[...] « Disappointing SC denial of MOAtions for reconsideration News Channel: Keeping conversation going [...]

[...] News # Sports # Showbiz and Style # Technology # Business # Opinion # Global Nation [...]

ESTRADA ON IMPEACHMENT
Admin solons ‘embarrassment’ to House

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20081126-174535/Admin-solons-embarrassment-to-House

“They [administration congressmen in the House justice committee] have failed in their duty as representatives of the Filipino people. “These congressmen who have chosen to take the side of injustice are an embarrassment to the House of Representatives,” Joseph Estrada said in a statement.

How true but that is insignificantly less than what he as president had done.

What is worse is the embarrassment Erap caused the nation for the corruption he committed while president that led to his conviction. He should have committed the suicide ritual of sepukku or hara kiri practiced by the Japanese because he has brought shame and dishonor to himself and to his country. The nerve of this guy to moralize.

IMPEACHMENT PROPRONENTS: FIGHT NOT OVER

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20081126-174529/Impeachment-proponents-Fight-not-over

Four successive attempts all ended in failure. The anti-GMA should have learned by now the futility of removing GMA by impeachment. It will never work for as long as the House is allied with Malacanang. Neither can the opposition gather enough mass support to sympathize with them over the junking of their impeachment petition and draw mass public action to force GMA to step down.

Notwithstanding GMA’s unpopularity, there still is the obvious lack of public empathy to support the opposition’s quest to bring down GMA. People have more sense to understand that GMA has got the House allied to her and now the Senate too, which makes it doubly difficult to impeach her and she has only year and a half in office left, and anything else short of a violent attempt to remove her is an exercise in futility.

People would rather collate all the charges against her, strengthen them with documentary evidence, and charge her in the Sandiganbayan as was done with Erap when she steps down in June 2010.

But why do the opposition lack public support and unable to draw people to their side in spite of sharing the same intensity of disapproval of GMA? Firstly, people have learned enough about impeachment. It is not a justice process but political because it tries to remove a leader based on public opinion instead of documentary evidence to prove guilt. Politicians go for it for self-image enhancement. It is even a source of corrupt practices because political favors or bribery may have been done in exchange for favorable results.

Moreover, people resent it when they see the good guys in the opposition are seen as associated with the bad guys. The well-meaning guys like the Black & White Movement and the religious are seen closely associated with the leftist communist party list in the House and NGOs with links to the NPA, some frustrated military adventurists and the Erap boys who have political agenda other than removing a perceived corrupt president. Even the popular President Cory has suffered some negative points when she stepped on that public stage in Makati jointly with Erap in a public demo. To the more concerned such association does not work anymore.

True Edsa 1 was a blend of different political colors, the rightists, leftists, centrists and extremists that got together to fight a common foe, but that experience brought forth the reality of the political plans of the right, the left and the extremists that do not conform to democratic processes. People know that now and do not want to have anything to do with any of them.

On “Bishop hits Arroyo-Christ analogy”

I wonder why there is such big reaction from religious group regarding the comparison. When religion is touched, they are very sensitive and would cry foul and demand respect for religious matter. Yet they have no qualms in involving themselves in politics. The comparison may be inappropriate as they may say but I think, Cebu Rep. Pablo Garcia Sr., was able to hit a point with his comparison– opinion survey is just but that, an opinion survey – there should be other ways to make a sound decision. Our Lord Jesus used parables to prove his point, after all. He also had a description of those would try to appear upright in front of others – hypocrites…

The series of political events from the Bolante testimonies to the capture of the Dacer-Corbito double murder suspects, from the ousting of Villar and the launching of JDV’s autobiography, are all reminders that we live in very interesting times. Yet nothing is more revolting than the pronouncements of 2 militant bishops, Iniguez and Tobias, about their openness for extra-legal means to be undertaken to oust President Arroyo.

Nothing could be more irresponsible, more ill-discerned, and more ill-advised than entertaining another attempt at EDSA-style people power, without the more urgent and foundational proffer of solution to structural problems of corruption in all layers of government, society, and religious life.

Another bishop suggested that we should take the cue from Thai citizens who are more politically aware than us. Little did the bishop understand that what is happening in Thailand, blockading airports and stranding tourists, is the result of a minority group of intellectuals who want to disenfranchise the large will of the rural majority.

If there is any consolation about the many scandals being exposed, it is the fact that democracy is alive in our country and the media is as free as it could be to expose these alleged anomalies. But any insinuation that we should resort to extra-legal means must be condemned in the strongest possible terms by any self respecting Filipino.

The anti-impeachment, perpetually anti-Arroyo, and anti-government forces must be well-advised to train their sights on the 2010 elections, as Americans did in the the 2008 elections, when we could peacefully register the people’s sovereign will toward lasting and meaningful change while we strengthen the stability of democratic institutions.

INDIAN GENERAL CLAIMS MUMBAI ATTACKERS FROM PAKISTAN

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20081127-174783/Mumbai-attackers-from-Pakistan–general

I hope this Indian general has the facts to prove his claim. The charge is highly volatile when you consider that both countries have nuclear capability to hurl at each other. The Mumbai attacks allegedly by Islamist terrorists based in Pakistan would surely provoke India to retaliate. Any attempt at reprisal by India will not be tolerated by Pakistan and further act of aggression could lead to serious confrontation. And before nuclear conflagration wipes out both countries the newly minted US President Obama will be dragged into the conflict whether he likes it or not.

The world’s chief of police Obama cannot afford a nuclear confrontation even from far away across the globe. It is for the same reason that America is strongly against arming Iran with nuclear capability it can use against Israel.

The attacks demonstrate the security lapses of India for its failure to monitor the little known terrorists Deccan Mujahedeen operating within.

The Mumbai attacks should serve lessons to our own national security to be on their toes at all times. Militant groups are actively operating in the country. Only a tight security and very good intel network can neutralize them.

I liken these unknown militants who used the two five-star Mumbai hotels to stage their brand of chaos to the little known Magdalo group led by Trillanes who also staged theirs at the high class Oakwood suites and Manila Pen in Makati. The only difference is that the successful Mumbai attackers were prepared to die for what they were fighting for while the Magdalo were not and their quest ended in failure even before the battle could begin.

PNP: MUMBAI SCENARIO UNLIKELY HERE

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20081127-174740/PNP-Mumbai-scenario-unlikely-here

Don’t be too sure of that General. It takes only one unguarded moment in a security lapse and hell will break loose.

In the Mumbai attacks, the Indian government pointed to perpetrators coming from outside, possibly referring to Pakistan.

If Pakistan is involved in any way in the recent incidents, the real culprit should be the U.K. government that subdivided the Indian subcontinent into India and East-West Pakistan before granting independence to that region.

The western colonial powers never relinquished their policy of divide-and-conquer.

CPP CONDEMS MUMBAI ATTACKS

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20081128-174980/CPP-condemns-Mumbai-attacks

The local antiquated communist party linked to the leftist party list group finds the Islamic terrorists Mumbai attacks deplorable. This hypocritical empty overture is self-serving and they in fact contradict what their own action group, the NPAs, is doing.

They are as guilty as the Mumbai attackers for the senseless murder of innocent civilians. The so-called leftist party list are linked to the CPP-NPA who are equally guilty for committing wanton killings and extortions on helpless civilians and private business in the countryside, pillaging, burning and destroying trucks, agricultural implements, communications and field equipment and terrorize people with violent threats if their extortion demands are not met.

The CPP-NPA and communist sympathizers in Congress are no freedom fighters in defense of democracy. A freedom fighter becomes a cold-blooded ruthless terrorist when he kills innocent civilians. They must be wiped out.

BISHOP: SOME SOLONS ‘FOR SALE’

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingneBishop: Some solons ‘for sale’ ws/nation/view/20081128-174981/Bishop-Some-solons-for-sale

The bishop moralizes in saying some members of Congress should not be trusted to amend the Constitution because they have no principles and can be bought off.

The bishop has the right to talk about moral principles except that the problem with this statement is it is coming from a group whose credibility has been tarnished and mortally damaged by moral issues inflicted on itself by its own members involving a crime of global proportions on pedophilic immorality.

Some bishops have gone overboard when they group together with leftist communists group and the convicted plunderer’s crowd and incite people to rebel. It is best that the bishops observe strictly the constitutional restriction on the separation of Church and State and instead work hard on what they are primarily tasked to do which is for the salvation of sinners.

Politics is best left to the politicians and let the people take care of the problems because they know best how to handle the situation without prodding from the bishops.

Understand that people can only take so much abuse and will react appropriately with whatever action has to be done.

BISHOP: SOME SOLONS ‘FOR SALE’

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20081128-174981/Bishop-Some-solons-for-sale

The bishop moralizes in saying some members of Congress should not be trusted to amend the Constitution because they have no principles and can be bought off.

The bishop has the right to talk about moral principles except that the problem with this statement is it is coming from a group whose credibility has been tarnished and mortally damaged by moral issues inflicted on itself by its members involving a crime of global proportions on pedophilic immorality.

Some bishops have gone overboard and lost some degree of respect when they group together with leftist communists group and the convicted plunderer’s crowd and incite people to rebel.

It is best that the bishops observe strictly the constitutional restriction on the separation of Church and State and instead work hard on what they are primarily tasked to do which is for the salvation of sinners.

Re: Protect labor, forget Cha-cha, GMA told
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view_article.php?article_id=175303

“About 400 members of the Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL) vowed to fight Charter change and push for policy reforms to protect workers’ rights amidst a global economic crisis.”

No way that anyone can fight whatever change Arroyo-regime wants to do because the court and the house are for sale. The only way to fight against this regime and the charter change is to bring in People Power. Philippines is the first country or nation to show the world the meaning of People Power (aka EDSA revolution). Where it is now? Everyone talks that they will fight but they can’t. They are being blocked? Thailanders are doing the real power by the people and I wonder where is the power of the Filipinos now? Scared? Immune? I dont think Filipinos are scare or immune but they are not sure who trust or put into power if they make a power movement again. I say, put the Senate President as acting president until 2010 election only. Remove Arroyo regime. No to charter change… at all! Never, none, nada!

LP pushes constitutional convention…

The LP is pushing for same dog but with their collar.
Con Ass and ConCon are the same only different systems but for political reforms.
In time of global crisis, everybody is in austerity period, tight in cash and tight in expenditures, budget constraint.
Electing delegates to ConConvention will cost billion of pesos, while ConAss is expense free, just convert the present congress to Constitutional Assembly.
Why have ConCon while a few provision is needed to amend… that’s nonsense.
Let’s have ConAss than ConCon…better an asshole than conartists.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20081202-175573/Going-gone-Mr-Go-throws-in-the-towel

It is very sad to know that corruption has not only infected our educators but has grown on every facet of Filipino society and psyche.

Our people have been desynthesized by the hardship in life every Filipino encounters every day. Most people will justify their knowing or involvement in petty or big time corruption by way of survival, common practice, “status quo” and other bull. What is lost in these arguments is the irreparable damage it causes on our collective psyche as a people and as a nation.

Nowhere is this more emphasized by the insistence of our honorable congressmen who threw out 3 impeachment complaints against Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The effects are aplenty to mention but the most visible is the desire of everybody to leave the country in search of a better life in a foreign land. It is plain hopelessness. And the very reason why Mr. Go is throwing in the towel.

What is even more appalling is that the very same crooks we abhor are being enshrined in our society as honorable!

The question now is how can we help Mr. Go continue his laudable fight? I hope you could forward this to Mr. Go so I could help or at least lift his spirits.

BANGKOK CRISIS
Palace exec denies ‘immature’ comment

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20081203-175832/Palace-exec-denies-immature-comment

Malacanang spokesman Anthony Golez denies having said Thais are politically immature. I will grant him the benefit of the doubt knowing how media often assume too much.

It’s not hard to imagine media could have assumed Golez was making comparison of Filipinos with the Thais when he said that and took his statement to mean that Thais are therefore politically immature.

Suggest media should produce TV footages on the interview and if media made this assumption they should be the one to apologize to the Thai ambassador.

Indeed I will try to keep the conversation going. I’ve just read the article of your reporter, Noel Adlai O Velasco reporting about the Filipino workers’ “brush” with Thai protesters, adding that they come from “impoverished Mindanao”. Oh, really, “impoverished”/ For starters why does he have to TALK DOWN MINDANAO?
Why keep on and on about it, forever attaching that word “impoverished” or “Muslim Mindanao…” This is just the sort of reporter who doesn’t seem to realise the insult Mindanao seems to be getting most of the time. In the first instance, it is not impoverished. The Mindanao region is bustling, economies of the cities are doing quite well, it is monumentally rich in natural resources, and for this non-thinking reporter to say what he sys without even thinking, sadly, this reporting of tagging Mindanao all the time is downright ignorant. Just when Mindanao is doing the right thing, the focus of this reporter hasn’t changed in
his treatment of this wealthy region. If journalists like him keep talking down Mindanao, then how on earth would you be able to talk it up? Also, how important was it for Mr Velasco to attach the word,
“impoverished”? Has he travelled up and down Mindanao? When was the last time he was there? Why the blanket tagging of this rveryn rich region? Unless he is ignorant of Mindanao, and his basis of judging this wealthy region has to do with
some “Muslim troubles”, then he must think again before doing blanket assessment. This is very true of many journalists from the north, how they love to tag it as “Muslim Mindanao”. First of all, it is not, second, only a few provinces which one could count in one hand are they Muslim. Exaggeration paves the way for more ignorance and trouble. Please, Mr Velasco, if you want to fill your one-page article, there’s no need to be paronising and tagging that rich region the way you do. No doubt, you are not a good candidate to promote Mindanao, let alone the Philippines.

NPA KILLED 94 CIVILIANS THIS YEAR — GOV’T

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20081205-176321/NPA-killed-94-civilians-this-year–govt

These were innocent people victims of NPA extortions, robbery and other atrocities. They were not even combatants or fighting the NPAs. Their only offense is they did not sympathisize with the enemy of the state.

I would like to hear what the human rightists have to say about that. And most of all, I’d like to hear from the communist party list group of Satur, Casino, et al who are always whining about military abuses committed against their member sympathizers of NPAs.

MANNY PACQUIAO could not explain how he could have lost 4 lbs. without doing anything just hours before the final official weight in which his weight showed at 142 lbs. and Oscar de la Hoya on the nose at 146.

Just a few hours ago Manny took the scales to check his weight which showed he was 146. If Manny lost 4 lbs at 142 and Oscar using the same scale is at 146 flat could it be possible Oscar could have been at 150 lbs? Did someone tinker with the scales to make that happen? When you consider a penalty of 3 million dollars for every pound over 146, anything becomes suspect. Hmmm.

JPE DEFENDS COPS IN PARANAQUE SHOOTOUT

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view_article.php?article_id=176898

The name of the game in a gun battle is survival and if there are civilian casualties, then “it’s just too bad,” says Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.

JPE may be right in saying this, that is of course if the rules of engagement is followed. I wonder how he would react if that little girl who was shot allegedly mstakenly by cops were his daugher.

What is wrong is when a moving vehicle is riddled with shots on the ASSUMPTION people inside it were the holduppers. You do not shoot a moving vehicle unless you are sure those on board are the holduppers.

You are not supposed to shoot at any one unless you are absolutely sure of your target. This is basically what the rules of engagement is all about in order to avoid victims of mistaken identity.

Some accounts of the incident say the vehicle ridden by the slain father and daughter was mistaken to be the get-away car of the holduppers and without even hesitating to wonder who the hell was on board sprayed the car with bullets. Now tell me if that’s part of the rules of engagement.

In countries like the US, cops do not shoot fleeing criminals so as not to provoke them into a gunbattle and hurt innocent civilians. Criminals may escape but cannot hide from the long arm of the law is what responsible cops always say but obviously that is not followed by the local cops in spite of the so-called rules of engagement. Why? Because it happens all the time.

The Paranaque incident is not the first to happen and won’t be the last either. Many of our cops are just trigger happy. Pity that woman who just lost her husband and seven year old only child.

Sure, I appreciate the cops for wiping out all the bad guys, but it would have been better if some had escaped which they can catch later if only to save innocent lives.

SLAIN TOLLWAY MAN HAD POWDER BURNS

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view/20081211-177301/Slain-tollway-man-had-powder-burns

i’m hardly surprised an innocent victim of indiscriminate shooting is identified by the cops as one of the suspects. Why? Because it’s hard to justify killing an innocent man due to mistaken identity. So by paraffin test traces of gun powder will prove the man was one of the holduppers. But is the test conclusive? No, it is not. And I hope the cops will not insist.
Why? Because paraffin test has been abandoned years ago even long before high tech crime tests were introduced.

Nitrates are produced by gunpowder that will show on the hand of a shooter but the substance are also found in chemicals and food even in sticks of matches that anyone may have used even without firing a gun. Consequently, as early as the mid 60s the world’s criminal investigation authorities have stopped using the paraffin test as basis for prosecution.

The present high tech method used by CSI’s is by electron microscopy that scans gunshot residues on the hand of the shooter. Another is by using neutron activation analysis and atomic spectroscopy.

It is bad enough when an innocent man is accidentally killed. But it is worse if the cops accuse the man of being a holdupper when in truth and in fact he was not and used only to cover up the mistakes committed by some cops.

The SOP is to shoot at the enemy only when his life is on danger. JPE said that. So what happened was to shoot first at the father and daughter who must be fully armed to the teeth. They expected recognition emulating those who protected themselves and also sprayed at the father and daughter tandem at the Araneta Ave a while back. What counts is always the body count. There cant be any intelligence failure with so much intelligence money to go around and even changed into euros.

Heard of that US governor Son-o-vitch or what is his name? Reminds me of our governors and mayors who would set up barricades. Do we call those containers at Mendiola and Avilles barricades, too?

RAGE VS. ARROYO, CHARTER CHANGE

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20081213-177739/Rage-vs-Arroyo-Charter-change

Rage of 89 million Filipinos or just 7 thousand Metro Manila folks? When you consider that GMA is supposed to be the most unpopular president according to SWS surveys and the anti-Chacha protest in Makati was supposed to be a joint national effort of the combined anti-GMA and anti-Chacha forces, surely one would expect the magnitude of crowd in attendance should be a respectable 50 thousand or so people and collaborative action nationwide but certainly not a measly 7,000 only. Why such a dismal show of force?

Obviously concerns have turned to apathy when people would rather stay home than be seen with the gathering of leftist communists, the religious, the scorned Erap group and the presidential and VP wannabes who are the most angered by any form of charter change for fear GMA’s allies might pull a term extension that would ruin their plans to run in 2010.

LACSON: AIDES FORCED TO NAME ME

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20081215-178014/Lacson-Aides-forced-to-name-me

Sen. Ping Lacson is busy as a bee trying to clear his name in an effort to remove his being linked to the Dacer-Corbito double murder. Dacer was abducted while on his way with his driver to meet and give FVR some incriminating documents against Erap at the height of his impending impeachment in November 2000. No matter how much Lacson tries to unlink himself he cannot. Because everyone connected to the slaying was linked directly to him as they were men who served under him in the PNP PAOCTF and were province mates from Cavite where the slaying took place and where the burned bodies of the murdered victims were later discovered. The only way for Lacson to clear his name is through the court of law. Let the judicial process prove his innocence.

SEN. PING LACSON WANTS TELECONFERENCING FOR JAILED SEN. TRILLANES

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20081215-178018/Virtual-seatmate-for-Sen-Arroyo-pushed

In fairness to 11 million who voted for Trillanes, Lacson suggests to allow the detained senator to participate in senate deliberations by means of teleconferencing from his prison cell.

Lacson talks about being fair. If that is the case, what about the 34 million voters who did not vote for him because they felt Trillanes had committed a criminal act and did not deserve to be in the Senate? Don’t their sentiments deserve some respect too?

SABAH ISSUE DEAD, SAYS MALAYSIAN EXEC

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/news/view/20081215-178060/Sabah-issue-dead-says-Malaysian-exec

The Sabah issue is not dead and will not be dead for as long as the Philippine government has not surrendered its rights to it over to Malaysia. Sabah is under lease by the Sultanate of Sulu which Malaysia recognizes to this day. It remains part of the Philippine territory no matter what people residing in Sabah who desire it to be part of Malaysia want it to be. The least the Philippine government can do in this respect is to insist on a joint Malaysian-Philippine governance over Sabah. My wife’s father was among those sent by then President Diosdado Macapagal in 1963 to ask the British government for the return of Sabah because it was during the British colonial rule of Sabah that the lease was granted by the Sultan of Sulu in the late 1800 and it was a mistake to hand Sabah to Malaysia when it was granted independence in 1963.

Even President Marcos tried to regain back the territory in a covert move that resulted in the infamous Jabidah massacre.

TRUST IN MILITARY RETURNING — SURVEY

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20081215-178024/Trust-in-military-returningsurvey

it takes only an ambitious Trillanes or a Honasan and corrupt generals like Carlos Garcia et al to destroy the trust and confidence of people in the military. Just as the PNP is reeling over the damage done to it by the Euro generals.

Mr. Editor; Just like to request you to go to http://www.qatar-tribune.com. and try to peruse on the 13th Dec. article on the upcoming trip to Qatar by our Pres. GMA. There is an article there that interviewed some displaced employees of a semi-gov’t owned company. As well as the response of the representative of the said company. We do hope you can read it to get a broader view of the happenings here in Qatar. Thanks

The core of our military patriots are in the pen. How can they help? They should have pulled the trigger in the first place. We might as well turn now to a viable option, recognize the NPA for they are around and ready to take sides.

The CARP is a killer. It should not continue to nurture laziness and hunger. CARP is unproductive. Some beneficiaries made money not on industry and productivity of food but in the disposition of the land. Those dying of hunger on the street seconded by priests to get an extension of the terminal CARP must succeed earlier to avoid dying just the same on their less tilled lands afterwards.

GOVT HIT FOR ‘AGGRESSIVE OFW MARKETING’

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20081216-178256/Govt-hit-for-aggressive-OFW-marketing

Damn if you do damn if you don’t. This is what the government must be feeling as its efforts to find employment for the jobless are left unappreciated by the Migrant Workers Group. If the government does not act they blame it for not providing them jobs.

The migrant workers group does not seem to appreciate that many companies abroad are going through the hard times and many of them are forced to closed shop, or others must bring down their costs by cutting down their work force or even bring down employment terms in order to survive. The migrant workers want that they be given the best employment conditions yet which they used to have during the good economic times. This group sucks.

Companies worldwide are also suffering and losing money. But there are jobs still available ready for the taking. Or leave it and die of hunger. Beggars cannot be choosers.

WITHHELD AID SPURS ACTION VS. CORRUPTION

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20081216-178241/Withheld-aid-spurs-action-vs-corruption

Threatened that further financial assistance from Washington will be withheld, Malacanang promised to intensify its anti-corruption drive. Disgusting. Because GMA has been saying this since day one of her presidency over four years ago.

It is said that corruption exists in any government no matter how honest the leadership may be but while this may be true especially in the lower levels of government, the highest level is spared of corruption when the highest authority is honest and has the political will to make it so. This cannot be said of the GMA government.

While this is not to accuse GMA of direct complicity in corruption in the absence of evidence but because of the profound neglect that corruption is allowed to happen within the corridors of power involving people close to her, GMA cannot ignore the responsibility that is placed squarely on her. She is seen as either weak in stopping corruption or condoning it.

This is the tragedy of GMA’s legacy that negates the efforts of her sound economic policies that has helped the country get through these global hard times.

Lacson siguro ninenerbyos ka na nyan dahil pagbalik ni mancao sabit ka na dyan,ako gusto ko ikaw ang maging presidente para mabawasan ang power ng media sobra na ang kanilang mga write-up, si tulfo nong nakay
mike A. pa siya all hail siya sa mga ito, ngayon palagi ang banat niya sa mga ito kaya pag si lacson na ang presidente siya naman ang mapapaihi sa pantalon niya sa takot dahil alam niya na magiging kuratong baleleng sya,he is lucky if he will live longer.

NO SUCH CRIME AS BRIBE ATTEMPT

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20081217-178403/No-such-crime-as-bribe-attempt

Francis de Borja, the businessman who allegedly bribed CA justice Sabio with P10 million on behalf of Meralco, told the DOJ there was no such crime as attempted bribery in the books.

Following his logic, there is therefore no crime as attempted rape, attempted murder, attempted arson, attempted robbery or attempted whatever. Hmm.

He must be insane enough to have thought of this.

IRAQI JOURNALIST SORRY FOR SHOE-THROWING

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20081218-178720/Iraqi-journalist-sorry-for-shoe-throwing

My point is would this shoe-thrower have the courage to do this to Saddam Hussein when he was Iraq president? Obviously not. After having a taste of police brutality the guy is now begging for mercy. Good he’ll still be able to come out in one piece. Saddam would have his head decapitated.

On Charter Change, Palace to CBCP call:
IT’S UP TO CONGRESS

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20081218-178640/Its-up-to-Congress

Malacanang and Congress are not really serious about the call against charter change. They’re like playing games throwing the ball from Malacanang court to Congress court and back. Why? Because despite the strong opposition of the bishops and some militant groups, the recent Makati anti-chacha protest did not produce the massive crowd the militants had hoped for to impress everybody particularly Malacanang and Congress that they are a strong force to reckon with. Had they produced a decent crowd say fifty thousand protestors marching through the length of Edsa going to Makati that would have been a sight quite impressive to behold. But the protestors in Makati turned out to be a measly five to seven thousand only which should have been more because they were mostly hakot crowd. That was rather a weak show as if they were making a public statement of how few they really are.

Malacanang and Congress are not taking the anti-chacha seriously on the belief the silent majority favor it considering that GMA is most unpopular.

Filipina on Death Row (in Taiwan?)

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20081219-178918/Christmas-wish-of-a-mom-on-death-row

Please clarify, Dios Mio.

What was the Amerikano boy-friend’s full name: who, from the lack of information provided in the article, I assume abandoned the Filipina suspect, returned Stateside, then committed suicide. How romantic.

