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Despite getting one of the coolest prefixes affixed to the best title one can have in this game Shadow and President (Besides Secretary General... sweet hot-dogs, Shadow Secretary General--this needs to happen), it actually has a real purpose of being used this month to describe the executive layout.

Due to idiocy in game mechanics, Myung Kei is guaranteed a second term this month. Myung Kei is too busy for an effective presidency, and did not have plans to run, whereas I was more than ready to pick up the scepter again, so we have worked out an arrangement to actually make this month an effective one, rather than twiddling our thumbs while we remain a single oil region surrounded by shark-infested waters.


This is what the waters around Palawan look like.

Thus, I would like to officially inaugurate the first Shadow Presidency month, where I will be essentially acting with the authority of the President, without getting any in-game recognition.


Actual screenshot from an ancient game called 'Shadow President' that apparently turns the entire continent of Africa into a giant city. You need this in your life.

Thus, all those big points and changes that I pointed out previously are already in the process of being implemented. I look forward to hopefully a very productive month, and a very confusing entry on the wiki trying to explain this month's political situation for the future.


I hope I never have to do this again, because I'm running out of cool images.

President: Hekter
Vice President: Ariel David Buena
Secretary of Finance: Negosyo sa Tao
Secretary of Home Affairs: Revilo X
Secretary of Foreign Affairs: Ariel David Buena
Co-Secretary of Defense: Angelini
Co-Secretary of Defense: Jude Connors

The only real new mix-up is that in order to have a more effective military structure, Jude and Angelini will be sharing the top position. They have been working together excellently thus far, and I hope to say that the AFP will continue to expand on its excellence.



Additionally, we are hoping to re-open the Ministry of Internal Affairs (PIA) and the Ministry of Merriment(MoM).

PIA
Philippines Internal Affairs is essentially a Department of Education, wherein the job is to educate new players on how to play, and giving out some starter food to keep them interested in the game past its extremely boring and rough start. Thread on the forums.

MoM
Essentially, bring Merriment to our lives in here in ePh. Since the previous mysterious MoM has departed until Indielfi becomes President (something I support wholeheartedly), there is no sense in not continuing to use the org for teh lulz. MoM in the past months mostly just lambasted current politicians and politics in a fun fashion, so if you can do that in decent taste, please consider it. Thread on the forums.


It is impossible to not use this image.

In accordance to recommendations from the Department of Finance, we will be making some financial reforms and inroads into two broad things that will hopefully increase efficiency and accountability among the departments.

1. Expense reports. Since each ministry sort of acted on an ad-hoc basis (especially Defense, since for years it was a rampantly unorganized muck that switched hands every couple of months and relied entirely on the Department of Home Affairs) in the past, yet today has seen a much more increased level of organization, it only makes sense to bring spending into line as well. I am not talking about marking down every staple, but we should at least be able to provide some numbers to have an idea what our expenses and income are like, lest we accidentally spend ourselves into oblivion.

2. A general budget. Going off of the first, I would like to see something of a planned idea for spending, again, to not outspend ourselves into a black hole of financial ruin. While this is not particularly likely, and while I personally enjoy the idea of no organized budget for a while, it only makes sense going forward to have some numbers to fall back on. Of course, these will not be rigid, but we should know what we can and cannot spend on a regular basis. If we find out we can spend more, then we can put more money into projects like the PIA and the AFP, while if we find ourselves at a loss, to cut back on nonessentials. This is one of the cornerstones of effective governance.

Here's to a great month, everyone!