Still Stampin' (Darthphilatelist in Hyper Mode...)

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Opposition Prepares To Impeach Pres. Joseph Estrada

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

October 18, 2000

Opposition lawmakers filed a formal motion on October 18, 2000 to impeach President Joseph Ejercito Estrada for alleged links to gambling lords.

This was the first official step for the opposition's campaign to get Estrada out of office. They accused him of receiving 414 million pesos in payoffs from gambling syndicates operating an illegal numbers game. The President denied the accusations and said he is ready to face an impeachment proceeding.

Under the rules of Congress, any impeachment case must be approved by one-third of the 218-member House of Representatives -- or 72 lawmakers. The Senate then holds a trial and two-thirds of the 22-seat chamber must vote in favor of removing the president from office.

The ruling coalition of Pres. Estrada controls 82 percent of the Lower House seats. In the Senate, a loose alliance of senators support the president, which ensured the defeat of any impeachment action.

On November 13, 2000 an impeachment case was filed against Estrada. House Speaker Manny Villar, who was an ally of the president some weeks ago, fast-tracked the impeachment complaint.

The impeachment suit was brought to the Senate and an impeachment court was formed, with Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. as presiding officer. Estrada pleaded "not guilty".

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

US Pres. George W. Bush Arrives In Manila

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

OCTOBER 18, 2003

George Walker Bush, the 43rd President of the United States arrived in Manila for a state visit and was met by Vice Pres. Teofisto Guingona Jr. and U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Francis Ricciardone.

First Lady Laura Bush along with other staff members were also with him aboard Air Force One.

In Malacañang Palace, Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo greeted the American president, who was given full military honors and a 21-gun salute. Bush was president from January 20, 2001 to January 20, 2009.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy)

Photo credit: georgewbush-whitehouse archives.gov

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

1,095 Stories Of History

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition) has 365 stories, Series 2 also with 365, and the newest which is Series 3 features 365 too. All totaling 1,095 stories from January 1 to December 31.

The first of its kind concept worldwide, and my way of presenting history daily. This for my love of country and philately through Cebu Stamp Club. To God be the glory 🇵🇭🙏

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy)

Dr. Maximo Viola Y Sison

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 3):

October 17, 1857

Maximo Viola y Sison (October 17, 1857 - September 3, 1933), physician, writer, member of the Propaganda Movement, and revolutionary leader, was born on October 17, 1857 to Pedro Viola and Isabel Sison in Barrio Sta. Rita, San Miguel, Bulacan.

He finished his pre-medical studies at the University of Santo Tomas and went to Spain and obtained a medical degree at the University of Barcelona in 1882.

He met Dr. Jose Rizal in Barcelona and became his best friend. They travelled and toured Europe together in 1887 and visited museums, art galleries, restaurants and stayed in hotels in various places in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland. One of the cities they went was Leitmeritz in Austria, the hometown of Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt.

Viola was one of the leaders of the Propaganda Movement. When Rizal needed funds to publish his first book, Noli Me Tangere, he gave Rizal the money that printed 2,000 copies.

He was also supportive of the other members of the Propaganda Movement like Marcelo H. del Pilar, whom he helped financially.

Viola went back to the Philippines and practiced medicine. When the Philippine Revolution broke out, he fought the Spaniards with his two brothers and stayed at Biak-na-bato.

His idealism didn’t sit well with the Americans when they took over the Philippines. Viola was imprisoned at the Malate Military Prison and then at the Olongapo barracks for his refusal to cooperate.

Even as a political prisoner, he continued being a doctor. He was released from prison on condition that he treat American soldiers afflicted with tropical diseases.

He spent his last years with his practice and was known to give pro-bono medical services to the less fortunate.

Viola ventured into furniture making using Kamagong wood and was given an award in an “exposition” in Manila in the year 1920.

He died of cancer on September 3, 1933 in San Miguel. Dr. Maximo Viola was married to Juana Roura Viola and they had 5 children.

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Capt. Rufo C. Romero Arrested

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

October 17, 1940

US Army Captain Rufo C. Romero, a Philippine Scout and West Point graduate, was arrested by US Army authorities on October 17, 1940 for allegedly attempting to sell classified maps of Bataan and Corregidor for $25,000 ($291,000 in 1999) to an individual with Japanese connections.

He was convicted by a General Court Martial on November 25 of conspiring to sell military information, and was sentenced to 15 years at hard labor in McNeil Island penitentiary in Washington State, dishonorably discharged, and with no allowance pays.

Rufo Romero, an illegitimate son of a poor mother in the Philippines, was a brilliant student at the University of the Philippines. He went to West Point where he graduated as 17th in his class in 1931 and married 17-year-old Lorraine Becker from Brooklyn, New York after graduation. He was assigned at Fort Belvoir, Va. for further training.

Capt. Romero was a regimental intelligence and topographic officer for the Philippine Scouts 14th Engineer Regiment.

Since 1910, Japan was already interested in Corregidor and US Army counter-intelligence officers caught individuals in 1910, 1912, 1924 and 1940.

A blueprint of Corregidor was stolen in 1910 and appeared in Calcutta. In 1922, blueprints of Corregidor's fortifications were suspiciously lost but were retrieved from a Japanese agent. A US army private was arrested and charged in 1924 for selling a map of Corregidor.

Romero died in Spain on January 3, 1985.

Photo credit: wikipedia org

Fray Domingo de Salazar's 3-Point Resolution

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

OCTOBER 17, 1581

Fray Domingo de Salazar, the first bishop of the Philippine Islands signed a 3-point resolution for Governor and Captain-General Gonzalo Ronquillo de Peñalosa that concerned a Royal decree on the treatment of slaves by their masters.

Bishop Salazar sealed the letter after a meeting with the Dominican, Jesuit, Augustinian and Franciscan prelates, who affixed their signatures at the St. Augustine Monastery in Tondo.

The prelates emphasized the late King Charles V’s decree that all Indios or Indians discovered or to be discovered should not be allowed to become slaves.

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Monday, October 16, 2023

Terrorist Leaders Neutralized

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 3):

October 16, 2017

Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon and Omarkhayam Maute were killed in action in Marawi City on October 16, 2017.

Hapilon was seen as the Islamic State (IS) group's leader in Southeast Asia. He was among the US list of "most wanted terrorists."

The Philippine Army has been in a battle to dislodge the group since May 2017 after the city was partly held by the insurgents.

Around 300 people died in the gun battle between Philippine forces and the Islamic State-linked Maute group.

Marawi City was seized by the terrorists on May 23, 2017 and 200,000 of the city's residents fled. The attack by Maute and its allies in Mindanao is the biggest warning that the Islamic State is building a base in the region.

Marawi's seizure was the biggest challenge faced by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. On October 17, 2017, the president led rain-soaked troops in Marawi, to celebrate the government victory after the military claimed a major breakthrough as it announced the death of the head of the Islamic State group. "Ladies and gentlemen, I hereby declare Marawi liberated from the terrorists' influence that marks the beginning of the rehabilitation," Pres. Duterte said.

The President commended the military and the police for risking their lives in fighting the terrorists. He led the distribution of groceries, wrist watches, and sunglasses to government troops, and gave them new pistols.

He was joined by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Eduardo Año, Philippine Army Commander Major General Rolando Bautista, Philippine National Police Director-General Ronald dela Rosa, and Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence Go.

Photo credit: wikipedia.org