Was she widowed? Where is mention of the husband’s full name? Or has The Philippines been completely emasculated after the eras of Queens, Corazon Aquino and Gloria Arroyo?

The article was less journalistic, but more broadway arte-arte. On that note: what the hell was she doing dating some Cow-badoy in Taiwan, while she had 4 kids to honor? How shameful that she was not married, but in a dubious relationship, besides being accused of murder and afterwards theft!

Who were the pair of alleged Chinese thugs? Anghels? Well, thanks to her worship of Mammon, Jezebel, and Pharaoh, the Philippines, as well as Taiwan will pay the price for slandering The Republic of China.

Perhaps South East Asia, not the souls of the immature girlfriend and boyfriend, will receive clemency.

Just going along with the reporter’s amateur, story-telling style=)

P.S. Please accompany a comment thread with each article, jeez. Is that so much to ask? All these comments from different articles is confusing, Egyptian, haphazard, convoluted, and just plain messy. The Enquirer is just perpetuating cliche after cliche. Stick to facts. Dump the boo-hoo tactics. And provide pertinent information in a timely fashion.

btw, the news story of Lea Salonga as Cinderella is pathetic. As if we’re supposed to be inspired by yet another Filipina seduced by an Anglo-Eurabian/Neo-Colonialist.

INVEST PESOS IN NEW, EAST ASIAN MARKETS, DUH! FORGET ABOUT THE WHITE MAN/WOMAN!

Impeachment

http://media.inquirer.net/inquirer/media/impeachment-4.pdf

The People Power movement is done. Tapus. Move along to more contemporary matters of contention. For G-d’s sake, GET A NEW SLOGAN! The Edsa Revolution is old news. Dead and buried. Have some cajones, some balls to confront the Mooslim insurgency in the south all ready. Kick them out of Mindanao, and back to friggin’ Indonesia, if they don’t comply to House rules. Simple. Believe me, Westerners are laughing their arses off knowing The Philippines have a nuclear site, but can’t even turn the sucker on!

So you wanna impeach another president, blah, blah, blah. Same old news. So predictable. That is NOT innovation. Far from it. It is childish complaining. You voted the Hobbit Golfer into office. Democracy at its best.

Don’t fall for the same mistake of copying the Anglo nations. It’s so sexy to see puti anarchists blowing off steam throughout Eurabia and U.S.A.merikkka, eh? And you wonder why Eurabia/U.S.A. are quaking in their designer shoes, as India and China quickly pass the colonialist dogs. It’s because India and China have learned from their wise parents: they will NOT tolerate insurrection. They completely eradicate terrorists from within their borders - without mercy.

Philippines: Ghandi is dead. So are Jesus and Martin Luther King, Jr. These calls to resurrect the People’s Power movement is long over. Your Hippie peace-protests are old-school paradigms/ancient forms of engagement that even the Mooslim fascists haven’t even gotten around to yet.

You’re gonna have fight fire with APOY. Remember your martial arts roots, pamilyah. Kali-Eskrima: no ballet moves of combat. Simply straight to the jugular vein.

LEGARDA: NO ERAP TEAM-UP

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20081221-179232/Legarda-No-Erap-team-up

“That’s good news for Christmas, but politics is not on my mind now,” Loren said.

Yeah, right, except that your paid political ads about yourself continue to fill the radio waves and TV screens. That’s the hypocrisy of politicians.

CORY SAYS SORRY TO ERAP

Cory says Edsa 2 was a mistake and Erap feels vindicated. “Lahat naman tayo nagkakamali. Patawarin mo na lang ako (All of us make mistakes. Forgive me,”) former president Aquino said to Erap.

I know Cory is sick and I wish for her good health. But sometimes serious ailments can alter a person’s perspective of things that provokes a conscious effort to make amends. Cory’s pronouncement is understandable if her intention was only to say sorry to her new-found friend for supporting Edsa 2, but to say Edsa 2 was a mistake is in itself a huge denial of historical facts. It is like Cory saying there was no justification for people to rebel against a profligate and immoral president whose senate allies tried to block his removal. If that is how Cory feels about it then she should also apologize to the Marcoses for Edsa I. Cory should also tell the justices of the Davide Court that they erred in swearing in VP GMA to replace Erap. She should also tell the Sandiganbayan it was a big mistake convicting Erap of plunder which was proven in the court of law but not at the impeachment trial because Erap’s senate allies tried to cover up for him. I have seen the hypocrisy of politicians, but this one beats them all.

Cory is revered by many for the good fight against a dictator but that admiration has diminished over the years as often as she is seen associated with questionable personalities that many are cynical about and whom people have nothing but contempt. It is sad to see that glitter has diminished some more.

CORY SAYS SORRY TO ERAP

Anak naman talaga ng patola oh…

My heart and soul is fuming mad about this. Apologize for what?! I really think it was uncalled for. We have so long been joked around the world as a “banana republic”. Then again, this apology confirmed it by showing how less of people of conviction our former and current leaders are.

I have been with President Aquino with so many of her crusades. Fell badly ill after getting soaked in the rain during one of her rallies, prayed with her in events that the fingers of my hand can not count anymore and shed tears on the news of her contracting a cancer. But not on this one. Damn it, but hell no way!

This is a very typical Filipino telenovela story. Just because somebody turns out to be more than evil, the lesser evil villain becomes a good person. I thought being a former president and the wife of the good Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. spared her from such thoughts. I am really, really abhorred and disgusted about this apology. Crap. Whatever.

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s perceived higher crimes does not automatically make Joseph Estrada less of the criminal that he was lawfully proved to be. If some could be so stupid to forget this reality then please spare the Filipino people of the embarrassment of a public apology. Do it privately should you wish to do so. But not in public, being a prominent public person that Cory is. Because in the eyes of the Republic and the laws that govern it, Joseph Estrada is a criminal and no apology can ever change that. However, the former president has now tainted it and in fact she has made a mockery of our justice system, whatever is left of it.

Comparing it again in a typical Filipino drama, this could be a scene where the dying character seeks forgiveness for the wrong deeds he/she committed. Well, well, well. Since the cancer-stricken former president started apologizing, how about continuing her apologies to the failures of her presidency that brought our country’s economy to its worst while she did nothing but to seek revenge against Marcos and while her relatives are enjoying the fruits of her power? How about apologizing to the farmers of Hacienda Luisita who until now are still waiting for their piece of land as provided by the Agrarian Reform Law? Many have died in that place fighting for what is rightfully theirs. Are their lives less than of your friendship with Joseph Estrada? Why are you so silent about this? Why?!

Your apology to Mr. Estrada, Mrs. Aquino is definitely and by all means in bad taste. I fervently pray now that when your time is finally up, Jaime Cardinal Sin would lash out on you when you see each other either in heaven or hell.

….. Speaking to reporters, De Venecia said Ms Arroyo should not be “another Putin,” referring to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin of Russia, who assumed the post after becoming president.

* * * * * * * *

Why do our politicians keep ridiculing countries like China, Thailand and Russia that are on friendly terms with the Philippines? Jose de Venecia Jr., the Visionary Five-Time Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines, should learn to shut his trap and mind his own business. If he can put out a voluminous biography, he should be able to compare GMA with another example other than Putin.

As for Richard Gordon, his long history of reigning Olongapo instilled in him the habit of using that imperious, abusive tone in the way he speaks. If he speaks Japanese, Gordon can be mistaken for a Kenpeitai.

Offended parties tend to ignore Senator Defensor possibly because of Brenda.

Humiliating our allies with undignified statements seems to be a favorite pastime of our legislators; but to those countries, it is conduct unbecoming statesmen of a friendly nation.

Loren is the most attractive among our next presidential candidates…unfortunately, she is the the least sincere and qualified to run the country. I’d rather vote for Korina, her broadcast colleague, if only she would. By the way, why don’t some smart alecs go to ABS-CBN and ask her former colleagues about Loren’s character as as “person”-bossy ba, mabait ba, helpful ba, vengatiba ba, power hungry ba? - just before we support her.

http://vicissitude-decidido.blogspot.com/2008/12/world-is-fucked-up.html

I think this is something we should not allow to pass.

It is about a mayor who beat a 56-year old man and 14 year old boy to a pulp.

It looks like any un-opened can will do for the presidency in 2010. No other way.

Wag lang yong nabuksan na at may uod pala.

Re: vetting of “let the conversation going…” I believe I posted a short comment regarding that brawl that happened in one of the golf clubs up north. However, this is not the first time you have erased my comment. If that’s the case, then I will not waste my time joining this pretentious Vox Populi for the simple reason that you only perhaps, accept those who swear or write in the dialect or something that would suit your own agenda.

RED ROSE DROPS GUN FOR NORMAL LIFE

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20081231-180770/Red-Rose-drops-gun-for-normal-life

I’m not sure if the government has half-way homes for people like Rose Ann Gumanoy an NPA who came out from the cold to rejoin society. There are many like her who joined the NPA for various reasons and now that they are back the government should give them full support in starting a new life. This will encourage others like her to return to the fold and live like good citizens.

FARMERS RECALL GENTLER MIKE ARROYO

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20081231-180858/Farmers-recall-gentler-Mike-Arroyo

Take it from former President Cory who signed the CARP into a law to promote social justice to farmers by the distribution of lands covered by the agrarian reform program. Take it from incumbent president GMA when she repeatedly promised to help the farmers who had long waited for the lands to be transferred to them. Indeed, many farmers had received their just rewards when land certificates of ownership were handed to them. These were vast lands that once belonged to rich landowners who may have found it understandably difficult to part with their landholdings but nonetheless obliged because it was the law. Not so with Presidents it seems.

Take the case of the Hacienda Luisita owned by President Cory’s family. To go around the law, they schemed to put up a stock option whereby the farmers are deemed owners of the Hacienda and, like a corporation, the president’s family would run and manage the Hacienda and the income to be shared with the farmers. For over a decade the Hacienda failed to produce anything that would provide financial benefits that were promised much to the disappointment of the farmers. Consequently, feeling deceived, the farmers were up in arms and demanded the dismantling of the stock option charade and the immediate distribution of the land to them. The DAR promptly approved the distribution, much to the displeasure of Cory, but legal moves resorted to by Cory’s family have prevented its implementation. The Hacienda farmers are still waiting for their lands to this day. Now comes President GMA. She signed measures that broadened the land reform law to ensure full coverage for the benefit of farmers.

Here is a classic case where two presidents who showed great concern for the poor tenant farmers have no problem in dismantling and distributing vast landholdings that do not belong to them. But it is entirely a different thing when their lands are on the line. They will use every means to prevent the breaking up of their land. That’s double standard. Do they think the land reform law does not apply to them?

Former IBP official nabbed

Its so embarassing that a former IBP official was charged and/or accused of wrong doing because of small misunderstanding.

This attitude is a reflection of our elders who missed to control his temper during the time it mostly needed. Not only for the accused former IBP president but also to the complainant who is a Barangay Official.

It was a simple attitude which shows present culture we had now that we will transfer to the next generation. Remember the son of the accused was besides him when the incident happened.

It’s very shamefull, and of course some of us will said that its an isolated cases only. But the truth its not. Its already a disease among our Filipinos who even educated and uneducated have inherited the culture of being untempered which most probably lead to violence.

We Filipinos are very proud that we are the first in South East Asia when it comes to development etc.. but now we are already way behind our neighbors.

Lets give for example Vietnam. It was only about 30years after they have recuperated from the war but the development in this country is so huge and scattered and can be felt by its own people from North to South and from Urban to Rural Areas. Please dont tell that they might be hiding from the Press their bad side. But me myself have gone at remote villages of this country and have seen that there is no Hunger in this country. There may be crime but you can’t barely see people behind bars on their City Jails. And Police on streets only have Baton Stick on their hand during day time.

Here in Vietnam If you were bump or you bump a Mercedez Benz or Motorbike they first ask if you are alright or not. Then, if the damages on vehicle is negligible both of you will parth that nothing have happened.

But to us the one who have the POWER and untempered head will prevail.

I think “patience and love of the Country” is the precious thing that we should learn from the Vietnamese People that we should pass to our next Generation.

Do we had a unsolicited celebration to honor our Country when we won an international competition? We may have barricade when Pacquiao wont his last fight but besides him is Politician who may or may not serving his personnal interest.

Here revelry for their country its just natural if they won international competition and participants are ordinary people who go on street to participate for their country and not for their own interest even some of them lost their own lives caused by their own fault.

HOPE we Changed!!!!!

DAR CHIEF: DON’T CONDEMN MY FAMILY

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090102-181064/DAR-Chief-Dont-condemn-my-family

Pangandaman should understand by now that it pays to be prudent when dealing with plain citizens. Any display of violence or force as they did in that golf incident with the De la Paz is abhorred and resented by the public that’s why everyone is up in arms because decent people took that as abuse of power.

“Filipinos should ‘stop feeling helpless’”

Filipinos in the Philippines — especially those who pay huge amounts in taxes such as myself — can, and should be able to, think and feel for themselves. There is a reason for the feelings of frustration and hopelessness among the more intelligent citizens of this country, and it is nobody’s business to tell another person that he is not entitled to these feelings — to dismiss, belittle and invalidate the sentiment that the Philippines is a total mess.

I have always wondered if Filipinos are, indeed, as various surveys have supposedly demonstrated, among the happiest nations in the world, or if we have simply become so desensitized to social and political abuse that we believe there is nothing wrong, and tomorrow, tomorrow, always tomorrow, everything will be better. We have lived all our lives in injustice that the idea of demanding good government and excellent civil service is already “asking too much” from our politicians. Since when do we owe them for what little help they have given us so far?

I say let us be angry and frustrated for once in our happy, friendly Filipino lives. Let us not worry about what we can do for the government, but for once, demand what the government can do for us NOW. If not goodwill and prayer rallies, then maybe rage can finally push our country to some change for the better.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090107-181868/Filipinos-should-stop-feeling-helpless

“Filipinos should ‘stop feeling helpless’”

Filipinos in the Philippines — especially those who pay huge amounts in taxes such as myself — can, and should be able to, think and feel for themselves. There is a reason for the feelings of frustration and hopelessness among the more intelligent citizens of this country, and it is nobody’s business to tell another person that he is not entitled to these feelings — to dismiss, belittle and invalidate the sentiment that the Philippines is a total mess.

I have always wondered if Filipinos are, indeed, as various surveys have supposedly demonstrated, among the happiest nations in the world, or if we have simply become so desensitized to social and political abuse that we believe there is nothing wrong, and tomorrow, tomorrow, always tomorrow, everything will be better. We have lived all our lives in injustice that the idea of demanding good government and excellent civil service is already “asking too much” from our politicians. Since when do we owe them for what little help they have given us so far?

I say let us be angry and frustrated for once in our happy, friendly Filipino lives. Let us not worry about what we can do for the government, but for once, demand what the government can do for us NOW. If not goodwill and prayer rallies, then maybe rage can finally push our country to some change for the better.

On the protest rallies to the Israeli Embassy in Dela Costa St., here in Makati were I work, I noticed the presence of non-Muslim leftist organizations along with truly Muslim ones sympathizing for innocent Palestinians. What is the business of non-Muslim leftist organizations like Sanlakas with the ongoing war between Israel and Palestine? I would understand it more if there are a thousand Muslim sympathizers there. It is, after all, a valid cause for concern for them. It would also be alright if it became a religious assembly, since the Israeli-Palestinian conflict also touches on ages-long religious differences. I think it is not alright for leftist, Marxism-leaning organizations like Sanlakas too even be there. I’m tempted to think that they are but “rent-a-crowds” for hire, if only for the sake of getting attention and causing a disturbance in places of work. There cause is not there. Pampasikip ng kalsada, if I may put it bluntly. To Sanlakas and other such groups that have nothing to do with faith or the plight of Muslims and Palestinians, do step aside. Don’t even say you feel sorry for Muslims. You’re just making an excuse to hurl your sentiments against anyone allied with the United States, but you don’t even know the real story how that war came about.

LAWMAKERS PUZZLED
Why didn’t Gonzalez reprimand Verano?

By Leila Salaverria
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:35:00 01/09/2009
Filed Under: PDEA-DOJ bribery issue, Congress, Crime and Law and Justice, Illegal drugs

- - - - - Gonzalez, who did not sign the draft release order, told lawmakers that he did not think a reprimand was necessary because Verano was a private person.

**********

Has senility has caught up with Gonzalez, or is he somehow involved?

Verano is not a private person as compared to a common citizen. He carries a government-issued license to practice law and as such he has certain rights and authority exceeding that of an ordinary citizen.

Verano is no ordinary private person.

Ben Says:
January 8th, 2009 at 4:06 pm

Sir, Don’t you know what injustice means? It means someone is unfairly made an underdog. Be it a Muslim matter, be it corruption in the government, be it anything against humanity, anyone who sympathize has the right to protest.

Don’t brand SANLAKAS who joint the rally in the Israel a “rent-a-crowds”

Just like what is happening now wherein billions of pesos from hard earn tax money is hoodwink in our treasury, or just like that PNP comptroller who can easily withdraw 10 milliona from the Intelligent Funds (which is not suppose to be), we have so many injustice and anomalies around, and we should admire these ralliest.

They are brave enough, they are nationalistic enough, they are much aware of the abuses committed by our government more than anyone else. That is why they are on the street.

Don’t call the Marxist. Let us not resort to name-calling, or stereo typing, as though human mind is just that simple.

Think of the 1.2 billion pesos, Juan de la Cruz is to shoulder because the former Senate President Villar diverted the C-5 to pass through his 12 subdivision. Think about the over price of his lots, from a mere 4,000 pesos, Juan de la Cruz has to pay 30,000 pesos.

Think of the just recently increase of business tax and real estate tax in Quezon City. Mayor Belmonte and his not fourty thieves (councilors) justified the increase to finance the public infrastructures in his City.

He underestimate the intellect of his constituent. Inspite of the more than 30 billions savings Quezon City has already accumulated as savings, still these hungry crocodiles from City Hall of Quezon City just is not satisfied being No. 1 in tax collection.

They want to crucify the tax payers. In spite of hard times, even Americans, Japanese, and the rest of the whole world is suffering from economic hardship, our stupid Mayor Belmonte, and his councilors raised the taxes again for 2009!

Don’t you call that an STUPID ACT?

Men, you wake up to reality. There are many injustice going around us (Filipinos), committed by our corrupt government, and here you are, just because of a little personal difficulties as a result of the rally, you are complaining.

I am not a Muslim admirer, but when injustice is being done to their brothers, then, I am one with them.

Have you seen the injured Palestinian children hit by the bombs? Have you seen the lacerated adult civilians, blooded by the explosions? Are you not disturb?

Try to act like a human being.

The DOJ Secretary must resign now as it is evidently transpiring that he is not in full control of his department. The President on the other hand must revamp the DOJ asap before this culminates into something bigger. The silent majority is loosing it’s cool.

MEN ACCEPTS CJ PUNO CHALLENGE

The Movement to Elect Non-trapos (MEN), whose members represent a cross-section of the country, accept the challenge issued by Chief Justice Puno for moral forces to come out and be visible to help the nation fight the forces of traditional policians (TRAPOS) in their sinister attempt to perpetuate their evil rule.

We have seen the enemy and it is the apathy of the people to get involved in matters of national interest. MEN will vigorously support CJ Puno in his fight against those shadowy characters who want to impeach him so that the Chacha express will run unhindered. More than this, we urge our countrymen to make him the people’s candidate in 2010 as all of the presidential wannabes are trapos in various hues. If enough people want him to run, then we will hurl back the challenge to CJ Puno: sacrifice your term and accept the mandate of the people. As Conrad De Quiroz wrote in his column “Puno for President”, CJ Puno is the Obama of the Philippines. Indeed, CJ Puno will be the people’s knight in shining armor in 2010 who will slay the dragon of bad governance and corruption. God bless the Phillippines!

— Atty. Jose Calida
Spokesman, MEN

It is enough that the DOJ staff involved in the Alabang Boys drug case goes on leave; but why do Gonzalez and Zuno have to insist that the PDEA agents also go on leave? The PDEA is under the Office of the President; Gonzalez and Zuno should keep quiet if they are not acting officially in behalf of the President.

Let the President do her homework, she does not need coaching from a tainted DOJ.

BLAME ARROYO FOR MARCELINO APPOINTMENT
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20090115-183618/Blame-Arroyo-for-Marcelino-appointment

GMA deserves criticisms for her many faulty decisions but I don’t believe she should be blamed for Major Marcelino’s appointment to the PDEA.

PDEA Director Santiago is a GMA appointee. If he turns out to be incompetent blame GMA for it. Marcelino was Santiago’s appointee. If he turns out to be unqualified because of constitutional restriction blame Santiago for it for ignorance of Marcelino’s unlawful qualifications. I don’t think it is fair to blame the president for that mistake and not Santiago. To say the buck stops at the president is stretching the issue on command responsibility a bit too far.

Gonzalez should question the authority that appointed Marcelino if he thinks that there was a violation of the Constitution.

As of this time, we do not know how many active military officers are working in our civilian government, especially, in the Department of Defense. Some may be appointed and others are simply assigned to the agencies.

Marcelino is a Philippine marine. He has to obey the orders of his commander-in-chief and, in a war, marines do not question the authority of their commander-in-chief.

The country is engaged in a war now, a WAR against narco-politics which is a thousand times more serious than the war against terrorism. In 9/11, Bin Laden was able to kill only a few thousand lives but narcotics and drugs continue to kill millions directly and indirectly, via HIV-AIDS. Part of the money generated from drugs is used to finance elections of dishonest politicians in this country.

Marcelino has to obey his commander. It is his commander that has to answer to the people and the Constitution.

Re Sentosa Nurses Prosecution

Congratulations to the Nurses in getting a favorable ruling in the US. Though they were failed by their own Philippine Justice System (as always the rich who can pay the corrupt system, the connected, the powerful win in the Philippines), the American justice system handed them a fair judgment. If only all the oppressed Pinoys can have their cases tried outside of the country where justice is served to all and not reserve to the chosen elite.
Overhaul of the DOJ should start with Gonzales. His statements are mostly biased, condescending, unprofessional and very defensive of the Arroyo and her government. A member of the DOJ should be independent minded and not a puppet of the president or to those bribe offerers.

GONZALES IS LAWYERING FOR THE ALABANG BOYS. WHAT HE IS SAYING RE MARCELINO’S ACTIONS BEING VOID BEARS ON LEGALITY OF ARREST AND EVIDENCE OBTAINED WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE DISMISSAL OF CASE. GRANTING ARGUENDO, IT SHOULD BE A MATTER OF DEFENSE IN COURT, NOT IN PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION. PROSECUTORS SHOULD BE VIGILANT FOR ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS, ESPECIALLY AGAINST THOSE CAUGHT RED-HANDED LIKE ALABANG BOYS, AND NOT FIND WAYS TO SET SUSPECTS FREE INSTEAD. WHY GONZALES IS DOING THAT I LEAVE ALL UP TO YOU TO FIGURE OUT.

NBI CLEARS DOJ OFFICIALS

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view_article.php?article_id=184351

I knew it would come to this and I blame the PDEA for it for claiming that 50 million peso bribe had changed hands in the DOJ to free the Alabang boys. In an earlier piece, I raised skepticism that 50 million bribe was staggering to free small time street pushers. A million or two may be tops but 50 million? That’s pure hogwash. Only drug lords and drug capitalists would find it worth that much to bribe their way out.

Bribes are part and parcel of the narcotics trade and it cannot be said that the DOJ and PDEA are immune from it. But what is wrong is for PDEA to accuse DOJ was bribed 50 million and when challenged to prove it PDEA chief Dionisio Santiago would later admit they only floated the idea to psyche out the DOJ prosecutors. So the accusation was not true after all and the DOJ would not have cleared its name if Santiago was not compelled to tell the truth. Santiago and his men should have the sense to realize how people would react to this. People will now think that if they could do this to a powerful government agency like the DOJ what chance does a powerless citizen have against them? To be dishonest in their work is no less different from planting evidence against innocent civilians. I am not saying the Alabang boys are innocent because I have reasons to believe they are, but the practice of planting evidence is quite prevalent and I know many instances where children of my acquaintances have been victimized by police extortion. This practice must be stopped.

Correction, pls read:
“… I am not saying the Alabang boys are innocent because I have reasons to believe they are NOT …” Sorry.

Reference to the news on the affected municipalities in Mindanao of floods and landslides, I just want to correct one, Municipality of LANUZA is not under Agusan del Sur. It is under Province of Surigao del Sur. Baka maligaw ang magdadala ng mga relief goods.

Look what’s happening today to our public officials, they are starting to panic. What they have done yesterday was starting to precipitate and getting out on the public( take note: not only on local public (referring to philippines community) but to international community. One example is the banning of Seven contracting company by World Bank is a big slap on our government. why our government officials didnt notice that practice along the way? and why only the “Independent” World Bank found that crap?. Its simply because World Bank dont have interest in corruption and what they want is an excellent service which is lacking in our public officials. Maybe this highly corrupt officials knows all this thing, and maybe because they are part of it. And they dont want to stop that pratice maybe because its thier milking cows or maybe it is what they called thier “election kitty”. And also our house of representatives making the issue a “tsubibo” making an investigation, you know why? tell me who among them could accuse their own self?….the investigation should be done by an independent party, independent from the solons, independent from the project implementing body…who are they? and if there is, are they not prone to influence by this corrupt officials?….it should be not like the NBI investigating the DoJ which making them biased….DPWH is also a making a funny move. DPWH knows everything about this on the first place because everything was done in this office before that project be implemented but why it seems that they don’t know it,maybe they become blinded and maybe because they are part of the payroll or what we call a “how much percentage should i earn” transaction on every project this contractor had.Maybe a senate or any independent concern body should create an anti-curropt investigating panel which look further about this banned conctractor and any other contractor operating in the province or municipality because im really sure this also happens on the locality. We Filipinos looks funny in international media, because lot of public officials are seeking for thier own obvious mess. Our President should make a concrete move first eliminating corrupt officials rather than making posterity just to make Her political figure looking good. But before anything else she would start cleaning her mess in her own backyard first before she could point other faces dirt. That move alone is the greatest gift she could give to the filipino people and to the succeeding generation.God bless the Philippines…..

