WHEN misbehaving in other countries, you face the consequences of the law.

This time the errant American must have sweet talked immigration with some “sob” story.

Attribute it to a long flight? Nah! Medical condition? I doubt it. [Only if] he can prove he has that condition should he be pardoned, but he should have been sent back to the US for behaving as such. He can send the money for the repairs [to] his wife’s family house from the US anyway.

We shouldn’t tolerate this kind of behavior — even before being formally admitted to the country. What stories can he tell about our hospitality in the
US? He can brag about this in the States that he easily fooled our immigration officers by saying he has this medical condition. Sino ngayon ang nagmukhang tanga? Tayo! Hoy, gising! (Who looks stupid now? We do! Wake up!)

– Edward Javier, Springfield, Virginia

SENATOR Juan Ponce Enrile called his Sigma Rho brods “trainers of thugs and killers.” Former UP prexy Nemenzo, a Sigma Rhoan, condemned the culture of violence cultivated by fraternities. Former Senate president Jovito Salonga threatened to break his ties with Sigma Rho if the latter is proven to be responsible for the death of Cris Mendez.

Yet [Iloilo] Vice Gov. Rolex Suplico, in deadpan fashion, dismissively opined that “there is no concrete evidence that the death of the UP student (Cris Mendez) was caused by the fraternity’s initiation rites.” Such a cold, cold heart.

The vice governor just put his foot where his mouth is.

I AGREE with [Cagayan de Oro] Cong. [Rufus] Rodriguez but there are three points I would like to suggest further:

(1) As pointed out that DA [Department of Agriculture] should not only focus on rice production but also on other high-value crops particularly in Mindanao. Thus DA through BFAR [Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources] should also develop other high-value aquatic crops like abalone and sea cucumber which can be cultured already since the hatchery protocol has been already established

(2) If ever GMA [President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo] would be true to her promise, the budget increase in Mindanao, the absorptive capacity in Mindanao should also be improved. There’s supposedly a lot of money for Mindanao projects from other sources particularly from NGOs but to avail of this is another level of concern, another level of expertise

(3) Regardless [of whether] the Mindanao people can absorb more fundings effectively or not what is more important is the credibility of President GMA’s promise to Mindanao.