producers (IPPs): Charges from IPPs increased by P0.8355 per kWh, attributed to:

Lower average plant dispatch.

A weaker peso, affecting 97% of IPP costs.

Higher liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal fees imposed by First Gas Sta. Rita and Sta. Lorenzo. 

Power Supply Agreements (PSAs): Charges from PSAs climbed by P0.0837 per kWh, influenced by the depreciation of the peso, which affected 61% of PSA costs. 

Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM): A decrease of P0.3005 per kWh in WESM charges partially offset the overall rate increase. This decline was due to lower average and peak demand in the Luzon grid, which helped mitigate the impact of increased power plant outages. 

Other Contributing Factors

Transmission Charges: A slight decrease of P0.0013 per kWh was observed, aided by lower ancillary service charges. 

Taxes and Pass-Through Charges: An increase of P0.1289 per kWh was noted, reflecting the impact of higher Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC)-approved universal charges for missionary areas. 

Meralco's Response and Recommendations

Meralco has emphasized the importance of energy efficiency, especially with the upcoming summer months. The company encourages consumers to adopt energy-saving practices to help mitigate the impact of higher electricity rates. 

Looking Ahead

Meralco is also proposing a refund of approximately P19 billion to consumers, following an ERC directive regarding the regulatory reset process. The company plans to implement this refund over 36 months, which could provide some relief to consumers in the future. 

Conclusion

The February 2025 rate increase by Meralco is primarily driven by higher generation charges, particularly from IPPs and PSAs. While this results in increased electricity bills for consumers, understanding the factors behind the hike can help in managing energy consumption more effectively.

The Truth Behind the Party-List System: Who Are They Really Representing?

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The Philippine Party-List System was designed to give marginalized and underrepresented sectors a voice in Congress. However, according to election watchdog Kontra Daya, more than 50% of the party-list groups running in #Eleksyon2025 do not actually represent marginalized sectors.

A closer look at the 156 accredited party-list groups reveals an alarming truth:

✅ 86 groups (55.13%) have no clear connection to any marginalized community.

✅ 40 are linked to political dynasties.

✅ 25 are tied to big businesses.

✅ 18 have ties to the military or police.

✅ 7 have histories of corruption.

✅ 11 have questionable advocacies.

✅ 9 provided insufficient information in their documents submitted to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

A System Hijacked by the Powerful

What was meant to be an instrument for inclusive governance has become a tool for political elites, business tycoons, and other powerful groups to secure seats in Congress. This issue isn't new—in the 2022 elections, Kontra Daya reported that 70% of party-list groups were controlled by political clans or businesses.

Under Republic Act No. 7941 (the Party-List System Act), these groups are supposed to represent sectors such as:

✅ Workers

✅ Farmers

✅ Fisherfolk

✅ Urban poor

✅ Indigenous communities

✅ Women

✅ Youth

✅ Cooperatives

Yet, many of the current party-list groups have no real connection to these communities.

Does Comelec Conduct Background Checks?

In theory, Comelec requires party-list groups to submit:

📌 Their constitution and by-laws

📌 Platform or government programs

📌 List of officials

📌 Other necessary documents

But is Comelec really doing its job in verifying these groups? The fact that a "WiFi Party-list" exists raises eyebrows—since when did WiFi become a marginalized sector?

Former Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon previously pushed for stricter accreditation rules to ensure that only legitimate representatives of marginalized sectors make it to the ballot. Yet, election after election, questionable groups continue to be accredited.

Why Should Voters Care?

Every election, party-list groups win 20% of the seats in the House of Representatives. That means these groups play a crucial role in shaping the country's laws and policies. If these seats are taken over by traditional politicians and big businesses, it defeats the purpose of the party-list system and denies real marginalized communities the representation they deserve.

What Can We Do?

With #Eleksyon2025 fast approaching, it is the responsibility of voters to:

✅ Research the background of party-list groups before voting.

✅ Support genuine party-list groups that truly represent marginalized communities.

✅ Call on Comelec to enforce stricter screening of party-list candidates.

The party-list system was meant to be a tool for social justice and equal representation. It’s time to take it back from those who are exploiting it for their own interests.