Re: Solons give selves P9.7B in pork barrel

It is unbelievable that our legislators have the gall to claim this amount of money at this time of global economic crisis. Grabe talaga ang mga politico natin!!!

If democracy, Philippine-style, means that ELECTED officials can just abuse people’s trust (while holding on to their rosaries), spend public money to build mansions (and still claim innocence even if caught red-handed!) and act as if 90 million Pinoys are almost non-entities - then we, voters, should get our acts together. It’s high time we make these people accountable. Sobra na sila!

PR GIRL SAYS ESTRADA IS THE RP OBAMA

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20090123-185089/Fire-hits-residential-area-in-Manila

Jojo Binay will not believe Erap is RP’s Obama because more than ever he knows the title rightfully belongs to him.

Binay knows the RP presidency follows that of the US. When Gen. Eisenhower became US president RP also elected Gen. Ramos. When Hollywood actor Ronald Reagan became president, RP also elected actor Erap. Then GWB followed his Dad to become president, and so did GMA follow her Dad too. Now that a black president is US president Binay knows he too will become the next RP president. Heheh

PROSECUTOR WON’T BARE BANK RECORD

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090128-185972/Prosecutor-wont-bare-bank-record

To be fair not only DOJ prosecutor Resado should be investigated but also PDEA chief Santiago and PDEA officer Major Marcelino as well as PDEA lawyer Lazaro. These three PDEA personalities cannot claim to have absolute clean hands or background. I recall Santiago when he was AFP chief of staff was questioned about an 8 million peso check intended for the AFP but which he deposited to his personal account. Whatever happened to that case? Swept under the rug? He also once admitted in an interview the practice of planting evidence as a last resort to catch notorious drug suspects. Marcelino is protecting his PMA mistah who intervened on behalf of the Alabang boys and tried to bribe him. He refuses to reveal the identity of his mistah. But he has no trouble making sweeping accusations against DOJ prosecutors without providing evidence. Lazaro was once sanctioned by the Supreme Court and suspended for professional misdemeanor. Many of these guys in the PDEA are not as clean as they appear to be.

OBAMA WINS PASSAGE OF STIMULUS PLAN

http://business.inquirer.net/money/breakingnews/view/20090129-186207/Obama-wins-passage-of-stimulus-plan

interestingly, the plan was passed by the House without the support of a single Republican. The Republicans seem to miss the point that it was under their very own Republican Bush government that this monumental economic mess happened. Supporting the plan would have signified their efforts to make up for the mess they created that they are willing to go along with the Obama leadership. Its success would be theirs too. But they’d rather show their arrogance by going it differently. Who cares what the people say.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/news/view/20090202-187045/OWWA-offers-grants-loans-to-OFWs

I am an OFW from Malaysia and I would soon be returning to the islands. OFWs would prefer working outside the country because it simply more attractive and more promising. The job market abroad is better than in the Philippines–period.

I have seen how the Malaysian government take care of their people even though you hear of some corruption in the news. Our government should be more creative in serving its own people than in plundering our coffers.

I would really wish our very corrupt government officials to see the light, or may karma take care of them. They are only making our weak country weaker. Do they want to leave a bad legacy–the most bold and corrupt in the history of the Philippines?

LACSON CLAIMS
10 People Link Mike A In WB Scam Report

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090205-187502/10-people-link-Mike-A-in-WB-scam-report

Lacson names the late Senator Robert Barbers as one of DPWH fixers in the World Bank-funded projects.

Unfortunately for the dead senator he is no longer around to defend himself. But, knowing Lacson, he probably cannot forgive Barbers who in 2002 headed one of three senate investigation committees that found probable cause of Lacson’s involvement in the kidnap for ransom and drug trafficking in the case of the Kuratong Baleleng, and recommended the filing of criminal charges against him by the DOJ.

Fortunately for Lacson, his allies in the Senate then, Pimentel and Legarda, among them, staged a senate coup that left the committee report unacted upon and was archived.

Barbers has long been dead and it’s more than a coincidence that his name must be dragged yet if only to give Lacson a personal satisfaction for revenge. If Lacson has no respect for the defenseless dead he obviously has no respect whatsoever for the living and could not care less whether or not he can prove his accusations so long as he can destroy his political enemies.

Lacson has accused so many personalities of criminal activity but not one has been brought to court let alone sent to jail. Why? Because he is so naive and gullible to fall for hearsay and unfounded information. Lacson prides himself for being a top cop once but his lack of understanding of the law makes him miserably incompetent.

Jun Lozada said: “ … I’m like a computer that was already multitasking but was suddenly reset, that suddenly crashed. So I wanted to reboot my life.”

During his heydays, Jun was really like a computer multitasking, he was lying, cheating and stealing; until a guy called Joey punched the reset button and the computer crashed. Every time Jun tried to re-boot himself now, he’s like an old dilapidated computer without an OS, he’d just “hang”.

PROBE OF MIKE ARROYO PUSHED

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view_article.php?article_id=187682

Mike Arroyo must have felt being the target of character assassination, that is of course, if he is innocent of the charge. More than anybody else, he should move to clear his name or forever remain a crook in the minds of everyone.

For so long FG has been the favorite whipping boy of his political enemies, villified and insulted, and right now no less than the World Bank has linked him to bidding anomalies. It is quite likely many of such charges may be false and spread by his political enemies but this is part of the territory in politics and it behooves him to prove the accusations are false. His failure to clear his name will only make his enemies to feast on him.

The First Gentleman cannot rely simply on his lawyers’ words in defending him. All these allegations against him would not prosper if his integrity was acknowledged to be beyond reproach. Unfortunately for him, he has not been known for that. He should take the initiative to get to the source of WB’s information and have everyone involved in the allegations brought before the court of law. Daring his enemies to prove the allegations is not enough to clear his name because this is exactly what his enemies want to happen. By not proving it in the court of law the allegations will linger on and the question about his integrity will remain in doubt. He is still the loser.

Water Rates Increase.

While it is true that the two principal concessionaires of MWSS may suffer inflationary and foreign exchange losses but these do not always result in actual losses in the overall operations. In this critical moment of economic meltdown, the two concessionaires should reduce their margins of profit to the extent of risking, perhaps, certain degree of losses for a year or two because they, Maynilad and Manila Water, will keep hold of their markets for many wears to come. Their markets will not dissipate but, on the reverse, will increase in proportion with the population growth. In a market where there are no competitors, there is always the opportunity for them to recover their losses in the future.

If the concessionaires agree to partake in such sacrifices, the MWSS must also exercise a degree of leniency in their demand for payments when the concessionaires are in real financial straits.

Mike Arroyo, the World Bank and other corrupt officials

This is not a surprise to us, rather this is a common occurence in the inner circle of the Malacanang and the other branches of the inutile government of our beloved country. The rampant corruption going on in the ranks of our government officials is indeed more of a norm than an exception. It is really appalling that we have and we breed these so-called leaders and government officials whose main concern is to fatten their wallet with greed. Shame on these people and we really wish and hope that their ill-gotten wealth will bring ruins on them.

Well for FG Arroyo, will he face the call to clear his name? Or will he hide again inside St Lukes private rooms because of ailing condition? Or better yet, emulate Neri’s no show approach? Well, whether or not you clear your name publicly with these mess, in the minds of the majority of the people, you are without a doubt GUILTY of corrupt practice. Shame on you.

Lacson’s linking the late Sen. Barber as fixer in the WB funded project

If there is truth to this allegation and it can be substantiated, well in my opinion, unfortunate this circumstances may be and with all due respect to the late senator, he’s still accountable. Dragging his name in these mess was obviously his on doing. A corrupt practice should not absolve anyone inspite of his/her health condition, governement position and even being dead already. Because obviously inspite of having passed away years ago, that corrupt act/practice have benefited someone by cheating our country’s coffer.

ARROYO SETTLES FOR THE NEXT BEST THING

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view_article.php?article_id=188071

It’s about time GMA put an end to this obsession to have a personal meeting with US President Obama. It’s quite obvious Obama has no interest to meet with her at least at this time. She may be important to the US President in some way I am sure but not at this time when greater and more urgent and serious issues must take priority. In one instance, GMA who attended an event at the UN in NY made a side trip to Chicago ostensibly to visit some Pinoy community there, but it was quite obvious she hoped to catch the newly-elected president who simply ignored her presence there. At a drop of an invite, she made an unscheduled quickie trip from the Middle East to Washington DC to attend the breakfast prayer rally, and again Obama ignored her presence. Now GMA has made herself the laughing stock of media and Malacanang is having a hard time denying she was snubbed by Obama. Aaay naku!!! Nakakahiya.

LACSON: I’LL NEVER SHUT UP ON CORRUPTION

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090208-188075/Lacson-Ill-never-shut-up-on-corruption

Lacson’s audacious stand on corruption is admirable, but two things he needs to realize.

First, he was elected senator to craft laws and not to run after crooks. Second, if he wants to hunt down crooks he should go back to the PNP where he might have success in catching the crooks.

Even as senator-cop he does not seem to get anywhere. His accusations have not brought any of the accused in court, let alone in jail. He may think he has the goods on Mike Arroyo because of that WB report. That report does not give substance to evidence or proof other than a hearsay statement from the WB source. Once again, Lacson is hoping against hope he can put Mike to jail. When will Lacson ever learn?

PGMA is at it again. She wants to meet the President of the United State of America, Barak Obama, whom she snub at the height of the U. S. presidential election.

To receive a return call one month after she sent her THREE congratulation messages to President Barak Obama, while other head of States right away got their return call is a blatant insult to PGMA.

ANG KAPAL!

Why not accept the consequence of her snobbery. She started it, so there is little she can do if President Barak Obama returns the complement.

Second best, getting photos beside Hellery Clinton would not erase nor change reality. She is still a push-over.

Besides, Americans abhor liars, cheaters, and corrupt foreign governent. They dislike associatiing with governments who violates human rights. I say again, the Philippines is branded as the “Killingest country in the world”, according the to U.N. report (most likely because of the Alston Report on Extra judicial unabatted and widespread killings in the Philippines.

ANG KAPAL!

JAILED LACSON AIDE MAY SOON BE FREE

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/news/view/20090208-188091/Jailed-Lacson-aide-may-soon-be-free

Good, Michael Ray Aquino will soon be freed from US prison. This will hasten his deportation to the Philippines to face the Dacer-Corbito double murder charge against him. This will also afford Ping Lacson the chance to clear his name that he has nothing to do with killing of Dacer. More than anything, Lacson cannot remove himself from the suspicion because the men involved in the murder were his loyal men in the old PAOCTF and townmates in Cavite.

JUN LOZADA is back on the front pages resurrrected by the religious sisters after being left on the sidelines and forgotten.

I would be the least surprised if the sisters will groom Lozada for senator in 2010. Obviously, following the footsteps of FPJ ’s adopted daughter who just recently announced her intention to run for the Senate in 2010. With nary a background to justify a place in the Senate she probably thinks her affinity to FPJ is enough justification to deserve a senate seat.

Perhaps Lozada’s handlers will also think he too deserves to become senator after all he is a whistle blower, forget he was a corrupt moderator of greed.

In no time there will be more loonies in the Senate. No wonder senators are hardly respected anymore.

There’s that unforgettable line in a song, “you’re so good to be true” ( i..e. RP Hoopsters win Olympic Gold)that somehow has an opposite reprise “President and Husband in Grand Scam” which is also bad to be trrue. More so when an die-hard opposition Senator is the mouth who’s alleging so. Granting Mike Arroyo is guilty ang goes to jail, his wife will only pardon him. So what’s all this sound and fury? Sarsuela and Moro-Moro , TV mileage in aid of election, ano pa? ‘Sus Mariano Ka Indo, reads the headline, “Hero Senator exposes Scam and sends FG to Jail- Wife Pardons husband on Same Day”.

Sa kalye pag ang isang tao ay nakarinig ng hindi maganda sa pagkatao niya, hindi ito makatulog, magkageyera man sa kalye. Magdedemanda ito na ilahad ang bagay para makita ng lahat.

Siguro may mga tao lang na sa halip na gawin yan, ang actuation nila ay magtago o patahimikin ang esyo na parang wala(?)

Ano pa ang masabi ng publiko diyan kundi…Mukhang guilty.

On the DOJ-PDEA war. Second only to the NBI, the PDEA agents are experts in gathering and getting evidence by hook or by crook (hidden cameras, tiny transmitters,undercovers, etc.) How come, they could not produce any shred of evidence to prove their allegations that the DOJ people received bribes from the Alabang Boys? I am not a lawyer but Resado is definitely “not innocent”; however, in the absence of any evidence, he is not guilty. The DOJ vs PDEA issue has overshadowed the Alabang Boys drug case.

In New Jersey I can only watch congressional hearings from nine in the evening. The hearing on the Legacy case for example is boring because it’s getting unnecessarily lengthy for the ff. reasons: Congressmen would rather speak English in stead of Tagalog or Taglish. Their English is verbose, tedious, embellished with unnecessary legalese details that the average listener may not even understand. Cong.Padilla could use Latin Motu Propio but cAn’t place the accent on “committee” and “predator” correctly. One Cong.Rodruiguez is short-tempered and bamboozles BSP witnesses like they were his children. Cong. Rodriguez’s arrogant demeanor doesn’t make him a better representative of his people. The Chairman of the hearing should be a strict disciplinarian to keep order in the hearing when speakers get astray or digressing from the issue at hand. Cong. Padilla is the most verbose yet got the least info from the witnesses. Too many words, too little substance. Those who didn’t waste time because they spoke clear and straight English were Cong.Locsin, Villafuerto, and prime resourse person, Mr. de los Angeles.
Unlike Rodriguez, Cong. Lagman is more deliberate, polite, and emphatic. If only these hearings are done in Tagalog,I am willing to watch them maski na “Walang Tulugan”. Please let us not turn them to inquisitions. Witnesses, whether prepared or not should not be humiliated.

PROBE UNCOVERS GAPS IN DRUG BUST

tp://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090210-188404/Probe-uncovers-gaps-in-drug-bust

When will our anti-drug authorities like the PDEA learn to stick to the rules so their efforts to arrest will not be for naught? How could they be so dumb not to take inventory of the alleged confiscated drugs right at the crime scene as the law requires to insure the evidence is legitimate and not contaminated or planted, but instead the PDEA arresting officers brought them to headquarters and did the inventory nine hours later?

No wonder the prosecution saw cause to dismss the case and obviously to save face, the PDEA needs a story to cover up their mistake by claiming that the DOJ prosecutors were bribed to drop the case, a very serious accusation they cannot prove. Disgusting.

JLozada made the fatal mistake of taking his case to blood thirsty senators in stead of directly going to court with the backing of the Sisters and the Church. The explosive Senate hearing gave Lozada’s grand revelation a tinge of political dirt, considering that most of probers are rabid anti-Arroyo solons.In his present predicament, Mr. Lozada might as well make a gamble of his “heroics” by joining a political party and lay all his cards directly to the voters. Good Luck!

09feb2009
lasvegasnv
2000

if only gma- took her chance in getting to know the fil-ams community in american soil, the probability of her meeting the u.s. president face to face could be a possibility.

the u.s president who grew up in honolulu hawaii and was exposed to various fil-am communities is likely more informed than gma of what the filipinos are made off.

the u.s president have a pretty good idea that all filipinos are hardwoking,honest and freedom loving people.

she-gma- might as well face and dance the music that the chances of her meeting the u.s president is almost nil at the present situation.

kayana2 sends,
lasvegasnv.

This comment is about the plans to build a monorail there in the Philippines, connecting the three terminals. I’ve just got back from London with my husband and Gatwick airport is even bigger than before. They have built a skyway for people coming from the South and North Terminals and although it is now more convenient, the long, long walk to the Customs from the aircraft is indeed and truly tiring–they don’t even have buggies hanging around for infirm or invalid people. The monorail plans should have already been in place in the Philippines when the second terminal was built. Why has it taken so long to plan for this very important segment of airport comfort? We need monorail there for ease. Here in Malaga where I live, they are building a state-of-the art international airport to replace the old one and they have already linked the airport to the new AVE. (Alta velocidad or high-speed train). The train station has hotels, shopping malls, shops, restaurant and coffee shops and once the new airport is finished, which will be next year, it will be one of the finest in the world. As for the Philippines, the more planners and government officials there dilly-dally, the more problems for foreign and locals alike. What is needed now is quick, swift government approval.Also, at Gatwick the monorail leaves every 15 minutes, that will transport you to another terminal or to catch the train to Victoria Station. This should also be done there. The monorail plans and the LRT and MRT stations should now be fully intergrated as his would help increase tourism there. Lingering doubts to build this infrastructure should not come in the way of progress. The government has the money to do this job—it is the slowness or the lack of quick, swift action to put this infrastructure in place. Come on, let’s do it—now!!!Move, guys!

The fertilizer scam is a syndicated crime. If the Senate were warranted to arrest Mr. Paule for lying under oath, I hope Senator Gordon et al will do the same to Mr. Big Jocjoc Bolante, himself. Bolante deserves the worse consequence; if Paule lied a hundred, Bolanted lied a thousand. Should he get just a slap on the wrist, then people can’t be blamed for distrusting politicians’ twisted sense of justice. Compared to Bolante’s well-thought out and scripted lies, Paule’s glib and tall tales pale in comparison. Paule may be a “crook” but Bolante is not only a crook but “crooked” as well, and therefore deserves a more severe penance or sentece. There ought to be a law in the next charter that dictates that the higher the office of the felon,(gov’t. offiials, men in uniform and in robe, etc.) the greater the punishment. Justice should be meted not only equally but also equitably.

This is about the news: “Reyes wants LPG under price law:Regulation of industry also sought”

Please if this can be relayed to our DTI, DOE, MWSS, Congress, Senate and even to the president herself to make PRICING OF BOTTLED WATER REGULATED. Water is the most basic necessity. And it pains me to live in a future when water is also subjected to hoarding and price manipulation. We must include (price) regulation of bottled water NOW.

SC orders Smith placed under RP custody

I think its been long overdue, but why now? I might be skeptical, but has it something to do with cold GMA-Obama Relation? I will leave this question for all you to ponder…

The Nicole-Smith rape case should serve a precedent and warning not only to US soldiers in the Philippines but more so to ill-informed Filipino girls who always think “white” romance is sweeter than between two brown lovers. The victim should have known better that going with a gang of love-hungry deprived soldiers is not a walk on clouds but to the garden of evil. Due to the influence of the “white” culture on our cultural psyche (imported game and reality shows, junk food , fashion, celebrity life & style, hip-hop & rap) brown girl Nicole who saw and loved “white” will not be the first or the last victim of a white rapist.

Mr. Philip Piccio, spokesman for planholders, should be commended. I don’t know if he’s a lawyer but certainly he’s an articulate and effective speaker and leader. He’s a better and more convincing champion of the victims’ right, than (our supposed to be official do-nothing guardians)all the SEC commissioners like Barin combined. Mr. Piccio’s ability to stress and drive a point shames Barin et al, I hope there will be more Philip Piccios and fewer Barins and her irresponsible SEC commissioners.

I’m neither a doctor nor a psychologist, but my average mind tells me that any normal person. high ranking or not, professional or not, invited to testify in a Senate hearing will experience trauma. The interrogators sound like the Gestapos looking for some Jews. Sen. Biazon asked the FG’s doctor a litany of questions like was only trying to trip the doctor on what constitute stress as if the Senator knew some exercise, therapy, or medicine for high blood pressure. Except for Sen Pia Cayetano, the Senators talk “tough” to the resource persons, but are meek. short of nervous, when addressing Senator Santiago. The hearing reveals that our Senators look down on ordinary citizens (except during elections of course) but not to their colleagues). The doctor was right. If FG Mike Arroyo attends the hearing, Pres. GMA might be widowed in no time.

Spain goes into recession…one of this online newspaper’s bylines. Indeed, I’ve been living in Spain for almost three decades now and this is the first time since this beautiful country became very rich that recession has finally hit this country. But I am not here to talk about recession. I write about the rampant corruption going on in Spain.
Since Spain joined the EU, the infrastrucrture projects happened with speed, and the ease they were able to get funding from the EU itself to keep the country back on its feet (This was still a Third World country until the late 70’s) and develop it, to what is now, one of the best countries to live in, in the world.
That’s a fact, but that topic is for another day…
Spain has its share of corruption—lots and lots of it. Our own town mayor was just released form jail a couple of months ago, along with a few other cohorts. All in all, around over 100 townhall functionaries were thrown in jail. The biggest and clever man why ran this resort town where I live is still waiting to be released. This man came from up north and contracted by the other mayor to run this town. He was only living in a one-bedroom flat and had no money, but, oh boy, this guy has brainpower. One only needs a good fine brain to fill one’s pocket, right? Anyway, in eighteen months, he was able to make himself a millionaire. Before anyone could blink, over the fourteen-year tenure that this guy ran the show in my town, he was off to becoming one of Spain’s billionaires. No shock there. But the shock came when we found out how corrupt these elected politicians in this resort town were…Sure, they have made this town one of the best resorts in Europe, but at the same time, they were building their own mansions, setting up horse stables, collecting masterpieces of Goya, Reuben, Monet, Picasso, and a host of et al, as they frittered away millions of euros. Today, this resort town is run by the Conservatives. When they took over, the kitty was empty. This town couldn’t afford to buy new equipment for rubbish collection, etc.
We keep saying that there’s so much corruption in the Philippines. But this country, Spain, also has its share of corupt people. Neighbouring town’s former mayors and their cohorts are still awaiting trial, or are still in jail; up and down Spain, they are cleaning up the townhall with corrupt functionaries; The EU itself isn’t free of corruption. There had been threats to Whistleblowers when they found out about funding for olive orchards in Italy that didn’t exist! And the same were getting millions of aid from the EU. The EU officials are highly-paid people, with all the perks even the US president would be ashamed to accept. But that’s EU—it is running a double-standard activity—for as long as it suits them, they can finger-point. But when whistleblowers from within the ranks begin to shed light on their own “activities”, they change gear…
For all those who’d read this, you and I know that corruption exists in every country/ corner of the world. Let’s not be too harsh on our country. Sure corruption exists, but the very ones doing it are those unelected ones, right? more so than the elected ones.
2010, guys, here we have a good chance to choose our ideal politicians. However, let’s give them scope. There is no true ideal politician. Otherwise, we might as well as God Above to hold office down below.

No one loves a liar, but the manner by which or law enforcers haled Mr. Paule from the hospital straight to jail for perjuring the Senate (not the court)smacks of cloak and dagger compartmental justice. If Paule had lied a hundred times, Bolante lied a thousand. Paule was glib in his testimony, but Bolante deliberated and scripted his lies. Paule is but a lieutenant, Bolante is the general in command. Punishment should be meted not only equally but equitably. Meaning, the higher the office of the offender, the greater the crime, and the more severe the punishment. I am beginning to sense that poor Paule is going to be used as a prototype. My sympathy goes to the victims of the scam and to the family of Paule.

When I see a brother and sister senators side by side, I see one very happy and powerful family. But I also see denial, intimidation, and alienation, not say damnation and abuse. POLITICAL DYNASTY belongs to the ancient times of kings, queens, and pharoahs, not in a time and pleace where democracy and religion tell us that we are born equal and we are all children of God. We claim to be an island nation of literate people but we allow ourselves to be ruled by a few oligarchs. One senator or one mayor in one family is fair enough. Two or more of the same in one family is avarice for political power. If changes take place in the new charter, political dynasties should be banned because these families have been monopolizing power for decades, alienating and intimidating other equally or possibly more qualified leaders. When I see two Cayetano senators side by side, I see millions of mis-guided, ill-advised Filipino voters who put them there.

Even if Mr. Paule concocted lies in the Fertilizer scam hearing and angered the interrogators, the Senators didn’t have the right to send Paule to jail. Paule “lied” in a hearing as a resource person and not as an accused in a court of law. To send him to jail means the investigation in aid of legislation has become a police investigation. The most the Senators could have done is require Paule to report to the hearing, but to arrest and bring him to jail is an overkill and will make Paule look like a martyr and not a felon. I suspect that our solon have been watching and have been inluenced by too much telenove dramatics.

I don’t understand why the first gentleman doesn’t want to face the music. This means only he has something to hide. Doctors are a very good excuse these days.

St. Lukes Hospital must be happy that it’s getting free media mileage, not because of Bolante, FG Mike, and Mr.Paule, but because of those detractors who are doubting the integrity if not the credentials of the doctor(s) whom these three controversial individuals consulted. These unbelievers should know that even before all these corruption issues exploded, St.Lukes is already a reputable hospitals because of its modern facilities and competent and specialist doctors. So it is no small coincidence that those who can afford it such as the FG, Bolante, and Paule will go to St,Lukes, not for convenience, not for sanctuary but for health reasons. Any one, as suspicious as Ms. Leah Navarro and Sen. Biazon, who questions the credibility and integrity of the doctor(s) are barking up the wrong tree.

Sen Alan Cayetano says that telling the truth (on the part of FG) is not stressful, but telling a lie is. The young Senator may know his law and is a master of sarcasm but his psychology is fallacious. Stress is contextual and even environmental. If televiewers find the hearings dramatic, explosive, and full of shocking surprises, much more so with those are present in the hearing. The FG thus can’t be blamed for not showing up in the hearing because as he said “I don’t want to die yet”. Being surrounded by blood-thirsty politicians is stressful. Specially by interrogators like Alan Cayetano who has never appreciated and seen anything right, anything good in the first family. The boyish look of the senator is in contrast to his abrasive, fault-finding, derogatory, hole-in-the-donut tongue. When he opens his mouth, I seldom hear pleasant, cordial, and positive words without resorting to sarcastic, satirical, and sardonic undertones. With an interrogator like Sen Cayetano, President Arroyo will be widowed in no time.

