Manila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – It’s been almost eight months since the deadliest typhoon on record hit the Philippines, leaving more than 6,000 dead and hundreds of thousands homeless.

Victims of Haiyan (Yolanda) are still struggling to put the pieces of their lives back together. Despite billions of pesos in international aid, many remain without roofs over their heads.

Meanwhile, in the nation’s capital, the government has unveiled a prototype jail cell for senators, congressmen, administration officials and others indicted or soon to be indicted in the 10 Billion-peso pork barrel scandal. Construction of these jail cells has reached fever pitch this week as the first two indicted senators surrendered to authorities – Senators Bong Revilla, Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada. A third senator, Juan Ponce Enrile, is expected to be issued a warrant of arrest shortly.

A ‘secret list’ of many other politicians implicated in the case is being held by the Justice Department. Investigations are ongoing.

The prototype cell comes with a comfy single bed with down mattress, a koa wood nightstand, bright blue drapes, sheets and pillow case imported from Saks Fifth Avenue in New York, a wall-mounted HDTV and an airconditioning unit.  The window has no iron bars and looks out into either the parking lot or a courtyard. For security reasons, authorities did not show reporters the inside of the bathroom.  Some speculated that it comes with a full shower and mini-jacuzzi.

The prototype cell was designed by a famous San Francisco-based Filipino American, Michael Martin Navarette Bello. Interviewed by The Adobo Chronicles, Bello said, “For the record, I had to adhere to very strict low budget guidelines and had in mind that the convicts were going to be there for life that is why it had a hospital feel.”