I’m sure you have read of “Bailout Bill” of NY giving away cash ($50+) in Midtown Manhatan with no strings atached but to line up and tell him your money problem. What if we require all those guilty grafters ( Bolante, de los Angeles, dynastic politiicians, malling millionaires, pre-need and bank moguls, et all) to do the same charity work inside the Big Dome? (in stead of waste time and jail space in prosecuting them) amidst the global economic crunch, that would be great. Of course I may just be trying to be humorous here, but when billions of the people’s money go to a corrupt few in stead of the ordinary citizens is not humorous but excruciatingly painful to bear.

What kind of legislators and law enforcers do we have in Congress to have sent Mr. Paule to the wrong jail? One need not be a lawyer to know that Paule isn’t (yet) a convicted criminal to deserve prison. He is still a witness (who may be lying) but he’s not a criminal. I therefore empathize with her children. Truth is, because of the congressional teleserye sitcom, Paule now looks more of a kawawang martyr. To me, seeing Paule’s face, his involuntary blinking eyes, his specs hanging on the tip of his nose, his Charlie Chaplin grin, and his total demeanor make him a rare Showbiz character -No sarcasm here - after all this investigation, the network should give Mr.Paule a break (from prison) and into Showbiz. No Kidding.

I hope the Nicole rape case will serve as a warning to Filipino women who believe that white is always better that colored. Nicole would be naive not to understand the loneliness and need for R&R of overseas soldiers. She should have known that joy riding with a gang of soldiers is different from being serenaded by Kulas. Did Nicole really and honestly expect that young Smith would only look and chat with her about politics, Hollywood, or even religion under the moonlight? Well, Smith “Did it” as the court judged him guilty. If Smith is guilty of rape, Nicole is guilty of naivete.

Now that the WB will finally spill the beans, confirms the bid-rigging allegations, and the courts judge him guilty. GMA can do either one of these alternatives: (1) She can divorce Mike and make him just an ordinary citizen. or (2) She is still in power and can just pardon her husband. If she could do it with Erap, why not with her own husband?

“…. Panlilio claims that operations of the illegal numbers game “jueteng” were revived following President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s assumption of the presidency in 2001.” - (PDI - JIM GUIAO PUNZALAN)

Governor Ed Panlilio being a priest should not distort the truth.

Before Gloria’s term was the Erap administration and Erap was accused and convicted of plunder, most of the money was derived from “jueteng”. When Erap was ousted, the illegal gambling game was still flourishing when GMA took office. The “jueteng” game never died out nor was it ever been killed so it couldn’t have been “revived”.

Most probably, the good Governor does not like to admit that he, too, is unable to control the rampant gambling in his province. The simple and easy way out for him is to pass the blame to the GMA administration. Panlilio should not resort to dirty tactics; this kind of inconsistencies should not come from the mouth of a priest.

As a teacher of more than forty years of experience, I was stunned to learn just now that there are “Catholic Schools” who don’t want to educate children of single parents. I dare say that these institutions are not “Catholic” nor are they schools. They are human factories who fabricate children into becoming heartless amazons without arrows, anti-Christian alumna, and incongruous puritans. Such places are better known as sororities, where if you are not one of us then you are different, your are inferior and therefore you are nothing. They are run like military schools that train their female soldiers to kill not the enemy but the very society they live in. No wonder Catholics are hated because they educated and bred in anti-Christian schools. Janette, get you child out of these anti-Christ schools before it’s too late.

31 abused OFWs return home from Saudi Arabia. That’s not news but an inevitability. I had worked and lived in Saudi Arabia for fifteen years to know what I’m talking about here. Being a teacher of adult Saudis working for an oil company, I mingled with students and somehow came to understand their problems, traits, and culture. A Saudi male is emotionally deprived. He can’t go boozing, dancing (no Discos or clubs), and
dating girls. No way. The nearest place for Saudis in the Eastern Province to enjoy night life is Bahrain. No wonder, when Saudis fly, the first things they ask the stewardess is alcohol. Saudi girls on the other hand have limited rights. They can’t drive, can’t work in public (except schools and hospitals), can’t even sing in the showers. Worst, Saudi girls (despite their Virgin Mary looks are veiled in black from head to toe, even in the blistering summer heat.
I(Against such a back drop, the arrival of a Filipina domestic helper becomes an exotic incongruity in a Saudi Arab household. Her presence, never mind her looks, is more of a threat than an aide to the wife and an object of either fun, sex, or abuse to the dominant house man. By the way, in Saudi it’s the man who goes out supermarketing, accompanied by his spouse, who waits in the lobby while the husband picks the groceries on the shelves. I once asked my Saudi student how he could pick his wife from a bevy of veiled Saudi wives, “instinct and intuition, teacher”, he replied. I suspect, though, it must the strong scent of her wife’s perfume. In a place so different different from her own culture, are abused female OFWs who go home still make news?

‘JUETENG IS BACK 24/7 EVERYWHERE — BISHOP

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090220-190005/Jueteng-is-back-247-everywherebishop

“I must admit that we are losing the battle,” Bishop Cruz told the PDI. “We are losing because money talks. And what can we do? We have only our moral suasion to combat illegal gambling.”

I have always maintained that jueteng cannot be stopped and will continue to proliferate for as long as there are crooked mayors, cops, and politicians sharing in it. The best solution is to pass a law to legalize jueteng and place it under the supervision of the PCSO, just like the sweepstakes and lotto. That way the government benefits from it and the funds generated can be used for public financial assistance. Also, this rids politicians of sources to finance their election campaign besides making mayors and cops become honest. But the problem is the Bishops themselves are against it claiming gambling is immoral, but they never complain when the Pagcor donates them with funds that come from casinos. If this is not hypocrisy I don’t know what. This is also a reason why many are turned off when the bishops criticize others of immorality in government when the same problem exists within the Church. I am a devout catholic but I find it hypocritical when the bishops practice double standards.

Chiz Escudero told the young students to vote for the young but he said later that it was meant to be a joke. The students asked Chiz a sensible question and what they got for a reply was a joke. Was the senator fooling around with the young students or the media? Or was he trying to fool the Filipino people? The young people should watch out for senators like Chiz, they’d never know when the young senator is serious.

Housemaid Irene Alugoc who lost the case of physical abuse she filed against the sister of Sen. Bong Revilla, Princess, should seek the help of Rep. Masa of Gabriela. She had strong evidences like medical certificates and photos showing her bruises but the judge, parhaps afraid of the Revilla name, considered them as insufficient. On the other hand, this incompetent judge gave more credence. to the biased witnesses of Princess. Sus Mariano Ka Indo! Calling Mr. Taberna. Had Irene been an OFW with the same “abused DH” story to tell, it would have a Senator like Bong Revilla who will be the first one to jump to defend her for “Pogi” points, as he did in that case of school bus students hostage case. The Gabriela should fight for the case of this abused housemaid if they want to show their dedication and advocacy for women’s right against the sister of a celebrity, not necessarily productive and hard-working, Senator. This case should not die until justice is given to poor Irene.

21feb2009
lasvegasnv

i will bet a peso to a donut that junking the VFA is just nothing but rhetorics of trapos. pa-pogi moments, we used to say. after all the dust settled from this news-cum hypes about the VFA, it will be all the same as usual.

phil. military armed forces will not function properly and stand on their own two feet without the u.s military aid and training. where can the phil. armed forces will get the state of the art equipments and hands on training that the phil. armed forces personnel badly needs to train in war-fighting and counter-insurgencies. it-the PAF- can’t even provide its military personnel with fully operational basic equipments and supplies of proper uniforms.

there are millions of dollars -military-aids tied to the VFA that phil. govt. can not afford to loose. if only the phil. military personnel knows the real meaning of leadership, only then we can afford to really voice our concerns about the treaty that the phil. govt. officials signed with other foreign countries.

VFA is suppose to be reciprocal in lauguage, but the US is the final arbiter and has the last words, especially regarding its national interests.

kayana2 sends,
lasvegasnv

If the Shootout is proven to be a rubout - and it seems likely so - it is just the tip of the iceberg. Whoever among those guilty of silencing the suspects by hook or by crook must be under orders to do so. This is an intriguing case that might lead to the big whales in the murky waters of law enforcers. Unfortunately the “bad guys” in the car have already been silenced by the bad guys outside car so how can the PNP now find the other bigger bad guys? That’s the
worse tragedy.

Freedom of speech and too many experts.

The Philippines is by far one of the most democratic countries and it is where the freedom of speech is the most abused. Practically anybody can cast his statement without responsibility as to its veracity or truth.

Balanga Bishop says the Bataan Nuclear Plant is unsafe because:

Reputable geologist, Dr. Kelvin Rodolfo, says there is possibility of a volcanic
eruption and an earthquake at the site.

Dr. Nicanor Perlas, an environmentalist, said the BNPP was built without experts
monitoring its construction.

Everyone knows that the Philippines is in the Pacific Rim of Fire, but both doctors should back up their statements with facts and not conjectures. Contrary to the claim of Dr. Rodolfo, the Pinatubo eruption which was in close proximity to BNPP did not cause damage to the nuclear facilities. Also, if it was true, Dr. Perlas should question Westinghouse why the construction of BNPP was not monitored by experts, determine where the defects are and find out if those defects are reparable. He should also ask our government to file proper claims for such negligence.

If BNPP had started operations after its completion, the Philippines would have made use of it for almost twenty long years. Those that opposed its operation then should now look back and see the damage they have done. The bishop, a non-expert on nuclear technology and safety, is now going to defer the BNPP operations for another two decades?

Nothing is absolutely safe on earth. Automobiles all over the world must have caused several times more deaths and environmental damage than a nuclear plant disaster. Why not ban automobiles?

“THE EMBARRASSER’ - that’s the name I will give Alan Cayetano as a senator, not “legislator”, for sure because he hardly has time to that when his mouth is full of negative mortification. First, whenever he speaks, it is always to criticize, to humiliate, to tear down, to look for faults, to complain,to look at the hole of a donut. Simple pleasant and cordial phrases like “that’s good”, “nice”, or “thank you” have never come out of his glib Ateneo tongue. (By the way, Senator Cayetano isn’t a product of the Ateneo Grade School nor the Ateneo High School philosophy of education- where character formation is as important as academics. I think he earned his law degree from the Ateneo Law School in Makati.
The Senator’s boyish looks and ways with words are in contrast to the emptiness of his Pateros Mayoral and now Senatorial track record. He has just demeaned Senator Gordon’s hard work on the finale of the fertilizer fund scam hearing- complaining that Gordon failed to implicate the First Family in the scam, for in Cayetano’s view, the goal of the hearing was to target GMA and the FG, no more no less. Yet, as Gordon had insinuated, Cayetano himself when he was Chairman of the committee that probed the ZTE scandal, did not even formally end the probe with its official findings and recommendations. What he accomplished, however, was to embarrass GMA, the FG, Neri. and Abalos who was forced to resign. But was the scandal formally concluded and the guilty punished? And how is he treating now his hero JLozada? Poor Lozada has been left in the lurch by so many people who exploited him. True, Cayetano belongs to the minority, but is the role of the minority only to bring down the majority? To Cayetano, there is nothing right and there ’s nothing good that GMA does. The fact that despite the devastating economic crisis, GMA is still working hard, legitimately or not, like creating more jobs for those retrenched, meeting with businessmen and industrialists, visiting OFWS to listen to their plights, discussing bi-lateral talks with heads of states - all these presidential work must be wrong in the eyes of Alan Cayetano. Alan “Kahit Ano”, mali.

At this late and dire time of global crisis, the Filipino people don’t give a damn any more if their President is legitimate or not. And speaking of legitimacy, how many “illegitimate” jeepney and bus drivers lead our lives everyday? For as long as the driver delivers his passengers safely home and not crash the vehicle down a deep ravine (as a few coup plotters and destabilizers would want to) GMA stays as cool, if illegitimate, driver of the country. And how many of those anti-Arroyo Congressmen and disgruntled politicians can face their families and say I have no illegitimate wife or child?

The plan to pass a right of reply law is officious on the part of legislators. Right of reply is a given in every democratic press. Media practitioners work under editors, publishers, and station managers, rpofessionals who know their responsibilities, rights, and limitations. Cases of libel go the courts and any erroneous news report that’s not malicious or critical can easily rectified amicably between the offended party and the media- without need of invoking constiitutional right of reply.

However, it is also a given that media wittingly or unwittingly cradle, if not coddle, opinion writers who are one-track minded and hardly admit mistakes or entertain contrary comments and opinions. These writers are entitled to their own biases, myopia, and fanaticism. Media, however, have proven that they can police their own ranks. Ces Drilon, Cristy Fermin, and one columnist (Fernandez?) who maligned OFWs were all penalized administratively for abusing and breaching their professions.

What Congress should focus on is legislation to protect the less literate among readers and viewers who can’t discern truth from propaganda, entertainment from insulting content in media especially television. While malice and rubbish content in newspapers is not forced down our throats, television licenciously invades our homes and spoodfeed us, especially our children, with trashy shows bordering on the ribald like Nuts Entertainment, and miseducation disguised as telenovelas. These soap operas portray Filipinos as cruel, wicked, treacherous, heartless and foul-mouthed people more wicked than Hannibal Lechter. Congress should do something to protect people from getting dumb and dumber as they watch these ridiculous telenovelas.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno said Friday there was “nothing new” in the US State Department’s Human Rights Report which highlighted, among others, alleged corruption in the judiciary, but he said the high court was willing to consider some suggestions to improve the country’s judicial system.

Why does he not open every Judges Bank Accounts, Puno we are not blind, like the court, We can see it every where, Money buys judges.

How can you even pretend that the courts are not corrupt.

Puno and the rest just dont want to open pandora’s Box.

The News Organizations dont want the new law on right of reply? Why because they know the courts are not fair.

The government is made up of 3 Branches, and the judges are the most corrupt since they don’t have to explain any choice to anyone else except their own…

And if your poor, do you think the Senate, ABS-CBN or any other newspaper is going to help you.. No it does not sell news papers. They will only print what makes them money..

The smaller cases go for as little as tens of thousands cash. A nice dinner ? A mistress, Payment for the Maids Yaya’s Xmas Presents..

It never hits the bank accounts…

Lets be honest and take the blind fold off the justice system…

You are corrupt….

ARREST OF SONS IN US DEVASTATES GARCIA

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090228-191526/Arrest-of-sons-in-US-devastates-Garcia

He should have thought of his family before he allowed his insatiable greed took over him. This should serve as lesson to others like Garcia.

Gonzalez: What’s the basis of US report?

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090228-191530/Gonzalez-Whats-the-basis-of-US-report

DOJ Sec. Gonzalez likens it to the World Bank report which he says has no basis in fact. He calls it besmirching the country’s good name and allegations made by the opposition is not?

He did not consider at all that these US agencies, the State Dept. and WB, have more credibility and carry more weight that their accusations should be looked into than allegations that the likes of say Ping Lacson claims to be.

“A pack of wolves” said Senator Gordon aptly describing the collective fertilizer fund scam syndicated by Bolante and his cohorts. Now surfacing is an “family of wolves” - the Garcias, led by an ExGeneral, his wife and three sons. Based on news reports, the Garcias have conspired to runaway with more than $500,000 ill-gotten money. Already, they have spent part of their loot by purchasing luxurious buildings in the prime city of New York. Talk of itchy dirty fingers. In due time, as the US government is in the process of arresting the brothers and their mother who’s still at-large. this pack of wolves will have a much deserved family re-union in prison, sooner or later than the litter of Jocjoc Bolante.

Says Military:
NEGROS, PANAY REDS RUIN P100M PROPERTY

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20090228-191618/Negros-Panay-reds-ruin-P100M-property

Hundreds of million pesos worth of crop, road equipment, commercial and government facilities have been destroyed by the NPAs, not to count the number of lives they murdered. But have you heard the leftist Bayan and its affiliates and sympathizers like Ocampo, Casino, Maza, Mariano and their ilk condemn the NPA or show outrage for their vicious criminal activity? The sympathizers are always quiet.

Even if the Edsa incident were to be called a “Shootout” (because the suspects tested positive of paraffin), this case still ended in a rubout because the police rubbed out all the lives of the suspects inside the car. Why? Ask the PNP.

4-yr wait before nurses land job in US

Just my two cents regarding the thousands of nurses unemployed in the Philippines. The idea of mandatory sending them to the rural areas to gain experience and be more qualified to go abroad is a good well meaning idea. I just feel that the priority is wrong, we are sending them to places where health care is really scarce and have to move/travel to a town where an acceptable care can be provided. We really want them to be trained then leave for an overseas job? We are wasting money left and right, scandal here scandal there. Why not upgrade those facilities in the rural areas, so they can have specialty services e.g. ICU, OR, L&D, ER, RR…Upgrade the basic needs of the people…Why not train them and make it comfortable so they don’t have to leave…no vacuum…the focus is sending more OFW’s to bail out the country is deplorable, our country doesn’t have plans to create jobs to the unemployed and yet we have qualified nurses that graduates year after year. Services are needed in the rural areas but yet we want them to leave for abroad. By doing so, our fellow countrymen are suffering because we are left with people in the government who doesn’t want to leave their post because of greed…Pilipinas kung Mahal!!!!

I notice that the people who go on TV demanding that GMA step down are the same faces and group with the same old words of condemnation. Lately, they did an Iraqi shoe throwing gimickry at GMA’s face. I suggest that this handful of women also throw stones at other corrupt leaders in Congress. It seems they pick on the President to get media coverage and mileage. Ms. Masa of Grabiela was one of these militant women. I wonder if she would throw stone at the US ambassador in support of her constituent Nicole, the girl who did not shout “Rape!” but nevertheless won her case against Smith. Masa, I can smell has higher ambition than just being a party-list Rep for women and of Gabriela.

“Gutierrez: I’m not doing anything wrong”

I totally, completely, agree with the Ombudsman. Hell, eversince, she has not done anything at all. Period.

When I see and hear PDEA Director Santiago talks on the drive against dangerous, somehow I get a feeling of assurance and hope that the drive will succeed. However, whenever I see Ex-Senator Sotto, the Palace-appointed Anti-drug Chief, he looks so unconcerned about the gravity of the drug menace in our country and spends more happy-happy times with his Dabarkads on Eat Bullaga. In fact, as per EB TV pluggings and print ads, the Anti-drug Czar is going to Atlantic City and have fun with the rest of EB .

Shootout/ Rubout?
My story should be: From Murder to Homicide to Self Defense.
My friend was shot in the head by a police (Chief of Police). Autopsy result showed 2 bullet wounds in the head, “directed UPWARDS, POSTERIORWARDS, AND MEDIALWARDS”, which will definitely prove that he was shot lying down. The verdict? Self defense! The other one was shot in the back twice, one in the head. Bullet wounds were all fatal. The verdict? Hpomicide, and sentenced to two years in prison. That is justice in the Philippines.

Representative Barraquel should have distanced herself from the move to oust Ombudsman Gutierrez. She has been very visible on television recently speaking her mind out on the various issues of the day. Now, I know why- she wants to be a senator and is only adding more “Ganda” points to her senatorial ambition. I don’t support Gutierrez but with Barraquel’s active role against the Ombudmans, the embattled Gutierrez has a point that the campaign against her is “Politically colored”. Believe it nor not.

Our justice and penance system sucks. Even Ninoy,were he alive today, would have felt pity for the men who were convicted for his murder. Freed after more than twenty years in prison, not one of the convicts ever confessed he was guilty. Everyone claims that he suffered and languished in jail for a crime he didnt do. They don’t seem to feel any remorse for each of them thinks he was not guilty. They are even willing to have the Ninoy murder case re-opened if only to clear their names. Although they are happy to be set free, these fathers have already lost more than twenty years that they could have spent in the company of their loved ones, especially their childrem whom they didn’t even see grow up to become men. If justice had been fair, these fathers would have
had a fuller life. Unfortunately in those twenty years, not even the wife of Ninoy failed to find and convict the guilty brains behind his murder. Even Gloria Arroyo could only give these convicts their freedom but not catch the real culprit.

Small time illegal recruiters are sending victims to Bangkok as Tourist first. People from mostly urban places in visayas and mindanao were commonly their target. Promising them a job is urgently waiting for them. At the end, they will be left abandoned and they will be forced to find their own job. If these victims would just file a complaint in the Phil Embassy, then investigations and arrest is possible for these perpetuators.

But in my 8 years of stay here in Bangkok. I do find Filipinos can easily find a Job even without the assistance of any recruiting agency. There are no hassles and yet instead of putting their money to placement agencies, they could use the money for their allowance and job can be found in 2-3 months the least. I firmly believe that it is but practical, safe and advantagous for us Filipinos who can seem to speak english more confidently than the Thai locals.

From my knowledge, I only heard about 2 Schools who are legitimately recruit teachers to be assigned on different government public schools in the provinces. The Chulalongkorn group and the Kasetsart group.. other than this are unknown for many. Filipinos or other Foreigners are mostly hooking up at http://www.ajarn.com for interested teaching job positions.

I am really so perturbed by the way the PDIC is treating the recently closed rural banks around the country. If they truly have the funds to pay and settle the claims of depositors of the said deposed banks, then why do they seek for financial assistance or loan from the BSP? Now that it’s been rejected by the head of financial institutions, why this sole banking insurance agency is taking too long to start paying out the time depositors of the rural banks? Their excuse has been redundant saying that they are still validating the accounts; but it’s really way too long, as compared to car insurance or life insurance by various insurance firms. It should sound the alarm that no depositors are safe in the bank they keep an account with. If it is true that PDIC offers insurance to banks on the rock, then the delay might just turn around the impression among the investors, and this could just mar the fairly stable banking industry we have right now in the midst of global crisis…

EDSA ENCOUNTER NOT A RUBOUT, SAYS PAO CHIEF

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20090307-192891/Edsa-encounter-not-a-rubout-says-PAO-chief

Let’s put this in the right perspective. It was a legit encounter and exchange of fire between the victims and the cops. Except that last single act of shot by a cop to finish off a mortally wounded victim. That’s a case for the CHR to resolve.

FREED CONVICTS DIDN’T KILL NINOY — CHAPLAIN

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090308-192936/Freed-convicts-didnt-kill-Ninoychaplain

Noynoy Aquino has been searching for the truth. He wants to know the mastermind behind the assassination of his father Ninoy. Cory too wanted to know who gave the order to kill her husband. But for six years she was president she did not lift a finger to find out. She must be so naive to believe that the person whoever he/she is would come out and confess. For years people’s suspicion has been centered on two persons Imelda and Danding Cojuangco. The witnesses who could testify on this had died leaving only Col. Rolando Abadilla and the convicted soldiers. Abadilla was the perfect witness since he was Metrocom chief at the time and assigned to make sure Galman did his job on Ninoy. But Cory nor Noynoy did not bother to question Abadilla during the ten years he was alive. Abadilla was later assassinated allegedly by NPAs in 1996.

For years it’s been generally known that one of the convicted soldiers who admitted direct participation in the Ninoy murder pointed to Cory’s cousin Danding as involved in the plot but the Aquinos refused even to have him investigated.

So, today the convicted soldiers are freed after serving their prison sentence and Noynoy is still searching. But Noynoy is also naive that his uncle’s involvement is highly impossible. Noynoy wants to know the truth, but too afraid to handle it if he comes to face the truth.

NUNS WILL NOT PROTECT MANCAO

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20090307-192882/Nuns-will-not-protect-Mancao

These religious sisters will not give sanctuary to whistle blower Mancao because they decided he is a criminal. They are not even judges and already they declared Lozada innocent of any crime. They did not believe that Lozada who admitted his role as fixer/broker for kickbacks in govt contracts, facing criminal charges against him for illegal activities in the Phil Forestry Corp., and self-confessed greed moderator of NEDA Sec. Romy Neri was guilty of any crime. This so-called religious group is not even a judicial organization and already they decided Lozada is innocent and Mancao a criminal. For these people, what’s important about Lozada is they can use him in bringing down GMA and her husband.

The lives of two innocent murdered victims whose killers will be exposed by whisleblower Mancao do not carry the value to these nuns as the overpricing of the NBN ZTE contract because Lozada can possibly help bring down GMA while the Dacer-Corbito murder will not. The nuns could not care less if the twin murder is linked to the highest level of the Erap administration. But if it links GMA that’s another matter.

Perhaps if Mancao’s testimony will link GMA directly to the murder these nuns will lose no time giving sanctuary to Mancao. These nuns are phony as they are hypocrites.

If the PAO lawyer wants people to buy her theory that the EDSA encounter was a shoot out, she also has to convince us that those pursuing agents must be sharp shooters. Imagine, the good guys were able to hit the three bad guys dead on the right places inside their closed cars while exchanging fire with the good guys. I say, their rifles must be habe been armed with sniper scopes. The PAO has absolutely no video, no nothing except saliva and speculation to prove a shoot out. While the ABS-CBN video may not be of Holliwood caliber but they were comprehensive enough to show: 1. the police did not stay away from the victims’ car 2.they did not cordone the area for public safety. 3. they did not use a megaphone to demand the suspects’ surrender. 4. there was no visible and audible EXCHANGE of fire. 5. the driver-suspect was dragged out and shot in a prone position as the barrel of the agent’s rifle was facing downward.

What other evidence does the lady lawyer want? A Dick Tracy movie? We respect and need the police, but when they make blatant overkill mistakes (as seen on TV, commercials say), we can not consider them heroes as she thinks they are. Even if this encounter were finally considered a shoot out, the unfortunate has already happened: that a shoot out rubbed out all the whys and wheresfores of the suspects true identities and their brains, if any. Talk of a shoot out that rubs out.

sonny Says:
March 5th, 2009 at 10:04 pm

“I am really so perturbed by the way the PDIC is treating the recently closed rural banks around the country.”

It seems you were just been born yesterday. Can you not see, our government is number one most corrupt in Asia and second most corrupt in the world!

These Chinese Dominated Government of ours has the penchant of collecting loans for what ever stupid purpose it may serve.

After collecting the fees and taxes, it does not course the funds to what purpose it should serve.

What happens is that all the collections goes elsewhere and spent on mundane and useless projects (to justify stealing these funds).

When such occurance happens just like the closure of Rural Banks, the funds in the form of insurance is gone!

Do not feel purturb, you are just hurting yourself while the corrupt officials is making a hayday!

132
pompeyo pedroche Says:
March 5th, 2009 at 9:32 am

“Our justice and penance system sucks. Even Ninoy,were he alive today, would have felt pity for the men who were convicted for his murder.”

May I contradict your statement. I was onboard Philippine Airline from Tiepe just a four minutes after the Teipe Airline that landed ahead of us.

I can still remember the face of the “Immigration Officer” who met us in the tube connected to our airplane.

She was almost in tears when she said, “Ninoy is gone.”

As my mind is concentrated on other matters, I just ignored her remark.

Outside the departure area, hundreds of well-wisher, with placards, did not yet know what happen in the tarmac.

There LEADER was murdered!

I only realize what the immigration officer meant when later on the taxi driver mentioned that Ninoy is dead!

I followed up the investigation, and I felt and still believe a PARTICULAR EVIDENCE. In the tape (press people where onboard Ninoy’s flight) got a sound in their video. “Pusila (shoot!) pusila (shoot!), then the resounding shot reverberate.

Galman’s body is near the armored van.

Is he a sharp shooter? What about the sound Pusila!

All these is history, BUT I WAS JUST FOUR MINUTES LATE!

We have heard of old western cowboy movies where brothers robbed banks. Maybe, ex-General Garcia read a lot of thiese hollywood movies and created his own family of thieves. Poor children.

CLENCHED FIST MARS OMBUDSMAN’S PARTY

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090310-193252/Clenched-fist-mars-Ombudsmans-party

As the beleaguered Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez had her loyal followers in her office rally around her in a show of support, Special Prosecutor Villa-Ignacio raised a clenched fist during a flag ceremony. Villa-Ignacio was criticized for that behavior by the Ombudsman’s followers as over-acting. Not content with that, a giant billboard stood by the office building for the public to know the solidarity and loyal support her followers have given her. The Ombudsman probably thinks advertising the love her followers have dutifully shown her will absolve her of any wrong doing. Gutierrez did not seem to realize that this is self-serving and the few who went with that harebrained idea are considered “sip sip”. She is pathetic for putting up this childish idea.

Interesting about the House so how many do i know about now lets see who has given away houses as “Incentives”

Mayor of Makati gave a house to a certain friend. Not sure where he got it?

A Judge gave her cousin a House n Makati , Why because she could no longer hide the extras she was getting..

And now the SEC guy gets one for his son..

Amazing Now of course there is no corruption..

Of course this will be denied, Noticed the Binay for President, I thought they were not allowed to start Advertising, Ahh i keep forgetting one law for the people no law for the politician - mayor - judge - and now SEC..

Pompeyo Pedroche is on the right track here most of the time..

The two lady witnesses did the Senate Legacy hearing a lot of favor. What with t were in good terms with de los Angeles?he mountains of affidavits and documents that they brought to pin down their former employer Celso de los Angeles. Does that mean the two are already immune from culpability? Remember, the two were occupying top positions in Legacy until they decided to do an about face. How about before when they were still in good terms with de los Angeles? Had they always been do-nothing dummies or Were also recepient of manahs from heaven? I think the probe should check also their properties, assets, and life styles. This way the public will have a better perspective of the entire case. I bet de los Angeles does not want to be lonely and as they say “Misery needs company”.

Will a lawyers’ lawyer explain to this ignorant Pinoy why public defender, Ms. Persida Acosta, is now lawyering for the PNP? Her office is so-named Public Attorney Office purportedly to assist and defend the interest of the “public”, meaning the people, right?. How come she is openly defending the accused PNP agents who are under government employ. Those dead suspects, guilty or not, were citizen victims who are part of the public. Acosta should be lawyering for the CHR who represents public interest I think Ms.Acosta is trying TO RUN WITH THE HARE AND HUNT WITH THE HOUNDS, simulateneously. Sus Mariano Ka Indo, what’s happening to our society?

Another point: Righlt or wrongly, she successfully worked for the release of about a dozen Aquino-Gallman murder case. In effect she defended the perpetrators not the victim of the crime.

DEFENDING DICTATORS AND PILLORYING VICTIMS

http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/letterstotheeditor/view/20090310-193435/Defending-dictators-and-pillorying-victims

A letter to PDI editor condemns Sen. Enrile for his callous remarks blaming Pres. Cory for not knowing her husband’s killers. He instead blames Enrile for defending dictators and asks what kind of people do we allow to run our governments? Well, the same kind of mindless unthinking naive people who voted for them. Like those who want Erap to run for president again. They never learn and are the first ones to complain when things go bad.

The usurped highest post is responsible for all the mess the senate (with beneficiary posts courtesy of the double coup) has been faced with to investigate. The senate is asking the SEC commissioners to resign en masse. They have the coustesy not to ask the two highest commissioners palace tenants to vacate stolen posts immediately. The merry go round mess of appointing commissioners in various graft ridden government offices has been unraveling from the start. Will it ever stop? Not when the 2 highest commissioners call the shots in a grand mafia like conspiracy with all the lords, generals, ceo’s, political kingpins, etc., in this bloody mess of a usurped regime. I call the honorable senators to resign instead and just join us the people in the streets.

Commissioner Barin pride herself as a septuagerian with a spot less public service of more than half her life. Having been the in service for so long, she must now know what Delicadeza, negligence, and command reposnbility mean. Senator Enrile is right: that the SEC is not a one-man but a collegial commission like the three musketeers’ spiel “One for all and all for one”. What one commissioner knows and does should be in coordination with the rest. Besides, Barin is heading only a handful not dozens of subordinates, there’s no excuse for failing to monitor and control them (if she’s indeed a good leader in the commissioner). It’s said that in age there is wisdom, but the old lady doesn’t show so. She is clinging to her position like a leech. The most dignified thing for her to do is to retire, not in response to Enrile’s deman, but to save the SEC from future toothless and incompetent commissioner like her.

PAY ABU SAYYAF P50M OR ATTACK

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090311-193629/Pay-Abu-Sayyaf-P50M-or-attack

This band of killers, extortionists, kidnappers and thieves have no place in our society. They are the scums of the earth and have since become the worst a human being can be. They must be removed. Be that as it may, if their victims are recovered or not, the government must do everything in its power and use every means possible to destroy every one of the Abu Sayyaf. The claim that poverty is the root cause of kidnapping by the Abu Sayyaf is not a legitimate reason and is unacceptable.

CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT
Palace cheers Teodoro’s plan to run in 2010

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090312-193663/Palace-cheers-Teodoros-plan-to-run-in-2010

There goes Chiz Escudero’s hope to be chosen as NPC’s candidate for president in 2010. Teodoro is Danding Cojuangco’s well-loved nephew and uncle Danding is head of NPC party. Blood is thicker than water, you know. So too is Loren who once again will be lost if not chosen NPC’s candidate like what happened in 2004 when she didn’t know if Lacson or FPJ would take her as their VP.

For Malacanang, the choice for Teodoro is like manna from heaven. A former House rep, he is qualified, a graduate of Harvard, and a doer. He works quietly behind the scene, unlike Escudero who produces more noise and who never learnd to make short and snappy replies instead of long winded sentences that become like self-winding speeches.

WHERE CHAIN OF COMMAND ENDS

http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/letterstotheeditor/view/20090312-193638/Where-chain-of-command-ends

So, the good retired general is saying the military is bound by the Constitution to protect the people against a bad president and without saying it, should remove that president.

This is like saying it in oxymoronic way. The general suggests to follow the Constitution by protecting the people, while at the same time violate the Constitution by overthrowing a leader who was constitutionally elected by the people. He obviously does not believe in removing a president through constitutional means. Must be a war-freak general who thinks violent action is a means to an end.

You moderated my previous comment. Thanks. Sorry about that. Just the same, we’ve got to get to the root of all the mess the people are being subjected to. Why do appointees partner with shady wheelers and dealers and dip their fingers into the people’s money too? Because that’s what the one who appoints them does hideously all the time along with the mob. The left hand keeps dipping as the right hand steers bravely or nervously? We’ll soon see.

If it will console PNP Superintendent Bartolome to know, Television especially the telenovelas are not only unfair to the PNP but to the entire Filipino people. Telenovelas see only the whole in the donut. It accents the negative, the bad eggs and say nothing about the rest of the good eggs.

TV soap operas are doing portraying us, the people, as the most wicked, cruel, treacherous, foul-mouthed, black-hearted, hypocritical people on this planet. Just watch one of these dramas, listen to the dialogue, the irritating scenes, and you’ll see what I mean. The producers, writers, and directors of these “Malterpieces” do not understand human nature, common sense, our character and culture as a people. I have a suspicion that these These “artists” don’t know what constitute art and human drama. They are mis-educating visitors and feeding our children wrong and negative social values.

It’s not about AUTONOMY, it’s all about MONEY!!

Reading the article on the 50M ransom on the 3 ICRC workers makes me shake my head. As a citizen of Mindanao, i don’t think the abductors will listen to any negotiator even from the “Muslim big shots”. This reality is no longer about the principles and beliefs of the true and faithful Islamic community. Being a Muslim now is used as an excuse to abduct people for ransom in the facade of Bangsamoro autonomy. What a shame! I believe Allah would even disown these abductors for using his name in committing crimes against humanity.

I’ll jump from the tallest building in Manila if Celso de los Angeles will ever go to jail or anybody involved in these Legacy mess. So, please, people from PDIC, BSP or NBI or what have you, don’t waste the time and money of the government if you cannot put criminals to jail. Your filing of cases against Celso de los Angeles is USELESS!

All the locally-produced human drama on greed, corruption, intrigue, and scams that we have witnessed unfold before our eyes have bot given us any satisfying ending. Now comes a Hollywood blockbuster in the hands of another so-called “witness” Mancao, coming soon in a theatre near you. I think I need more bags of popcorn.

Increasing the number of congressmen means mathemiatically and analogically increasing the amount of corruption.This is arithmetic is piece of cake even a fifth grader.

The Philippines is only a nation of small islands, like an insignificant minuscule smudge of dirt on a wall to wall carpet. Compare this to the United States which has fifty one states, each (except NJ and R.I.) is ten times larger than the Philippines but does not need that much number of congressmen.

If only congressmen are known to be dedicated lawmakers that would be a welcome idea. The more the merrier.
Unfortunately, Congressman Zialcita has just proven that false. He is collecting one hundred thousand pesos every month as consultant for a nefarious company for doing nothing, yes, nothing for the people he’s supposed to represent.
And do we need more Zilacitas to rob the people?
How can the the interest of the poor people of distant places like Aparri and Sulu be honestly represented by their congressmen who reside and live-it up in swanky Metromanila? Rep-resent them by remote control?

More congressmen means more traffic jams with more cars with more noisy wangwangs, more bossy bodyguards, more wasteful talk in congress halls, more queridas, more coffee breaks, more low plate numbers on more cars in more parking lots, more lobbyist for more secret deals. This plan is an extrapolation of every social problem imaginable.

I pray Senator Enrile isn’t serious in pushing this ludicrous idea unless his ulterior motive is to set a violent social conflagration in the country.

I hope

WB TO OMBUDSMAN: EVIDENCE IN BID DOCUMENS

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090313-193855/WB-to-Ombudsman-Evidence-in-bid-documents

Of course, the evidence is there for all to see but the Ombudsman needs some excuses as some VIP is bound to get hurt. It was a classic orchestrated act of song-and-dance at the senate hearing betrween Lady Miriam and Ombudsman Gutierrez where an angry Miriam lambasted the World Bank country manager for refusing to give evidence and as if on cue, Gutierrez replied angrily waving a piece of paper which she termed a useless referral paper from the WB which cannot be used in court. What she did not say was a full WB report has been sitting on her desk gathering dust for over a year already.

i was reading about the stimulus package the government is pushing for to help us go through these tough times. im really not familiar with it nor am i familiar with the projects its prioritizing.

but being somewhat connected to rural banking, i see how tough it is for rural banks these days with or without the help of the government. again, im really not familiar with the subject, whether the govenrment really is helping the banks or not. all i know from what i hear is that these are tough times for these banks.

i think it was manny villiar who i heard once in a speech that said that the rural bankers are important in the balance of our society because they give loans directly to the lower classes of the society. i think its obvious. i guess im biassed.

but if we think about it, if the rural banks close, where will our countrymen from the rural areas run to to start up their business or to add capitals etc. i think we should concentrate on them because they are the ones who directly affect the lives of our people. if we want our economy to be resilient, the government must lend more help to rural banking. it will create more jobs in the countryside and keep the flow of commerce going.

also, i think the media on its part has to help to. this is an issue. as been said, rural banking is an important part of our society. i really dont watch the news but only read the paper and its not too often that the media covers this issue. perhaps thats why i really am not familiar with the issue itself because i dont read them. my knowledge is limited to that which my friends and relatives from the rural banking field has told me. i dont read them on the news that much. or atleast as much as i should to educate me.

This is a comment occasioned by having to wait for several papers’ action on new findings refuting allegations of errors published in this paper by Go. Despite letters to the editor, including of this paper via DepEd’s Communications Group, it seems facts will not come to light unless forced into the eye of the public, Go having been so valorized.

Based on my independent pro bono review requested by the DepEd, to validate Go and Ateneo’s findings, had Del Mundo, the writer of the article on new textbook errors, validated Go’s findings, not 500 but 76 supposed errors will be noted. Of these, 45 are spurious claims by Go, constituting distortion of text, misapplication of context and a lack of grounding on literary theory and criticism. Each act of distortion constitutes, in the discipline of scholarship, an educator’s violation of ethics and an act of intellectual dishonesty. Go’s creating errors to dramatize the existence of other errors should not be tolerated. The unscrupulous means does not justify the end.

I can challenge anyone to review the findings, including existing documentation I have prepared that will be readily available to anyone who asks, as these had already been forwarded to the Phil Star, Mla Bulletin, Ateneo, and the Catholic Educational Association of the Phils (CEAP). For once, let us meet and present the issues fairly and with critical insight, in the name of truth, which is what scholarship, the media, education, public service and advocacy are all about. I can be contacted anytime needed, and will in fact want to face Go to make him answerable for his method.

Rosella M Torrecampo
Associate Professor, UP

Command responsibility need not be made into a law. It is fundamental unwritten principle in a democratic society, particularly in the military where chain of command is an accepted code. Anak Bayan leader is only trying to vent his ire at the military whom he thinks are responsible for the rape and death of a rebel’s daughter. If this is going to be law, I hope it will cover also the members of the Lower House where the corruption of one is the corruption of all. especially the Speaker.Otherwise, it’s better if such an idea is junked.

Surveys do more harm than good. They are only meant to fish for bribes fron candidates to see to it they will win the next survey. In the first place, these surveys are run by shrewd businessmen. Only the dumb who have no minds of their own believe in them.

I was just wondering, with the calls for an abrogation for the VFA, and the fallout as a result of a successful termination of that agreement such as the reduction of aid to the Philippines from the US, the end to all modernization of the Philippine military (which by the way would lose very easily to any country in the event of a shooting war- does China come to mind??). Where will the Philippines turn to for help not if but WHEN China decides to claim the Spratly islands with the use of military force. Do you actually think the US would immediately come to the aid even when the Philippines invokes the Mutual Defense Treaty? Do you think Australia would even bother putting their people at risk for the sake of the “proud Filipino” and their twisted sense of nationalism?

Wake up people, you are dirt poor, undereducated, third world pissant nation that does not even have a decent Air Force or Navy to speak of, nevermind the Army and the so-called Marines… Corrupt all around, whiny little cry babies. You complain about that girl being raped? Why was she hanging out with those guys in the first place? Alcohol and horny US Marines do not go together. That is like teasing a hungry rottweiler with a piece of steak. Was she hoping that she could find a man to marry her and take her out of her misery and take her whole family out of the garbage dump they are living in? First of all, you need to get rid of that stupid little dwarf of a president you have and then get rid of all those corrupt military turned cabinet advisors that she put in office and then maybe that country will have something to be proud of. Quit voting for actors that cant even read and write properly and for sucks fake (yeah if you knew what that meant, then you can keep reading) quit admiring obama. you do not know anything about American politics and what that idiot is doing to our country so just stop with the obama adulation already. That is why Filipinos were called brown little monkeys at one time.

Jeepneys are said to be “rolling coffins” ; now, with the ABS-CBN crew being mauled and jailed inside a PNP precinct, we have a new metaphor;

MAULING STATION

Jesus Mariano Ka Indo!, US VISA lang pala ang halaga ng puri ng isang dalagang Pilipina. Imagine all the sound and fury that this weeping girl Nicole caused our country that reached diplomatic level, eh ngayon pala “America” lang pala ang gusto niya. So I am right from the start when I wrote that Nicole was looking for “White” fun so she went with four American G.I.s, one of whom (Smith) had sex with her, that she was dropped by the roadside whcih indignified her. But SMITH DID NOT RAPE THAT GIRL!

So where are those anti-VFA and Anti-US groups? Tinakbuhan na kayo ng inyong Idol na si Nicole. And paradoxically sa USA pa nag-punta, maybe pa-ra-rape na naman so she will become an American Citizen. The American Dream, Mission Accomplished.

WHAT HAPPENED TO NICOLE?

First, Nicole is smarter than you think. She has had this American dream in her mischievous mind for very long. In the heat of one night, she went drinking with four white GI’s, and along the tryst had safe consensual sex with the youngest-looking clean-cut Smith. She knew she wasn’t rape, but due to her traumatic anti-climax being dropped along the roadside, she, backed by anti-american elements, sued for rape.

Second, when she won her case, she saw her American dream at the end of the rainbow. She allowed the issue to boil over until it reached diplomatic level. She knew the US had no choice but to blink and offer her deal: a US visa plus pocket money.

Third, she grabbed it and exploded “Deal!”
Then dropped her rabid lawyer in the lurch like a hot potato.

Fourth, her mother concocted this American BF story - that this fictitious BF is asking her to join him. Talk of another case of a mother pimping her own daughter. Her desire to let them be and move on in life is a lot of bull.

Fifth, Nicole deliberately left in a hush without the knowledge of her lawyer. That’s part of the deal.

Sixth, now Nicole is in the land of her dream, America. And she will live there “Happily Ever After”.

Seventh, wait for the next chapter in The Continuing Saga of Nicole. Soon in the theater near you.

JUN LOZADA’S HYPOCRISY CONTINUES

JUN LOZADA’S HYPOCRISY CONTINUES

Asked to comment on the reported appointment to the SEC of Manuel Gaite who advanced 500,000 pesos to reimburse him of his expenses in Hongkong while hiding from the senate investigation, Jun Lozada said all the crooked friends of Malacanang had been amply rewarded including friend Romy Neri who is now head of the SSS.

Jun Lozada, a self-confessed ex-government fixer cum greed moderator, did not consider himself a crook because he obviously believes he’s been absolved of his crimes by the religious nuns and La Salle brothers caring for him now.

Liza Masa and Riza Baraquel are angry that one Filipina was raped. They are not that angry that the Filipino culture has also been raped by America again and again.

You two and the rest of the pseudo nationalist politicians in Congress see nothing wrong when our youth mimic everything American- from their manner of dressing, their songs, their dances, even their demeanor. Everything about us, our culture and traditions being raped by America, yet you choose this singular Nicole scandal to advance your political agenda. The VFA is nothing to our subservience to America culture. If you hate America, you hate yourselves because everything about you is American.

This is regarding the March 18 print out of Nicole’s picture and real name….

Whether it was the DOJ Secretary’s opinion that this was “ok” (never mind that he cannot keep his chauvinism to himself in cases like the Hultmans, and in Nicole’s — where he said she has nothing to lose (whether the case will be appealed or not) and that she would be enjoying her trip to the US nevertheless), I believe that the Inquirer would have done well to exercise its own judgment on whether exposing Nicole’s photo/identity is already (to use Atty. Ursua’s words), “fair game”.

A public document is one thing (as Sec. Raul G. said that she already signed her name… ), but public exposure is another…

This case is not closed, and is not a personal one for that matter. What Smith did was a crime against the Filipino people.. and the US is protecting him for it.

Happy Women’s month to all…

The release of convicted child-rapist Jalosjos shows that there is a different kind of justice for the rich and well-connected. How could such a monster be released? This sends the message that the rich and powerful need not fear any consequences for their actions, and that common people cannot rely on our system of government to defend them nor to ensure that justice be served.

Do you know who really raped Nicole?:

LIZA MASA AND HER GABRIELA and every psuedo nationalist anti-American element in our society. They gang-raped nicole. They raped Nicole’s loose morals and immaturity, taking away her personal indipendence, and acted as her “Bantay-Salakay”. They all pressured Nicole in her dark hours to sue for rape (even when she had doubts if she really was raped). These leftists pretended to be fighting for her honor only because SMITH is American, not because their hearts bled for her. Had Smith been Mr.Pinoy Nobody, you wouldn’t even know who this loquacious Masa woman is.

URSUA SAYS, “I have known Nicole for years to gauge that she couldn’t have written in such depth, in such flawless grammatically-detailed Affidavit. Well, Attorney, that’s why there are lawyers (like you) to assist their less literate or inarticulate clients (like Nicole) so they can not make unwitting lies. I bet my ass that you also coached Nicole in documenting her complaint against Smith during the trial? Now that her affidavit was made through another lawyer, you are now discrediting the integrity of your own former client. You behave like a spurned lover and you are now sour graping. No wonder the word “Lawyer” rhymes with “Liar”, forgive the pun.

MASA SAYS, amid the latest on Nicole’s recantation, “SANA HUWAG MAG-PAGAMIT ANG APELLATE COURT”. But it’s you Miss Masa who got a lot of free publicity by using Nicole to the hilt to advance your leftist advocacy, di ba? What goes around, comes around like a Boomerang.

CLARA PADILLA says, “There’s a strong clamour to abrogate the VFA” - FALSE.
There’s a handful of misguided anti-American whiners - TRUE. It’s only because they are always on TV the reason they appear strong. If only media will publish the opinions of those who are not on TV but don’t believe their brand of ideology, Padilla will realize that compared to the silent majority, they are minsicule to impact the Filipino people.

All of the comments here relates to the deteriorating morality of the Philippines and their once respected place in the world community. I for one was proud of the country but nowadays, the state of our republic - represented by it’s leaders - is not something ot be proud of. The republic is in itself represented by TRAPOS - truly are basahans literally - who does not have credibility. They do not stand for higher moral grounds and make decisions based on ” what is in it for them?” Thus, the republic needs a leaders who stands for higher moral grounds and has the track record in doing good for the greater Filipino. No one else comes close to Gov Panlilio. If he will run in 2010, and not assasinated, I will definitely donate at least $500 for his campaing and even solicit my friends for additional donations. The country needs new leaders who will not put more money in their pockets and take care of the country and its hard working people. We, as global Filipinos, to ensure that this happens so we can truly be proud of the republic!

The tug-o-war between the two networks is all about money, not Manny. It’s not for the sake of their Kapuso or Kapamilya fans, but for the love of the commercials that will rake them huge amount of money. If Hatton doesn’t knock our champ, the networks will.

Which brings me to my point: that celebrity icons should not be branded like cows. They owe their success to themselves neither to theiri agents nor to the network. The public doesn’t care whether Charice sings Channel 2 or Channel 7, she is still Charice, the child diva vida; and Manny will win or lose whether the match will be shown on the Kapuso or Kapamilya Channel.

It’s only in our society where televiewers must choose or lose, If you watch ASAP, you are a Kapamilya; if you watch SOP you are a Kapuso. What a joke! Networks rob the veiwer’s independent and personal identity, like initiating him to become an APO or Sigma Rhoan brother. This branding practice is a big joke on us, the consumers. Let us unite and give both of the networks a dose of their medicine. Let’s all call this KAPLASTIKAN.

Mr. Tony Blair is wrong when he stated that there are two Islam - moderate and extremist - and that there is a titanic struggle for the future of Islam.

There is only ONE ISLAM.

What Mr. Blair might be referring is limited to the POLITICS of the REGION. I am sad that he equate the politics in the region as ISLAM. As an expert on dealing with IRA he should have known that some political groups have strong ties with religion but we never heard them as saying those religion as Exteremist or Moderate.

Mr. Blair also expressed his reason why he joined the campaign of Mr. Bush against Iraq. I am beginning to fear that it is his ignorance of Islam that made him join Mr. Bush’s Crusade.

Mr. Blair is not Muslim. It is unfortunate that he wants to tell Muslims how to practice Islam. Will he tell non-Muslims or non-believers of faith how to be how they are?

Mr. Blair expressed his willingness to help in the Mindanao Conflict. I hope our government or the MILF will not accept this. Mr. Blair has no Idea about Islam. He might not differentiate it from being Moro. He might not even know that Great Britain has a share in the woes of Mindanao by taking away Sabah from the Sultan of Sulu by striking a deal with Spain. When the Sultan then thought he could depend on the British.

I am now sad and scared that a lot of Filipinos are just taking in what Mr. Blair has to say

The Mindanao-Muslim situation is our own internal problem. It is a problem between brothers and we shouldn’t bring outsiders in to solve our problems. Besides, Tony Blair isn’t exactly the ideal intermediary to settle our Muslim problem; he is not popular within the Arab-Muslim circles because of his infamous participation in the invasion of Iraq. He was not able to prevent the invasion of Gaza and did little to improve the situation on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

It may be true that he helped solve the Ireland conflict but then that was their own internal problem and although some US presidents did try to help, they too failed miserably because they are external to the problem itself.

How many British prime ministers tried their hands to settle the Ireland conflict and failed? The final solution that brought peace to Ireland was reached after so many difficulties and failures; it took years of sincere dialogs and understanding to arrive at a mutual peace agreement.

It would be worthwhile for us travel back into the past century and study why four or five decades ago we do not have the problems that we are encountering today; make that as the starting point for all future negotiations and, maybe, a fuller understanding can be established even if we cannot reach a full agreement.

Tony Blair is no magician and we shouldn’t be too over-optimistic. There is also that possibility that Blair can be rejected by the Muslims the moment they feel that he is siding with the government and on the other hand, Blair may propose conditions that the Philippine government finds them hard to swallow. We must also be aware of the fact that the relationship between UK and Malaysia, our southern neighbor, is on a much higher level of importance; Blair, naturally, would want to protect the interests of Malaysia, a British ally, over that of the Philippines.

The importance of the international sea lanes south of the Philippines is becoming more and more prominent. Those sea lanes are vital to the West and the West does not want piracy on the high seas or untoward developments to evolve in that area, like what happened in Somalia.

For the Philippines, whatever peace agreement we can reach with our Muslim brothers will always be a very fragile one because we are bound on the south by mostly Islamic countries that constantly influence our Muslim population in that region.

The toy guns now look no different from the real ones. What would Binay say if somebody pulls a toy gun on him or a Makati policeman?

Only individuals violent in character would resort to gimmickry using deadly weapons in real life to terrorize innocent people..

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20090325-196117/Palace-backs-police-probe-on-Estrada-Binay

No one is a above the law?

Well i guess you have never been to Makati.

Take a stroll down JP Rizal outside the Town Hall.

I can promise even Binay’s Election Office is breaking the law.

Posters already up for his election as President.

AS PER MMDA…

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is implementing the “Disiplina sa Bangketa” or Road Discipline, which includes the removal of all types of illegal encroachments along roadways and sidewalks. The Authority is also implementing the Rules and Guidelines on Pink Line, which prohibits all types of structures and activities, and the installation of billboards and signage, whether permanent or temporary.

In case of city or municipal roads like J. P. Rizal Street and Makati Avenue in Makati City, the concerned local government units, through their respective City/Municipal Building Officials, are responsible for enforcing P.D. 1096, otherwise known as the National Building Code of the Philippines, and similar existing laws and ordinances.

As to your query regarding height of sunshades/awnings and parking requirements, P.D. 1096 requires that:

All establishments shall pave as well as maintain the mandatory 5.0-meter legal easement/parking areas from the front monument line to building line of their respective establishment or institution; and

Parking width must be at least 4.0 meters; and,

Buildings’ sunshades and awnings must not be lower than 2.40 meters and must have a set back of 3.0 meters from the curb.

tony blair is a puppy , who was following uncles sam’s self proclaimed war on terrorism against afganistan and iraq…now people are smarter, we all know that the 911 was an escape goat created by the us to use it against their own people and make them afraid. so that they would be controlled by BUSH and his so claled patriot act….

what a shame!…to BLAIR, get out…i feel ashamed that ATENEO gave him a jersey…boooo!

I would like to compliment Ms. Jeannette Andrade on her excellent and well-researched write-up on Dr. Vietrez D. Abella, Luzon winner of the “Diamonds in the Rough” search for community doctors 2008, sponsored, among others, by the Phi Kappa Mu fraternity of the UP College of Medicine, the UPCM, and the Rotary Club of Paco. The article was published last March 21, Saturday, in the PDI.

There’s just one part in the article that people close to me have called my attention to, and that is the part which read:

“But her choice of being a doctor to the barrios has not always been supported by her mother, Ethel David. ‘My mother was hesitant. She said I might be too overqualified for the place,’ she laughingly recalls. But after two years, her mother ’saw the wisdom’ of her decision.”

My first impulse was to just let the matter rest. After all, to protest is to call attention to what was probably unread by most, or, if read, soon forgotten. Another impulse was to let my daughter, Dr. Abella, correct it herself. But since Dr. Abella is at present attending a conference in Baguio on water districts, the continuing reaction to this particular portion made me decide to write you myself. While the portion in question is not particularly out of line, in the context of the whole article, particularly in its juxtaposition with the supposed reaction of my husband, the implication, according to the others who have read it, somehow make me out to be the “villain” or the “kontra-bida”.

It is true that when Dr. Abella, whom we call Vey at home, told us soon after her marriage that she and her husband will try and make a go of it in Virac, that we were apprehensive. And I say we, because even my husband, her father Dr. David, expressed his apprehensions, although in private, and only to me. Firstly, neither my husband nor I came from Virac or anywhere from the Bicol region. Vey’s husband’s mother did, but she had long since settled in Metro Manila. So, as normal loving parents should, and do, feel, at first we weren’t quite sure if they were indeed making the right decision.

May I say that even for my children who go to such places as Australia, Singapore, or even the U.S., as parents we had felt, if not really expressed, such apprehension. In fact, such a common, normal reaction should not even be explained or apologized for, when one thinks of it.

What I do feel the need to clarify is the part about Vey being “overqualified”. It has been 12 years since Vey made the move to Virac, and “the treachery of memory”, as it is said in Law, cannot make any of us asseverate with certainty on what was, or what was not, said at the time. If at all, as another child of mine had said, perhaps the feeling was that her education at the UPIS, the PSHS, the UP College of Medicine-PGH, and the NKTI had trained her to be a topnotch general surgeon, a training which would be under-utilized at Virac. It is no secret that the hospitals with the latest in equipments and technology are in Metro Manila. And indeed, those who are well-off in Virac opt to go to Metro Manila for major tests and/or medical procedures.

Inspite of our apprehensions, we wished the new couple the best of luck and our continuing support, and we were gratified that Vey eventually seemed to have found her niche in her adopted community. In fact, it was we who encouraged her to join the “Diamonds in the Rough” and who facilitated the submission of her entry to the Phi Kappa Mu. And the rest, as they say, is history by now.

Thank you for this chance to air my sentiments.

Cordially,

Mrs. Ethel Panganiban-David
University of the Philippines Campus
Diliman, Quezon City

The BIR chose the wrong endorser for its tax campaign. Pacquiao’s name has recently been tainted by his flip-flap on the Solar-GMA-ABS CBN controversy. The best man to help the BIR campaign is of course WILLIE REVILLAME. Willie has been captured candidly on TV news while he was submitting and paying his income tax, then showing its duplicate on camera, and it’s not even a commercial.

IF THERE’S A WILLIE, THERE’S A WAY.

Shall we also allow all jeepney drivers to display toy machineguns on their jeepneys?

Freedom of assembly and speech are constitutional rights. Gabriela has the right to march and scream their redress but such rights should not infringe on the rights of others. They can’t mess traffic and incovenience motorists. They can;t also exploit innocent children who obviously aren’t old enough to understand why the VFA should be dismantled and why the Yankees should
go home. Worse, these street protestors
especially the kids, end up getting hurt. The PNP, therefore, is right to charge Gabriela’s leaders for deliberately putting children in harm’s way.

The solution to this perrenial problem is:

1. Authorities should designate a specific spacious locale away from busy traffic where demonstrators can assemble and express their grievances. 2. Media may cover the event if it is worth the news.
This way, every word, every message the protestors want to say to the people is heard without undue inconvenience to traffic and the public. If Gabriela and its supporters do not demand from authorities to provide them this venue, then people will conclude that all they want is to make trouble and disturb the peace of other people.

Its no longer terrorist conflagration, its religious war. Lets us not call upon any deity to help us, its always a false hope.

I beg to not address Eddie Villanueva as Bro, Ed because I honestly believe that this man is substantially a rabid politician promenading as an evangelist using the name of Jesus to advance his selfish agenda for politicial power.

People have forgotten that he used his JIL openly, if not unethically and shamelessly on TV against Erap. On national television I remember very well his political gambit that ” de Venecia was the candidate pf God”. Only a pseudo evangelist would use and dare say such blashemous declaration for political purposes, No wonder JDV miserably lost to the candidate of the people named ERAP.

Again Mr. Villanueva is getting into the limelight for the same reason. Political Power Grabbing. I would rather trust Among Ed Panlilio for his candidness to express his political views and ambition without even mentioning Jesus or God.

Philippines had the most cities going dark

i am all for global earthday but to say that Philippines had the most cities going dark and to print that in blod LETTERS and ipagmalaki mo!

first of all i am a father of two daughters! which were both sick yesterday specially last night my yougest daughter which was two had high fevers 40.5!

yesterday in our province nueva ecija at exactly 8:30 the lights runed off! i knew it was earth day! but for GOD’s sake i thought that earth day was one of the things that each and every people had the options to join in, not be submissively put on that spot!

last night at 9pm i went to our electric cooperative and they told me that the people who were responbsible for turning of the lights or the electricity in our town was the NTC! i never knew that the NTC was the one who had the responsibility to choose nor to vote on whether we can or cant use our electricity on earth day! they made the choice for us!

if its one thing i learned here in the philippines there is still no democracy!

for one thing in our province we should be already considered earth friendy when it comes to electricity kasi madalas nag bro-brownout more than an hour!!!!

i am for earth day, i am for democracy! i am for one word one voice! i am for all that things!

but when you choose what you think what is right for us and never even ask us!

we are all for mother earth! but how can we express that if before we choose to turn off our lights you already did that for US! so what is the meaning, what is the value in turing our lights off, if you do it for US! why cant we choose to, to do it our selfs! if we are all for earth day, then why wont you let us choose for our selfs!

so dont go on saying Philippines had the most cities going dark! the only reason you said that is beacuse people on top, who doesnt know anything about democracy choosed it out for us!

nalulungkot ako sa nangyari yesterday it only goes to show ang bawat pilipino ay walang salati sa demokrasya!

A Nation of Servants? That’s a compliment, not a slur. If Tsao wrote “A nation of dishonest and lazy servants”, that is the slur because it is malicious and untrue

Mr. Tsao just missed a lot. We are also a nation of: nurses (abroad), Japayukis (in Japan), boring telenovelas, Showbiz scandals and hypocrites, reckiless and drunken drivers and policemen, kotongeros, manananggal, pickpockets, fake doctors, psuedo-televangelists, fatal road accidents, natural calamities, flood due to uncollected garbage, drug addicts, akyat bahay, scams and traffic jams, illegal recruiters, and above all: loquacious, media-gaga, arrogant, do-nothing, abusive POLITICIANS.

I think it was naive of Ces Drllon to wonder, “I want to know what drives them (kidnappers) to do such things.” she should know: it’s money. Ces is lucky to be well-connected to the “Haves” who provided the ransom for her release. If her relatives did not give ransom to Ces’s kidnappers, it’s just possible she could have lost her life, but society could have also won. It’s possible that this national dilemma over this Red Cross hostage taking dillemma would not have happened at all. Why do you think the three Red Cross volunteers were kidnapped?, it’s for the same ransom money that Ces Drilon set as an example.

03apr2009
lasvegasnv.

in re: 12k in sulo to evacuate.

here we go again, 12ks to be evacuated from sulo. this ploy of the govt. in connivance with some very enterprising opportunists will rob the poor sulo inhabitants of their rights to live on their land of birth.

the 12ks souls from sulo will be dumped on some god-forsaken-place where the daily survival for a family is almost do not exist. the govt. did it to the badyao and the tausog tribes, remember??? i never, in my life, met a badyao not since the last time i visited my town in laguna on nov of 2005. they were on the street begging for livelihood because they were not able to find even the most menial job there is to had.

the badyao in my town was internal-displaced people that the phil. govt. evacuated and left to fight for their survival on the land they never been before.

the arm-conflict in mindanao and sulo achipelago is just a smoke-cover for land grabbing co-sponsored by the phil. govt. and a milk-cow for kidnap-for-ransom and us military aide programs. this said arm- conflict is a side show for blood money and land grabs, thats all.

history will prove my arguement here. since the early 50’s the tension in the muslim land is always about the land. if there is somebody out there that will make my analysis here is wrong or otherwise, i would gladly bow my head and ask for forgiveness.

given enough time, and mark my word, the village were 12ks sulo town folks were evacuated, a tourist spot will be developed and fancy hotels will rise.and the 12ks up-rooted poor souls will never see their land of birth ever again.

kayana2sends
lavegasnv.

It is but appropriate for Senator Francis Pangilinan to gather the names of the pimps and the prostitutes involved in the alleged supply of sex women for the VFA troops before he does anything else. Some of those girls may not be prostitutes but, just like Nicole, they are out for some fun.
If the Senator’s accusations are false then he is giving the world a disreputable image of the Philippines by implying that certain things are possible and officially allowable in the Philippines. Besides, if prostitutes are available here for all nationalities why make the U.S. soldiers an issue of national concern unless, of course, the good Senator has a personal dislike for the U.S. military.
Prostitutes here do not pay income taxes like they do in Reno or elsewhere; Senator Pangilinan should also look into that angle.
There is no doubt that quite a number of prostitutes are being “exported” as “cultural dancers”, etc. but the Senator chose to keep quiet on that issue too. So, the Senator should not get angry if people now say that he lives in a whorehouse because that is the way he defined our country.
The VFA is not a good issue to launch a presidential campaign. The good Senator should search for more important issues than that.

It’s unfair for Sen. Gordon to say that the hostages’ fate is in the hands of President Arroyo; it is in the bandits’ — they are threatening to behead the Red Cross volunteers after all.

I am not a fan of Arroyo (an understatement) but the government cannot heed to requests of terrorists, whether ransom or something deemed as easily doable as pulling out military troops in Abu Sayyaf’s lair.

So how does it work? Hostages die and it’s the government’s fault — not of those who actually murdered them? And when hostages are released countless of politicians take credit?

If I may advise GMA, here’s my 5-point plan: 1. Give the Abus what they want- the ransom money and the military pull out- but pull back as far as to allow a quick U-turn. Ask hostage veteran Ces Drilon to delivery the millions in two or more sacks or bundles. Why Ces?, because she can be trusted with ransom experience The more bundles, the better. 2. Do not delay retrieving the two hostages safe in government’s hands; in the meantime, a covert navy operation whose mission is to enter the Jolo south seaboard and move to the direction of the Abus.
3. As planned, when the Abus sense the unexpected enemy coming in from the sea, they will have no recourse but to rush northward. By that time, the main ground contigency who will have done a quick U-turn, will be waiting to meet them head on and destroy every one of the Abus. Theoretically, the Abus will be squeezed in between two military contingents.
4. There will be little collateral damage during the final confronation because the residents had already been told to evacuate by the Military during their pulling back mode. 5. How about the money? How much ransom was given?
Who cares, it’s mostly, if not all counterfeit, anyway. Tita Glo, get mo?

06apr2009
lasvegasnv

i am christian believer, but if i am a islam faith believer, i would take the stance of a certain bishop(roman catholic) from sulo, a clear cut of undermining of the islam faith.

the said bishop should not used his pulpit and play politics. his job is to tend his flocks, let the dirty politician to do the dirty politicking. and i should again remind the out-of-touch with reality bishop, the separation of church and state.

the bishop’s obtuse and unfounded endorsement of curfew in sulo is a clear sign of partial and uneducated view of the severity of the situations in muslim land.

my word of advice for the bishop, let the govt. and politician dictates the policy for what is best for the sulo inhabitants. the archaic biased position of the phil.’s roman catholic church against the islam faith from the past history would only put more fuel on the fire of hate and discontent, and will made it more volatile to where it is arleady in.

kayana2sends
lasvegasnv

If the GMA photo-mosaic is a collective cabinet B-day gift idea, it’s bad propaganda that only ruined an otherwise simple birthday Presidential rite. It’s the choice of photos that smacks of hypocrisy, unless the President’s men wanted GMA to look at her face in the mirror and reflect, have I been a good President? As Press Secretary, Remonde must have missed Shelley’s sonnet “Ozymandias”, a turant who built his own giant statue (like a Marcos)”… and on the pedestal, these words appear “Look on my works, Ye mighty and despair”…nothing beside reaimed except the desert which stretch far away. The lesson” a leader should not build for his own glory for such will be buried in time.

The breaking News article of Ms. Julie Alipala talks about the list of 100 Abu Sayyaf suspects to be arrested in connection with the kidnapping of rthe ICRC personnel and the CHR Mindanao is already giving warning to the authorities not to abuse the rights of the suspects. I deeply admire the advocacy of this group for protecting the rights. Rights of whom? The rights of rebels and criminals! I never heard them giving a warning to Albader Parad and his minions about their abuses to the population. Did they not abuse the rights of the ICRC personnels? how about the other kidnap victims that are still in the hands of the kidnappers? Did we hear any comments from Ms. De Lima and other human rights advocates? I wish to hear them say to the ASG things they are saying to the legitimate authorities of the Republic. If they cannot warn the ASG and other criminals about their humans right abuses to the public, then, they (the CHR) are nothing but a nuisance. I never heard them complain about the abused soldiers who were dicapitated by the enemies of the state. Parang hindi parehas ang tingin nila sa tao. Mas panig sila sa mga criminal kaysa mga alagad ng batas. Kapag ganito ang kanilang pananaw, payag na rin ako sa vigilantism! At baka ang CHR ang inspirasyon ng mga vigilantes, di kaya?

A Moral Force Movement? Pardon me, but is this not a spent line?

The Moralists, like zombies, never really die.

After all, who can ever really defeat and kill their arguments? Who can breach the logic of their glittering generalities? Who wouldn’t really have a MORALITY?

But wait, what is “morality”?
One academic tome says that morality can be seen either…
1.Descriptively to refer to a code of conduct put forward by a society or, some other group, such as a religion, or accepted by an individual for her own behavior; or,
2.Normatively to refer to a code of conduct that, given specified conditions, would be put forward by all rational persons.

In short, morality is constituted by “guides to behavior that involve, at least in part, avoiding and preventing harm to some others.” Morality as a “code of conduct” is part of one’s Philosophy. It requires or presupposes answers to certain basic questions about the world and our life in it.

For the so-called Moral Force Movement, there is a need to identify a national “transformational leader” for the 2010 elections given Corruption in Philippine society. But how did they arrive at such brilliant analyses? Who can really argue with them on that?

Every election in this country has included Corruption as a top issue. Who does not want to battle corruption? But what is corrupt? Who is corrupt? How do we ‘measure’ all these? Who is to measure all these? Who is to tell us what we should do and how we should vote?

Who are the people behind the Moral Force Movement aside from Chief Justice Puno? Are they all truly “moral” people as their movement suggests? By the way, what is a “movement”? How many have to be involved in actions for actions to be called a movement?

Are the 8 identifed personalities at the core of the Moral Force Movement to tell us what is “Moral”?

I hope not. Otherwise, we will have nothing but another Moral Farce Movement.

Beware. The march of social zombies with glittering generalities!

196
Louie Montemar Says:
April 12th, 2009 at 2:05 am

Sir,

Please do not criticize people who yearns for better governance. I believe on those who advocates chance in the manner of running our government.

When everyone speaks of the need to persue moral value in the government, they are, I believe right on track. We have to wake our citizenry whoes mind seems to be in stupor. Its mind seems no longer sensitive to the most vile crimes people in our government is doing against them.

We have a government who no longer exist for the people’s welfare. It is a governance which is not for the well being of Juan de la Cruz; but to subvert Juan de la Cruz freedom. It exist for its own desire to cheat Juan de la Cruz of his hard earned money in a form of excessive tax, over charging of penalties just like the unfair increase on fees due to traffic violations. And sometimes people are tax not once but twice, like the insurance charge to every passenger of ferry boats, when in fact, the public conveyor is already required under the law to insure its passengers. The EVAT is also shouldered by Juan de la Cruz, all the way from the refinery, transporting the goods, and finally as end user. Not once but three times!

Juan de la Cruz carries all the burden of repaying all the inefficiencies of these government. The government proposes a project just like the “Jetropa” project of Miguel Zubiri, in the tune of 4 billion pesos, yet, that project was distined to failure even before it was conceive because it runs counter to food production. In short, biofuel project competes hand in hand for space with other crops. Do not ever believe when Miguel Zubiri says that there are thousands of hectares available. The truth is the tenant farmers are already running out of available land, how much more land to be planted to Jetropa?

These is just a few example of what morality is all about. “Puro bolero, puro kasinungalingan ang mga politiko natin. Naniniwala ka paba sa kanila?”

Our politicians are bright, and they are good speakers, but when it comes to morality, they are way below with that of an ordinary scavenger.

Remember our last election, just after winning the Senate, three Senators, Allan Peter Cayatano, Jinggoy Estrada, and Chiz Escodero volted from the minority and joined Manny Villar, that guy who cause additional 1.2 billion pesos due to the C-5 diversion. Remember the ASO, Angara, Sotto and Oreta who joint the camp of PGMA. Now, we see the famous Gringo Honasan and his boss, Juan Ponce Enrile also joint the camp of PGMA. Do you see the angle? And morality is involve here.

For the sake of our children and the future generation, let us correct the Establishment. It is doing more bad things to us than otherwise.

Please do not case doubt to our cause. I for one is doing it alone. No one dictates nor influence me to write things that I believe our people should know. Up to my last breath, I will speak the truth. Some people derides me for being so engross on matters which I can not change. Yet, perhaps someone else may get my message and carryon the struggle.

Are you satisfied on what you see right now Louie?

Now, the second og April,Senator Pimentel is suggesting what I proposed in ablog last month: that we can borrow VFA modern equipment such as the use of high tech lasers, night vision weapons, smart bombs in fighting the Abus. The use of such modern equipment theiy hit their target with precision.

The only people against asking military help from the US are the militants against the VFA. It is obvious that our military is having a hard time dealing with the enemy. We are a poor country blinded by false nationalism and rabid pride that can not feed the hungry much less save the lives of the Red Cross hostages. I wonder if Liza Masa, Pia Baraquel, and the rest of the leftist leaders have a better idea of solving this rotting hostage-taking crisis.

The recently concluded hostage-taking by Somalian pirates - where the Navy Seals snipers successfully shot and killed three of the pirates and saved the life of an American Captain and his entire crew- demonstrates my point.

The SLEX operator and parents of the boys that stoned buses in the SLEX must be held responsible for the incident.

What’s the government dilly-dallying for? Our military should now coordinate with the VFA command. I think by doing so, the Balikatan exercise will not breach the VFA; on the contrary, it will test its strength and effectivity in jungle warfare where modern gadgets and high tech weapons will hopefully be used to put away these Abu terrorists once and for all. The Red Cross hostage taking is not just a fight against a motley crew of lawless bandits but a war against terrorism the world over.

The only people who would object to this bilateral military opration are the narrow-minded leftist elements who have no other goal but get media mileage by screaming anti-american slogans. They arer pseudo-nationalists promenading as champions of the masses.

The wife of Ted Failon suffered a gunshot wound. The police has the duty to investigate the nature of the incident and as long as there is no sign of police irregularities or injustice, the media should not make unnecessary comments. Otherwise, the public might mistake that it was the GMA’s administration that shot Failon’s wife.

The lenten week has just finished and many, including myself, have pledged to live a more prayerful and peaceful life. Watching what is happenning to Ted Failon and his family threatens to demolish all my plans.

Though I am not in any way connected with them, I feel for them. Good grief! What a sinner I am now as all these evil thoughts are festering in my brain towards the police people involved and of course…command responsibility…

Hey Madame President! Yoo hoo! Where are you? You speak bad about the Marcos Era? What you, and your police force is doing to this family is no different!!!! What goes around comes around and I hope that this adage applies to all of you since you persist to treat this family as inmumanely as you possibly can. How can you tear this family away from their dying sisters bedside!? How can you do this?

I can’t remember the name of the famous football player in the US but a similar case just happenned there and sparked an outrage. A traffic cop was unreasonable with a speeding ticket and prevented the person from seeing his dying sister in law. The community rallied behind the opressed and the cop was forced to resign and the police department had to issue an apology.

You think that will happen here? In this police state of ours? Could it be because ABS CBN was the first to break the news of the rub out which is why they are this way to him?

Maybe the police force would deserve some K9 training? Dogs behave better than they do…but then again…that’s where our country with it’s current leadership is going to….to the dogs….

Your “Wang-wang” editorial hits the nail on the head. In our culture, the “wangwang” is a symbol of power. It’s a 007 license to violate courtesy, equality, and the rights of others. It speaks of our national subservience to politicians who must be so important that they need police escorts and should not be delayed to do their “Lawmaking job” of talking, listening, slouching, and grandstanding- all courtesy of that WangWang sound where every motorist should curtsy to the passing king of the road to corruption.

He’s Crazy!

I find it inane (if not entirely insane) for the so-called Secretary of Justice to suggest that Atty. Persida Rueda-Acosta has taken leave of her senses by assisting Mr Failon in his time of need, as reported by Dona Pazzibugan of the Philippine Daily Inquirer on April 17, 2009.

I direct the Honorable Secretary to
Section 12. (1) of the Bill of Rights under our present Constitution: Any person under investigation for the commission of an offense shall have the right to be informed of his right to remain silent and to have competent and independent counsel preferably of his own choice. If the person cannot afford the services of counsel, he must be provided with one. These rights cannot be waived except in writing and in the presence of counsel.

The last time I checked, Atty. Acosta was the Chief Public Attorney. While it is true that their primary client is the indigent citizen, I cannot see why one is barred from utilizing them as counsel, even if it be for an interim basis.

WITH THE BREED OF POLICEMEN WE HAVE IN THE PNP, WHO NEEDS THE ABU SAYYAF TO MAKE OUR LIVES MISERABLE?

The Abus are criminals who showed more humane treatment of their captives whom they apparently did not manhandle or roughly treated while in custody-so unlike our “Civilized” policemen who dragged their “catch” like they were animals or re-captured terrorists.

It’s not enough to remove these stupid oppressive policemen from the CIDC team but kick them out of the service without any accruing termination benefit.

Police ‘overkill’ probed… what a pity.

Though we symphatized with Ted Failon’s family, we pity the police involved in the investigation in the death of Mrs. Etong.
The point is… the police were just doing their job. A normal procedure in criminal investigation when somebody dies of violence and Ted Failon is not exemption.

The police invitation on relatives of Mrs.Etong was to gather statements,to establish the crime scene which these people might know.
For the reason that Scene of the crime investigation or SOCO were completely wiped out due to washing, cleaning by the household staffs which might have been ordered by relatives or Ted Failon Etong.
The police is creating a crime scene. How could this crime be solved if nobody cooperates and everything is cleaned.

The point is… Ted Etong should know.
As he has been a reporter and lawmaker that knows how the police works. He should know that no touch, call police, and so on and so forth.
Of course, he should know for the studio where he works, produces SOCO with Gus Abelgas, he should call Gus first on what to do.

When it comes to police investigation, let the police works.
We do not need the statements of Escudero, Revilla, Roxas, denouncing the act of police as overkill.
Look, this is a crime, the senators do not know police work and they should shut up. Just because it is Ted Failon, they will support him. Support the police and not Ted.

When it comes to crime, everybody should cooperate to know the murderer. There is time for hysterics and dramatics when time comes during wake and funeral and not on crime investigation.

Let the police do their job. It is a police work and not politics.

“San Diego also denied that they failed to read the Miranda Rights, which was supposed to be a mandatory process when arresting a suspect.”

I have one comment for the QCPD- BOBO ang mga police and chief nila dito!!! Watch the video- Chief!

San Diego I think you outgrown y our knowledge about the rule of law. You have to remember that you work for the citizens of this country and not vice-versa.

“Acosta fires off counter-memo to Gonzalez”

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20090417-199977/Acosta-fires-off-counter-memo-to-Gonzalez

PAO chief Persida Acosta tells off DOJ Sec. Raul Gonzalez why she’s justified in helping out Ted Failon. Quoting news reports, “she reasoned that Failon’s case fell under the exceptions laid down by Memorandum Circular 18 that she issued in 2002 (amending the standard office procedures in extending legal assistance), when PAO lawyers might “provisionally” accept cases pending verification of the applicant’s indigence and merit of his case.”

Pending verification if Failon was indigent? Failon is a well-known ABS CBN broadcaster; he took time out from that TV-radio station some years back to run for Congress, served one term, then went back to broadcasting. Since when did Acosta suspect Failon was indigent to deserve free legal assistance? It was Korina Sanchez who called Acosta to help Failon and Acosta had no business meddling in what clearly is not an indigent case that the PAO is restricted to do.

The truth is ABS CBN exploited the Failon tragedy by playing it up to the hilt - and exclusively for their own network only -while at the same time calling on media contemporaries to be reserved and respect the privacy of Failon. ABS CBN was exceedingly overbearing with the cops in their coverage and whose every act was questioned by a cynical Korina, which could have been an issue that must have irritated the cops. Just as well, two of Failon relatives were mishandled by the cops for preventing them from doing their job.

IT IS POLICE BRUTALITY THAT ULTIMATELY KILLED THE WIFE OF TED FAILON.

Medically, the wife was still alive though unsconscious from the head shot wound. Whoever shot her didn’t kill her at that point. Fact was “Her vital signs were improving”, her doctor confirmed. However, as soon as all the commotion that the arresting police had caused in the ICU unit of the hospital, Trina’s condition took a dive and as a consequently she died. Asked if the commotion caused her condition to deteriorate, the doctor did not say “no

Theoretically someone shot the head of Mrs. Failon, but in practice the police killed her life.

These oppressive arresting officers should not only be relieved from their unit, but summarily be terminated from service without any termination benefit.Why?, because they conspired and killed a dying woman.

QCPD, GMA should go to hell

What happened to Ted Failon’s family the past few days spoke volumes about how rotten Philippine government is. Here’s why

- Power Trip - Yes, no one should be above the law, but how his wife’s relatives were dragged was just plain power trip. I don’t know what got into their stupid heads that they will get positive PR from what they are doing. They were given special treatment indeed, extra special harassment and abuse. There was no crime, no case and yet they were treated like criminals. I blame this to Philippine government in general because our top leader has the same characteristic. Upfront she seems like she is “simply” following the law, but behind that effing facade, her actions are abusive, power trip. Behind this fiasco is another disturbing news. The Department of Agriculture undersecretary who was a whistleblower in the jocjoc bolante case was killed. FYI, he is the 4th whistleblower ambushed. The GMA administration is closing in on the Marcos record of extrajudicial killings. GMA admin, like the police, is using the propaganda that they are following the law, they are doing what is right, but it’s all bs. I hate it whenever it’s Christmas day or holy week, when there’s no news and all they can show is GMA going to mass. I cannot imagine how we can still be proud to be a Catholic country, how they have nerve to show that PR when behind all it is evil, everything against what Catholic faith should be about. They are so abusive of their power and they kill those who go against them. Also, this power trip also works on the flip side — In Miriam Santiago’s case when his son committed suicide, since she is a supporter of GMA, did they conduct a paraffin test, did they arrest the entire household? Did they question why the bullet’s entry point was at the back? Isn’t that more disturbing and questionable than worrying about the downward trajectory of the bullet? And yet, she was not at all considered a suspect? No question, no investigation whatsoever. And they claim they are giving everyone the same treatment and no one is above the law? Think again.

- Top to bottom - As my bf would always say, the justification for all of this is that the top is evil, so everything below it follows. For example, in that dragging incident, the police can say, my action is ok, people above me have done worst things. There is no inspiration to do what is right, there is no model for good governance because the top most leader is evil itself in midget form.

- Unprofessional - While watching the coverage, it was so clear there was no process and policy. No process - they were all saying different things, warantless arrest was interpreted in thousands of ways, everything was ad hoc. No policy - the policemen were having their pictures taken when ted failon was getting his paraffin test, there was no respect, no professionalism whatsoever… and the morning when Ted left QCPD and went to the hospital to see his wife, the stupid police chief said on the radio when asked why he’s so upset the Ted left — ” Eh kasi naman, umuwi ako para matulog, tapos umalis na sila.” What the hell do I care, do they care, if you went home?? He was not mentioning a procedure, a policy, simply a simple stupid personal reason on why he was upset with Ted.

In Catholic faith, when someone commits suicide, it’s straight to hell. I hope God could reconsider Ted’s wife since she must be disturbed. I hope instead, GMA, QCPD will go there since they are making a living hell out of all the Filipino people’s lives today.

Can somebody tell the Philippine Police to shut up and complete the investigation of the Failon Case before issuing statements to the press? Can tthe Philippine Police to please STOP…just for once….doing a publicity circus? Can somebody also please tell the Philippine vice-president to shut up, too? It is unbecoming of him to vouch for the innocence of someone involved in an ongoing criminal investigation. His statement only serves to unduly influence (wittingly or unwittingly) the outcome of the case.

I have read that GMA granted presidential clemency to Rodolfo Manalili, Claudio Teehankee, Jr.. and two of Galman’s and Aquino’s murderers. Maybe she can also grant a posthumous presidential pardon to Yamashita? All in the spirit of forgive and forget! Justice, only in the Philippines!

Haven’t you people noticed that at this late date sincer the Ted Failon case propped up, not one, yes not one Kapuso soul showed up at the Arlington funeral to extend a sympathetic hand to Ted Failon nor hand a condolence card or broadcast an official sympathy message to the grieving family. GMA7 has shown more immaturity in dealing with reality than the mediocre telenovelas they feed our viewers. Can’t you Kapuso people forget your rivalry just for once and say “condolence” to someone who is not one of your own without necessarily proclaiming his innocence? Grow up GMA7!

Raul Gonzalez should not deprive Atty Acosta’s rare opportunity to become famous for defending the country’s top-notch — I do not what to call him — a news reporter, newscaster, anchorman, news commentator, journalist, –? Maybe I should go by the general term — media man.

Sec. Raul Gonzales shows inconsistency in his description of PAO Chief Acosta as “Crazy” just because she assisted Failon’s side in some legal and notarial requirement.
When Acosta defended the Police accused of Rub-out in the Edsa carnapping incident where ABS-CBN caught the whole incident on television, Gonzales looked the other way. Why? because Acosta was fighting against the interest of ABS-CBN. But now that Acosta is apparently partial to some one big at Abs-cbn, Gonzales is charging her and calling her action conflict of interest. Acosta says she’s only temporarily helping the maid and the other house help, not Failon.

My point: if it is against the interest of ABSD-CBN, go ahead Ms. Acosta do your PAO job; if it is against the police, get off and shut up.

Can someone please explain why or how the US uses “”unamanned aerial vehicles” for humanitarian projects in Mindanao and Sulu? This is news to me and many of my friends in the US and around the world. “Unmanned aerial vehicles” to help in humanitarian service? Incredible!

Mon Tulfo writes that he will bet his life on Ted Failon’s innocence and I am betting my life that Mon Tulfo is correctly on target.

There is a mile of difference between being rescued and just walking away from the kidnappers. Broadsheet editors don’t mind the discrepancy in their news reports as long as Mr. Notter is now safe home. Life is more important than vocabulary.

My apologies in advance for this lengthly post… i just had to share my 2 cents worth.

Let’s put the facts in order (at least as I have read them - corrections are most welcome):

1. The SEC recently changed a ruling for Pre-Need companies - they increased the required assets of Pre-Need companies vis-a-vis plans sold.

2. The SEC asked 24 Pre-Need companies to submit their financial reports.

3. Of the 24, Prudential Life was one of the 2 companies that submitted reports on time. The others have not submitted.

4. Of the 2 companies that submitted reports, only 1 was named publicly and had its license revoked - Prudential Life. The 2nd company has not been named.

5. The SEC sites Prudential Life’s supposed lack of allowable assets to meet SEC requirements - as the reason for revoking their license to sell additional plans.

6. When asked what Prudential Life’s planholders should do about their investments, SEC chairperson Fe Barin said “I don’t know.”
See it here : http://www.gmanews.tv/video/40200/Saksi–SEC-revokes-dealer’s-license-of-Prudential-Plans

7. Due to the SEC’s announcement, many Prudential Life plan holders are cashing in their plans - further reducing Prudential Life’s assets.

8. Many media outlets from the Philippines are putting the Prudential Life license revokation story together with updates on the Legacy Fund scam - as if attempting to make a connection between these 2 situations and these 2 companies.

9. SEC chairperson Fe Barin has been on the Senate’s firing line quite a while now, ever since the Legacy Fund scam fallout.

If these facts are correct, then:

1. How can the SEC expect anybody to magically increase their asset portfolio to meet rules concocted from thin air?

2. Who are these other companies that were asked to submit their financial reports? How about the others not in this list - will they be monitored also? Who chooses which company is watched?
See a recent list here : http://www.sec.gov.ph/index.htm?sec-orders

3. Have the other companies that have not complied with the SEC’s deadline been penalized in any way? Or was it “smart” of these companies to have not complied, and they will not comply at all - seeing what happened to Prudential Life? What happens then?

4. According to Section 11 of SEC Memorandum Circular 4 :
“If the Commission discovers a deficiency in the Trust Fund, it shall give notice of its finding to the Pre-Need Corporation and require it to make additional deposits to the Trust Fund. The Pre-Need Corporation shall have thirty (30) days from receipt of notice, or submission of the actuarial valuation report, whichever is earlier, to make the necessary deposit to correct the deficiency.”
See it here : http://www.sec.gov.ph/circulars/cy,2007/sec-memo-04,s2007.pdf

Was Prudential Life given this opportunity?

Has the SEC given a second thought to publicizing their concerns over Prudential Life? Did they not expect planholder panic at that sort of announcement? Was it their intention to hurt the company? Who is the 2nd company? Will they be dealt the same fate?

5. Why isn’t Prudential Life defending itself against the SEC? Why was there no attempt at a restraining order? Why was there no attempt at securing a government funded bailout? Is it because the former boss of Prudential Life is Ambassador to the Vatican that they will just lay down and get stepped on?

6. “I don’t know”? You tell hundreds of Prudential Life insurance agents that they are now jobless and “I don’t know”? You tell thousands of planholders that their investments are in danger and “I don’t know”? Why did you even tell at all? Was there any attempt to forsee the effects of such actions?

7. How does panicking planholders and depleting Prudential Life’s assets help anyone? How does stopping Prudential Life from selling more plans help them to meet the new asset requirements?
Read more about the requirements here :
http://www.sec.gov.ph/notices/Pre-Need.Notice_20April2007.pdf

8. Yes, it is true that all this was started by the Legacy Fund incident - but did the media have to add to planholders fears? Even on video, sound bytes with the words “Legacy” were chosen to be aired - for what good was that?
See it here : http://www.gmanews.tv/video/40231/Planholders-ng-Prudential-Life-dumagsa

9. Yes, it is true the Senate is giving Fe Barin a really rough time - so if the Senate wants blood, from where shall Fe Barin deliver it - duty or frustration? Will the SEC shoot down anything it can - just to prove to the Senate they have the guns to their jobs? Will the SEC kill the pre-need industry, just to prove the Senate wrong? Where will this end?

What next SEC?

pls help us seek for the truth in the death of failon’s wife. why does your paper protect him rather than seek justice for the death of his wife? your angling of stories is very obvious that you want to condition the minds of your readers that it is suicide. i know as it was obvious that there was police abuse but it does not conceal the fact that that that is only one story. it is not the whole story. her death is clouded with mystery; a lot of questions are unanswered. and i think you will be able to help in giving justice for failon wife’s death if you are balanced in your reporting. we deserve this from you.

It is regrettable that the SC decided to increase the seats of the party-list representatives. At present, majority of the people does not know who the party-list legislators represent. Some of the party-list representatives are not really what they are. The party-list system should be abolished before it is subject to abuse and corruption by ill-intentioned politicians.

It’s unfortunate that by a sheer one vote difference, the SC allowed 32 seats more for party list representatives. I wonder if those who voted favoring the ruling knew that the corresponding P2.7 Billion (from people’s taxes) just to bankroll these additional “solons”. In these times of economic crunch the Supreme Court did not use its supreme wisdom- no wonder not a few people are questioning the integrity and moral aptitude of the Justices. They are not that divine and omnipotent but mere human political appointists of the powers that be.

In the first place, the Party-List Law is superfluous and an an expensive political exercise in futility. Imagine, in addition to more than 250 congressmen purportedly representing every region of this island nation, we are still asking representation almost every human sector of our society: the farmers, the teachers, the unionists, the women, the “Marginalized” whatever that means; moreover, what the hell do these acronyms mean: APEC, COOP NATCO, AGAP, ABONO, AMIN, ANak pawis, ALAGAD, and AN WARAY? What have these people done to deserve pay from people’s taxes? With such big numbers in congress, who else are regional congressmen representing?Virtually no one.

O.K. Do we want more representation?, so we might as well have partry-list reps for drivers, pedicabs, bartenders, dancers, janitors, law enforcers, senior citizens, sidewalk vendors, sea men, construction and factory workers, car washers, gasoline boys, barbers, tailors, band members, TH singers, mediocre actors, stand-up comics, sales ladies, athletes, the handicapped, pick boys,and circus clowns?

If this is true democratic representation, then the more merrier. Imagine a tiny island like the phiippines having a congress larger than its splintered geography. What a joke!

I beg to disagree with the opinion of two media men that ABS-CBN has been biased in its coverage of Ted Failon controversy. The argument that had Failon been not an ABS-CBN talent, the network would have been less detached to the case is fallacious. On the contrary, if Failon had been an ordinary Juan de la Cruz, the case would would have ended the way the Police wanted it.
It is precisely because of media’s scrutiny and vigilance that the case was pried open and all angles and sides presented themselves.

If Ted Failon is finally found innocent it is because he is not guilty based on available evidences, not because ABS-CBN managed it so.

Atty. Ursua is like the typical politician who has just lost the election, who says. “DINAYA LANG AKO KAYA AKO AKO NATALO”. Some people just can’t accept defeat. And Ursua is an honorable Lawyer.

Why do Liza Masa, Satur Ocampo, and Ms. Baraquel equate the VFA with rape of Filipino women? That is rather a sweeping, fallacious argument that can come only from narrow-minded, racist people like these leftist-leaning elements. Not all VFA soldiers are Daniel Smiths and not all our women are Nicoles. The soldiers are here for mutually beneficial military “Balikatan” exercises, not to molest of women.

What Gabriela et al should do is wage a nationawide or school-to-school campaign to educate our young women with a crash course on the prevention of sexual violence or possible rape.

Marching in the streets, inconveniencing motorists, screaming anti-American expletivies at the US Embassy, and ventilating Smith’s case to the international community only make Gabriela leader Liza Masa a sore loser, not an inspiration to young women.

The only country who has the stupidity to listen to Liza Masa’s whining will be North Korea.

“There’s nothing romantic about rape” so goes Sen.Pia Cayetano’s smart remark as she criticized the CA acquittal of Daniel Smith. The senator should review her logic because her paraphrase of the decision is based on the wrong premise. The judges ruled there was no rape, but a romantic experience that they believed happened. So since there was no rape, Pia’s remark has become a dangling impertinent statement.

If the CA ruled there was rape preceded by romantic interlude, then Pia’s comment is relevant.

‘Presidentiables’ all ‘tradpols’—bishop

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090429-202045/Presidentiables-all-tradpolsbishop

Yes, without exceptions, all 2010 presidentiables are traditional politicians - trapos. Just watch the way they try to attract people for their attention. There is that inane ‘padyak’ TV infomercial of a senator who is ‘kilig’ to the bones announcing with his timely engagement to a popular lady radio/TV host probably thinking that romantic interlude would translate to winning votes. Another cashing in on stranded and wayward OFWs he brought home gratis et amore while facing questions of integrity from his senate colleagues. And that perrenial presidentiable suspected of double murder and other crimes conveniently hidden and forgotten. There are others too who can very well claim to have clean hands and therefore the right to be president. Clean hands? Clean hands maybe but clean conscience and intentions? Not at all. Fact is, they are the worst kind because they are sly and no one knows what beats inside their hearts. The fact that they associate and depend on disgraced politicians, especially the convicted plunderer, for support make them any less dishonest and morally corrupt than the corrupt politicians and plunderers.

All these wannabes use all kinds of ridiculously immature and false gimmickry that the trapos are known for because like their trapo predecessors they cannot stand on moral integrity and past performances alone which are sadly inadequate. The public must realize that all these 2010 campaigns are politics of deceipt. The politicians’ lack of credentials to qualify as president are overshadowed by false pretenses. Be wise.

It’s astounding what this country has turned into. Honest people are being jailed for speaking the truth while liars, cheaters, and thugs get rewarded by becoming president, getting more stars on their chest, and even getting seats in congress! Have we lost our moral fortitude altogther as a people by allowing these things to happen?
Darkness is upon us once again and hopefully the good in us all will prevail and push us into action. Dylan Thomas’ words should inspire us - “Rage, rage against the dying of the light”.

A whistle no more: the recent events on the arrest of jun lozada manifest that truth has no place in my beloved country - the Philippines, this present Government do everything to hide the crooked activities that they are doing to amass the wealth of the people, lozada is telling what he personally knew….which is the TRUTH and nothing but the whole TRUTH.. let us all wake up…a virtual martial rule is prevalent in our country today…kababayan …do we have to allow another tyranny of falsehood and injustices??…speak and act please for the sake of TRUTH!!

about jun lozada’s expressing sadness< fears & anxiety while inside the jail. why should he be, he is in constant good company with that chummy mother superior type nun, that has been singer of the black & wthite movement, some opposition senators, and some activists. They are all so willing to stand by their man, so may I suggest that they be allowed to share Jun Lozada’s cell in prison, and throw in couple more nuns & priests. then they will all be merry & happy! hahaha

What a great idea this “Gabriela”
A heroine’s name, a fabulous Filipina
Unfortunately misled by a Liza Masa
No justice to a “Masa” name, Trapol lang pala.

Dakdak dito, Dakdak doon
Spinning anti-U.S. and VFA venom
In noisy protests jamming traffic
Screaming expletives that make the public sick

Gabriela, Gabriela, what a waste of beauty and groom
Girls Gone Gaga, poisoned with gloom
Blinded by promises for nobody’s good
Gabriela does little for Pinoy Womanhood

Jun Lozaga went to the wrong people for justice. He allowed himself to be exploited by politicians instead of tried by the courts. He is still digging deeper his grave. I pity his family, not Lozada. He will be remembered not for martyrdom but for his dumbdom.

Congratulations to Manny Pacquiao for a dominating performance over Ricky Hatton and commiserations to Ricky Hatton. But with the public broadcasting of GMA7 of the ‘Battle of the East and West’, we the fans can say nothing but great disappointment. We have learned of the result earlier than what the tv shows. And we were just dismayed by what GMA7 had done, we don’t want advertisements, we don’t care about the sponsors, we care about Pacquaio and how his fight for himself and for the country. The tv station failed to deliver the most important event of the year. Though GMA7 can find an excuse that those ads were the backbone of their industry and of the show itself, but the greater need of the people is to watch the national hero doing his usual stuff, giving pride and joy for the nation. We only hope this failure and disappointment will not happen again on November when Pacquiao is about to fight a resurgent Mayweather Jr.

This is a response to the article, ” Filipinos abandoning Filipinos “.

I lived in USA for more than a year only because I have to transfer to another continent due to my marriage to a foreigner. Before I left my mother last February this year, she was jobless. She was waiting for the decision of the Nursing Home facility that she worked for more than 2 years (without a full time insurance) , if she will be able to go back to work or not. In her case, she isn’t a TNT. She migrated there 9 years ago and until now cannot apply for US citizenship (my brother even got the citizenship before her, just recently) because she is still petitioning my other 2 brothers in Philippines. So in regards to her condition at work, she worked in the Health center area of that facility for part-time during her days-off.

They have specific area to look out during working hours. ANd my mom, a very helpful and kind person, one time had the patients set to rest early so she decided to look to the other side of their area where a co-Filipino worker was assigned. She saw that the co-worker was in need of help lifting a 300+lbs male patient. There’s only the two of them that time, plus the Head Nurse in the main station, so she instinctively went to the room to help the Filipina. The family of the man was there too. They were Mexicans.

My mom was reported by the daughter of the patient that, she carelessly dropped her father’s legs while transferring him to the bed. The daughter even said in the report that my mom had broken one of her father’s legs.

My mom who was a 5′2″ ft person had one of her arms aching for 2 weeks cos of the pressure from that overweighed patient.

In her nervousness and loosing her coolness, she cried while stating her report to the director and writing an ER.

With a Filipino director and a Filipina co-worker, I can say that no positive help was ever done to save my mom’s job and reputation in that facility. She had to wait for 3 weeks, for the decision of the company if she will keep the job or not. In 3 days or a week time, she should’ve had the answer already and if it was negative, then she will find another job. Right?

But,

The Filipina co-worker did not even support her by writing a report about the incident, when during that time, she was helped by my mom only. So her chance of getting back to work was blur.

My mom, by the way, cannot hurt any patients. She’s been a very caring and thoughtful person and optimistic about her work. She is a CNA and knows what is wrong and what is not in regards to her job. She was wrongly accused by the family’s patient and no one had supported her, even those co-Filipinos. Especially the Filipina Cna or caregiver. Is it really that hard to write a supporting or report letter about the incident? The Filipino Director didn’t even anser her directly while she was going and calling there.

That’s what you call “Bayanihan”. Ah pardon me… “laglagan” pala.

The name of the facility in Escondido, California is Las Villas.

This behavior or Filipinos toward a co-Filipino is prevalent. I have also seen this in the retirement facility where I used to work. So it makes me less trustworthy of our co-Filipinos abroad.

GMA7’s “Kapuso” monicker is a misnomer. The network has neither the heart nor the technology to give the viewing public their few sweet minutes of excitement. Solar and GMA7 conspired to dupe (again) the public by selling excessive commercial first than to give people what they have been looking forward to: fun, suspense and excitement. It’s more “money” in the pocket than a “Manny” in their hearts. Kuwarta Muna, bago taong bayan. That seems to be the network’s policy. ABS-CBN who lost the Pacquiao franchise was even faster and more comprehensive than Galvante’s boast “Si Manny ay mananatili pong Kapuso”- Not anymore, after such a disappointing coverage. Manny will certainly switch.

Just read that the DOH has the “Department of Health (DoH) has advised boxing icon Manny Pacquiao to postpone his plan to come home from Los Angeles, California this Friday, as a precautionary move to prevent the spread of the Influenza A(H1N1) virus here.”
Unbelievable.
In what way is Pacquiao different from the hundreds of people who fly in from LA on PAL each and every morning? He is somewhat a higher risk of carrying the virus?
Besides, after his 5-day self quarantine, he has to get out of his LA home and head for the airport right? Will he not be exposed then? What then, he goes back home for another 5-day self quarantine?? I’m sorry, but this statement from the DOH is simply idiotic.

Why are our government officials need to be at the ringside and spend thousands of pesos to watch Manny in flesh? Do Mr. Nograles and many congressmen have to be at Las Vegas to increase their knowledge in law making? Does Mr. Atienza has to travel to be with Pacquiao in order to enhance his skills in environmental protection? What’s wrong with you people? Manny is not a forest nor a wildlife nor a legislative concern. You should concentrate working how to improve our nation. Mahiya naman kayo!

Let’s hope that after amazingly knocking out a hitman Hatton, Manny Pacquiao’s glory won’t be derailed by a swine. By the way, those fifty or more congressmen need not worry of the virus which doctors say isn’t transmitted by pigs like them.

On the new rape case: Poor Atty. Evelyn Ursua. Just to redeem herself from the faux pas of Nicole she has to parade another “rape victim”. Please stop exploiting these girls for your self-satisfaction. Rape or not being paid enough? Is there rape in a hotel room? Why enter the room in the first place? Please do not take the Filipinos for a ride. Hindi lahat na pinoy bobo. Para sa mga taga inquirer, was nyo na po patulan ang mga gaya nito. Salamat po.

This is in response to the article “UNO wants immediate Arroyo resignation.”

Jejomar Binay, UNO president, is NOT a credible person to request for President GMA’s resignation for the most obvious reason that he is president of an opposition group. Of course you dont like the sitting president and any sitting president so long as it isnt you. And please, Mr. Binay, give us Filipinos the benefit of intelligence. The Philippines IS NOT in a political turmoil. Only you and your co-politicians hungry for power and fame are. Follow the process and we should all get there. You will too if you can be patient. But then again, i hope you dont get there — i really wouldnt want you to either be President or VP of the Philippines. God help us if by some weird quirk of fate you get to be.

I want to comment on what Sen. Manny Villar did at facing the media rather than defending himself to the senate investigation.

Why is that He has to air his side to the media than giving his word to the senate investigation on the C5 road project. Sir, I was greatly saddened on his action. It is like telling the Filipino people that he, himself, does not trust the body he belongs with, the Senate of the Republic of the Philippines. Why does he go to the media? to get sympathy from the people, from us? I do believe in airing your side to the proper decorum, it helps a lot for him and for the nation to know his side regarding the C5 project scandal. If he thinks he is innocent, he must not be afraid on facing the senate inquiry. I was greatly discourage on what I saw in the TV and read in the newspapers.

16may2009

in re: puno-oligarch —

we have been fighting and dying since 1968 to proved our points that the marriage of convinience between the oligarchs and political dynasties is the great curse that hindered the democratic process in our motherland. puno’s ideas and grandstanding is just the re-runs of the old by-lines that was already known since the early 60’s.

if mr. puno wants an audience to listens to his rhetorics while he is on his soap-box, he should do more than regurgitating the facts that was beaten to death without results.

punditries wins votes but it remains the same.

kayana2sends
lasvegasnv

Why do Gabriela, Senators Pia Cayetano and Loren Legarda cry foul when a Pinay is allegedly raped by a whilte American? Because that will give these hypocrites “ganda” points on media. You know, anything white attracts attention such as those two David Idols (who are no better than our own Charice, Arnel, and Janno) Because they are white they must be better than brown.
However when a Pinay cries rape and the predator is her fellow skin-mate, Gabriela, Cayetano, and Legarda look the other way. Kasi wa-epek iyan in their political agenda. In other words, pag-kanu ang culprit, sigue rape iyan at idemanda natin iyan, but if the rapist is a brown Filipino nobody, huwag na lang, iha, di tayo kikita diyan.

The real rapists in this issue are Gabriela, Cayetano, Barraquel, Legarda, and every “Batay Salakay” leftist who gang-rape and exploit the gullibility and stupidity of the victims by poiising her mind with anti-american venom just to advance their selfish political agenda.

I am a Filipino residing in the US of A and I think it would do the Filipinos well to ignore comments made by any Hollywood figure, especially by this guy named Alec Baldwin. First of all they are not very smart(aka pea-brained), they just think they are, just because they picked up something in some of the scripts they read, like the earth is round. Secondly, he is not even well-respected in his own country. So don’t bother. Move on!

Katrina made the wrong move of seeking redress at the Senate. The Senate has never been known to champion justice but political and vested interest. She should have gone straight to the police, NBI, or the courts and tell “Her Story” without media fanfare. Katrina seems to be only beauty and body but little brain.

Second, whom will the court listen to and trust? The words of a pimp or the words of a whore? Kho is no angel but neither is Katrina Virgin Mary.

Third, Gabriela nis always on hand purportedly advocating women’s welfare, but they only show up only after the fact, when the damage is already done just like in the case of Nicole and Vanessa. This leftist group has no nation-wide or school-wide programs that train or teach young women on how to avoid being victims of sexual violence and rape.

Next, Senator Bong Revilla is the least morally qualified to talk about women’s welfare because he is a reputed smooth operator and womanizer luckily married to a tolerant wife. I will not be surprised if Vicky Belo’s millions won’t be used to defend her loved one against those who want to put him down. Revilla has the power, but Belo has the money to dig graves just to even the playing field.

to pompeyo pedroche:

your comments are cool! i like them.

We cannot simply single out the entire American nation for the mistake of one. Issuing a statement calling them not smart or pea brain could be unfair considering the mentality of our voters, the state of our nation, and the kind of public officials we elect. Maybe thats one reason why more Filipinos wants to migrate to the US, the country that our “masa” hates, ironically. Like other nation and cultures, we have our own shortcomings and stupidities too. Thats right, why dont we just ignore the comment since the comment was said in jest. But why our politicians and left leaning groups are making a big deal out of it? You all know the answer.

Dear Wonderwoman,

Unlike you, I have the openness to state who I am. You respond to me about morality as if I did not understand it and as if I am satisfied with what I see. How condescending. Easy lang… Read my post again. Or better yet, google me up. I am a real person and with very serious advocacies like you (I suppose).

But then again, how can I not doubt you and your supposed cause? How can I take seriously someone who calls herself wonderwoman?

I am no superhero and I do not and will not pretend to be one — not even in name. My morality tells me so.

These regards the Pandacan Oil Depot issue. Why not shutdown Pandacan depot for two weeks and feel the impact of it’s being out of that place. To some councilors and Lito Atienza, it is easier said than done but the products stored at the depot came via a 14″ pipeline that can deliver as much as 2000 barrels per hour or roughly 318,000 liters an hour. If it will be taken from the refinery with a lorry of 30,000 liters capacity. you can imagine how long it will take and the cost of hauling the products to Pandacan. At the end the consumers will take the burden of additional cost per liter of oil products on top of the prevailing market price of gasoline and diesel. I agree with Mayor Lim to let the pandacan depot stay.

Regarding the article “If Arroyo is unpopular, why fear her? “. I don’t know if Press Secretary Resmonde is just playing deaf and blind on what’s going on around. Gloria is obviously unpopular ever since she grabbed the power and everybody knows that so he must not played too dumbed not to know that. And why fear Gloria? Because she can do anything and everything even paying all those dogs in Congress and in military just to be in power for long period of time. She’s even worse than Marcos! I think Mr. Resmonde is all aware of that!

LACSON ON WHY GONZALEZ SACKED: 2 MORTAL SINS

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090614-210409/Lacson-on-why–Gonzalez-sacked-2-mortal-sins

Sen. Lacson is trying to digress from the issue injecting all sorts of conjectures which at best are his personal assumptions and which like all his many charges exposed in the Senate hearings have remained unproven. Which is also why none of those he accused of criminal acts could be sent to jail least of all charged in court for lack of evidence. Who cares if DOJ Sec. Gonzalez is sacked. Gonzalez is not the issue here. The issue is about giving justice to the families of the murder victims Dacer and Corbito. Lacson is like Gonzalez he talks too much too. He’s better off shutting up and just focus on how to defend himself of the murder charges in court.

If there’s a will, there’s a way! This is a timeless saying that until now it is still very relevant. When congresspeople say that there’s still time to convene a Con-Ass to amend the constitution even if elections would be held tomorrow, they will do that.

So I think there’s always time to do legislation to wipe out poverty. There’s always time to pass the anti-political dynasty act. There’s always time to pass laws that would protect our environment. Actually, there will always be time for our congresspeople to do any legislation that would improve our lives. The question is that is there the will.

Our congresspeople seems would move heaven and earth to get what they want or things that would benefit them but things that would benefit the nation, they would always say that they don’t have the time. Or should I say they don’t have the will.

It’s about time somebody did something about the mystery of the vanishing load. Sen. Enrile’s inquiry into this matter is forthcoming. I wish legislation would be created out of this inquiry to protect the prepaid cell phone users from this kind of racketeering.

mangilabut ku keng abasa kung tagal yang gobernador at kebat magprisinta yang bise i dennis. pangalakas da lub sabyan dayta,bala mu mo atin lang gewang masanting king bayan ning lubao.samantalang ala yang pamagbayu ing bayan a ini. eni nung sabyan dang progresu ing mamye lang pera, dakal la apatalakad eskwela at basketball court para kanaku eh tutung progresu ini. ing pantunan kung progresu ing ating lang permenenti obrang ding tau ning lubao.

nung sakali at tagal la deng adwang deni at kaybat manyambut la, kanita ku manwala na dakal la deng kapampangan
a bobu, ulitan ku in bold letter pa, dakal lang bobung kapampangan istung milyari ini.

dakal a salamat
al

God is really tops! Having cases of H1N1 in the House of Representative is the best warning to those government officials that evil intentions do not succeed. I really hope that God intended this and will take down these congressmen and other government officials who are merciless to the poor and starving Filipinos trying to survive each day.

This is about the local news i read in the inquirer. Last Sunday, which was fathers day, a woman got shot in San Carlos City, Pangasinan. Alice Baun, aged 62, was shot early morning and pronounced dead the very same day. She was my aunt. Experiencing this horror has made me realize just how dangerous it is here in the Philippines. My aunt was just like any other lady who worked and lived with dignity and pride. She was a strict disciplinarian who usually has the tendency of raising her voice, that is probably why a lot of people are mad at her. Even so, it is not reason enough to take her life. Aunt Alice abides by my Grandpa’s creedo of serving the people but in her own special way.

Hired killers have been running rampant in this country for as long as we can remember. Since these types of assassinations still occur its crystal clear that not enough, maybe even none, hired guns are place behind bars. Based on this, i can definitely say that our law enforcement agencies are several years behind nations such as the US. But its not about how poor or how great the police are, its mainly about the welfare of the common populace. I am speaking here not only as a grieving nephew but also as a concerned citizen of this country. STOP THE KILLING! DONT GIVE EXCUSES! For all our sakes.

DepEd: Stop suspending classes (Influenza A(H1N1) virus):

1. DepEd has no plan for this scenario.

2. If a student got sick, DepEd have no financial obligation.

3. If I’m a school administrator I rather suspend classes, until the virus contain.

4. Opening classes result more
contamination, “prevent, protect
against, control and provide a public
health.”

RE: Mikey Arroyo’s claims of presidentiables seeking GMA support:

Sus! matagal nang usap-usapan na talagang itong si Chiz ay hihingi ng suporta sa administrasyon. di mawawala iyan dahil ang NPC is nakakabit sa administration coalition. parang magpipinsan yan. di niya maiiwasang magkipag-kompromiso kay GMA, kung ganoon. di naman papayag si bansot no?

ang mahalaga, maging mapag-isip at mapagmasid ang taumbayan sa mga kandidato… sino ba sa kanila ang may napatunayan nang kakayahan na makapagpabangon sa ekonomiya ng pilipinas? sino sa kanila ang may malawak at may gising nang pananaw sa mga katotohanang umiiral ngayon sa pandaigdigang ekonomiya, pananalapi at relasyon? Saan pupuwesto ang bansang tulad ng Pilipinas? Paano babalansehin ng susunod na Pangulo ang hamon ng mga bagong katotohanang ito at mga puwersa sa loob ng ating bansa na pilit tayong itinatali sa mga makaluma at panis nang mga paraan?

How do we draw in investments, generate enough jobs and increase the salaries of workers to give millions of overseas workers abroad the option to settle down here and invest their human intelligence and productivity in their own country? We are a powerful nation of intelligent and hardworking people who are respectful of civil rights, freedoms and responsibilities (just observe how well Filipinos adjust abroad) but the very powers lying in our rich human resources are terribly diffused and exiled by economic circumstances to serve other nations while our own nation rots inside.

We need a president who has had the real-life training and the track record in understanding and acting on these issues. Who is that leader?

I appeal to the heirs and successors of our former President Corazon Aquino to reconsider their decision to have a private burial for their mother. I appeal to them to allow the Government and the State to give her the honour that befits her most: a State burial complete with the full panoply of State paraphernalia and regalia. For she is not just her heirs’s mothers; she is also our former President. To bury her in a private burial, with out State burial, will be to deprive the Filipino peoples of expressing their thanks to her. So, I appeal to the Aquino children to allow the State to give their mother, who is our President also, the burial fitting for her: a State burial, and not just a private burial.

As a 65 yr old Englishman who has the rare delight of living for the last 8months in the Philippines, I would like to express my sincere condolences on the death of ” Cory”.In my youth very few Westerners were interested in the Philippines or anywhere for that matter.I as a young man, however was very politically aware and watched the Philippines closely, I KNEW that it was certain that NiNoi would not make it, Marcos ,or at least his supporters were so stupid as to think the world would not care! In my small way I tried to tell my countrymen, not interested! I was delighted when Cory stepped up and destroyed that noxious little dictator. You don’t know what you have lost! While Cory lived NO ONE could indulge in political or Military adventurism and succeed, I believe.I do not respect many politicians ,as a rule, but Cory was one that I did very much. I think she was tougher than Mrs Thatcher and that’s saying a something! As I say I am so sorry and will keep her family in my prayers.

The necrological ceremonies for Tita Cory are an example of a miraculous logistical savvy on the part of the organizers - all the men and women behind the ABS-CBN cameras- who despite the nightmarish urgencies and contingencies compounded by the intermitent rain, the little preparation time, and the magnitude of the massing crowd were able to showcase a flawless program of touching speeches and heart-rending songs and sights, of tears of the Filipino people grieving for a lost leader. Thanks ABS-CBN, THANKS ORGANIZERS, THANKS TITA CORY.

Even Mr. Webster should honor Cory Aquino by adding a new word in his dictionary: the word is DEMOCORY which means a woman-led and bloodless revolution in the pursuit of national freedom.

The National Artist Award Secretariat and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) do not have the last say on who gets to be named National Artist. Ultimately, the President has that final say and that is implemented through a Committee on Honors as provided in Executive Order 236 signed by President Gloria Arroyo in 2003. EO 236 is the Honors Code of the Philippines.

This Committee is chaired by the Executive Secretary and has several members: the Head of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS), the Chief of Presidential Protocol, the Chief of Protocol and State Visits of the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Presidential Assistant for Historical Affairs.

Who is the current Presidential Assistant for Historical Affairs? I have not found out yet. I do know who had served in that post: Manuel Quezon III. The current Presidential Assistant for Historical Affairs would know how the 2009 National Artist Award was deliberated and decided upon in Malacanang.

The rules on the National Artist Award provide that there has to be a nomination to start the process of conferring the award on anyone. There is a nomination form that must be submitted either to the NCCA or to the Cultural Center of the Philippines. It is possible that if anyone wants to take a shortcut through the process, the nomination may have been submitted to the Committee on Honors.

So, if anyone wants to know how the anomaly happened and who is responsible, find out who the Presidential Assistant is and get hold of the nomination documentation.

My use of anomaly here is, for now, confined to its mathematical and statistical sense: that this is out of the ordinary.

SALAMAT PRESIDENT CORY!!!
I was still on my early childhood days when former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. was assassinated but I was already aware of what was happening during that time to our country, and that became an eye opener to me and to my fellow countrymen, I even campaigned and make some make-shift posters of CORY-DOY before the snap elections and then so in the 1986 EDSA Revolution, I was part of it even though I was still in my second grade in my elementary days. I cherished every part of the moment that I was once part of our history…. THE EDSA PEOPLE POWER!
So long President Cory, Maraming Salamat po! Paalam po Tita Cory, Mahal na Mahal ka ng sambayanang Pilipino!

To award Caparas as a national artist is to insult excellence by calling it mediocrity. Caparas is not an artist but a run-of-the mill writer and director of cheap forgettable movies. No matter how Caparas looks at himself as a “Professional”, he should know that politics and art do not mix. Be a Panday, Mr. Caparas, and decline the award.

Here are some things we and the Government can further honour both Ninoy and Cory:

1. Put both Ninoy and Cory’s profiles or pictures in every P500.00 bill of our country.

2. Name the month of August as the Aquino Legacy Month, in memory of the deaths of the icons of our Country, Ninoy and Cory, both on the month of August.

3. Rename either the Commonwealth Avenue, or the EDSA, or the C5 avenues, as Corazon Sumulong Cojuangco Aquino Boulevard (CoSCAB) or Corazon Sumulong Cojuangco Aquino Avenue (CoSCAA).

4. Enact the building of statues around the municipalities and cities of our Country in honour of both Ninoy and Cory.

We love them both, Ninoy and Cory. May they always remain in our memories and hearts forever.

About GMA party dining at Le
Cirque and racked up almost P1M dinner bill: Hoy, mga PUBLIC SERVANTS, ang kakapal ng mga mukha ninyo. Don’t you know that our children here eat only am and adults eat only “bachoy”?
Whoever picked up the bill, people’s money pa rin yan dahil lahat kayo dian mga supposed to be public servants. How could you be so insensitive, sorry to say but you all are really and truly WALANG HIYA!!! Chalap chalap kain ninyo, no? Nagmamantika pa mga bunganga ninyo, Sorry I am supposed to say bibig pero for the kind of people you are, you deserve vulgar terms. Magtae sana kayo. Patawarin sana kayo ng Dios at ng mga tao.

1m peso dinner….
This can only show how insensitive and callous our leaders are to the needs of our poor Filipinos.

here you have a president that its ok for her to spend 1m for a dinner and a solon who is more callous to say publicly that its just right.

1m peso, however, you justify it, be it being paid for by other people, your own personally expense or a grace from GOD. this does not justify a leader of a poor country with majority of the population is struggling to get a good decent meal a day!! she should set an example to other government officials what is morally right!

1m peso can provide food for a day for 10000 families. Just Imagine!! it can pay for people to serve the 10000 families.

rather than injecting more stimulus money to other countries economy we should consider that it can help best to inject in in our local economy.

my two cents worth!

On the Palace’s Simple Dinner in NY
(http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090810-219507/Palace-Just-simple-dinner)

I love New York. It is one of the best places to experience the best restaurants in the world. NY has countless of restaurants worth trying. It has the widest selection to fit almost anyone’s budget. Just bring enough money that you can spend for a day, and you have a great food experience in NY.

NY dining doesn’t have to be lavish. In fact, the best are not always in the most expensive. You can go to Ippudo for the best Japanese Ramen, to Pio-Pio for the best Peruvian roasted chicken, to Cafe Habana for the best Mexican-style grilled corn, or even to 53rd-6th at night for the best Halal chicken platter on the streets.

There’s a reasonably priced Saigon Grill for a great Vietnamese meal, Grimaldi’s for the best pizza in Brooklyn and, of course, Kuma Inn for Filipino inspired Asian-fusion cuisines.

Yes, there’s Masa, Per Se and, now the controversial, Le Cirque. You need reservations to get in. You need to be dressed well to get in. And you need to have the money to get in. Sans value for money and any concerns to the economic state of other nations, these restaurants are definitely worth the experience. They are after all not expensive for nothing. If you are going to NY for a visit and you can afford these restaurants, by all means go ahead, indulge, spend and enjoy. Just make sure, though:

1. That you are not a politician from the Philippines; and

2. That you don’t freaking use your taxpayer’s money.

Or else, the New York Post would run an article about you, your opposition would have a press conference party to destroy you, the Church would go against you and the people would never believe any of your excuses or to even let you call a $20,000 dinner event in NY anywhere close to something “simple”.

I’m a Filipino who lives in an area of Maryland 1 hour away from Washington, DC. And, I didn’t even know that Gloria came to town. The local news media did not acknowledge her presence. She is that insignificant here.

Then they spend $20,000 on a dinner. Maybe they didn’t use public funds. Still, America is in a recession. No one has that kind of money. Even here. So, it’s unconscionable.

Who paid for it then? Bernie Madoff? Another crook from NY. Magsama sila!

On Palace NY Dinner
(http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090811-219687/Palace-wont-say-sorry)

People, people, people… Quit it!

If it was a simple dinner, then it probably was. If it was an expensive restaurant, so what?! $20,000 was not spent for her alone. There were around 30 or so of them in the event. That was like $666 per head. Geeez!

Kidding aside, I would rather hear about the President feasting at a good restaurant where her security and health are least likely to be compromised.

It would be fun to see a video of the President eating a hotdog sandwich from a Sabrett stand along Times Square. It would be nice to see her sipping Starbucks coffee as she stroll along the 5th Avenue. And it would definitely be novel to see a picture of her as she waits in line for a Frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity.

But it would be more respectable to see her dining at a decent restaurant. It was an official visit to the US after all. I think it was just proper.

Really, now. She is not your average Filipino on a trip. She is the President. Give it a break.

Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should end her foreign trips to save money and use the budget to buy more computers for the Commission on Elections so they can speed up their work in registering new voters. New registrants suffer long hours of waiting while the president wines and dines abroad using people’s money. The country’s funds should be put to better use than feed this glo-tton president.

Chairman Bayani Fernando means well when MMDA constructs footbridges: decongest pedestrians, secure their safety, and help in the smooth flow of traffic. Unfortunately I have seen several useless footbridges which are apparently mislocated because people hardly use them. On the other hand there are crowded areas that are begging to have footbridges. One of these dangerous areas is the Quirino Highway squeezed by two giant malls- theSM Fairview and Robinsons. During the morning rush and peak hours after work, the streets surrounding these two malls are teeming with visitors who risk life and limb to get to either mall. People have to zigzag their way through speeding, inconsiderate buses and jeepneys, taxis, and private motorists simply because there is only one mislocated footbridge. MMDA Chairman Fernando, and Mayor Sonny Belmonte should look after the safety of the general public and build strategically located footbridges to save lives. Elections are just around the bend and people will remember on election day just who had looked after or forsaken their safety.

eddie villanueva’s motorcade from bocaue to malolos, bulacan last friday included government vehicles of the barangays and municipality of bocaue. this is a gross violation of the law with regards to the use of official vehicles. he is not even an official of the phil. government yet. what more if he is elected president of this country.

We will never again win the Miss Universe pageant unless the organizers make a real beauty and brains contest. A beautiful brain in a beautiful body so to speak. Contestants should submit not only to interviews and press conference to gage how “smart” they are but also to a written general IQ to evaluate how street smart and classroom smart they are. Questions should be phrased in such a way that non-English beauties will not be put to a disadvantage. Then and only then can this world famous contest deserve the distinction of a brain and beauty competition and not a contest of the physical, facial, and “for the eyes only” experience.

Diyos ko naman, tatakbo si Erap as President? Di ba, he was as ousted and convicted of corruption? That’s why the international community look at the Philippines as a joke. No business investor would take us seriously. Please namam, tama na! Mga Filipino magbago na tayo.

kung gusto ni erap na kumandidato,eh hayaan natin sya thats his decision.. ang dapat naman talaga nating punan ng pansin eh yung mga nagiging instant Saint pagdating ng halalan…. kaya wala tayung kaunlaran sa bansa… klaro ng nangloloko eh nagpapaloko naman tayo… if a politician would really help, he may not need a media for the people to know what he is doing,,, pwera nalang kung hindi talaga sya matulungin na nangangailangan pa ng media para ipaalam na nakatulong sya… let their dids speak who they are….. eh papano ang masaklap na katotohanan eh madali lang tayong mauto ng mga politiko….wala naman sigurong mambibili ng boto kung walang nagbibinta nito….. the most important thing that a man should have is education…. sa education tayo magkakaruon ng sapat na tapang at lakas para lumaban para sa katotohanan.. pag alam natin ang bagay bagay sa paligid natin eh hindi tayo madaling mauuto….as if naman na magpapauto parin tayo kahit alam na natin na mali… so GO PINOY!!! AHUN PINAS!!!! WE MUST THEREFORE CLEAN THE REALM OF OUR GOVERNANCE

This is regarding the Philippine Daily Inquirer report on “US combat role reported first in 2002″ by Julie Alipala which can be found at: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090829-222542/US-combat-role-reported-first-in-2002

In 1899, the Americans started their invasion of our nation which was just newly born in 1898. Gen. Ricarte, Gen Antonio Luna, Gen Malvar, Gen Alejandrino, Gen Lukban, Gen Sakay, Maj Torres Bugallon and many of our elder warriors led our resistance against the aggressors. 500,000 to 900,000 of us Filipinos died in that resistance. This was the result of that efficient American Imperialistic Depopulation System. It made our resistance weaker to a large extent. With a weaker resistance, the Americans were able to transmit in our education, defense, political, communication and the whole of our developmental system, an Heredity Injuring Virus. The whole of our supposedly inherited developmental system has been replaced by the Americans with a corrupted version. From a fierce defender of our inheritance– our purity, our newly born nation of 1898, which was cut-off from us, we became worshiping dependents of our invaders.

Today, the American invaders are reaping the benefits of that Heredity Injuring Virus their elder invaders have transmitted to our nation. Today, the corruption of our development has been replicated to further alienate us from our identity. Today, our defense system has turned against us Filipinos who are resisting the foreign invaders. It has become an autodefense disease. Today, our government from one generation to the next serve the needs of our foreign invaders- the Americans in our case. Today, there are fewer of us Filipinos who are still continuing the resistance started by our elder warriors. These are symptoms of the American Imperialism Defilipinization Syndrome.

American invasion still continues. The resistance against the Americans started by our elder warriors has not been concluded yet. Filipinos among us, how long are we going to continue existing with an injured self-respect of a prostitute?

napaka-knee-jerk naman nitong si Mar Roxas. Masyadong scripted lahat ng galaw.

Meron lang madapa nagsasampa agad ng Senate resolution. Ngayon naman pati ba naman pagkamatay ng INC leader Erdy manalo sasakyan pa. Meron na naman siyang resolution.

Bakit inaaksaya niya oras niya sa mga resolusyon para sa mga namatay na?

Naked ambition knows no bounds.

Why did Mar Roxas use a press conference to announce his deference or support for Noynoy? By way, has he officially announced and filed for the presidency in the first place? Why the press conference? Is the motive to get sympathy from the people due to his supposedly “selflessness”? In Tagalog, the description is “kadramahan,” - pure farce, put-on. The basis reason is this: Mar has finally come to his senses. So, he should openly admit that he does not have the support of the people and lacks the charism or even the sympathy to get elected to the highest position of the land. Hopefully he gets more in touch with concerns of the ordinary Filipinos - he probably thought a public relationship with Korina will do the magic but he totally missed the point - Korina alienated him more from the ordinary Filipino. Hay, talaga naman si Mar. Magpakatutuo nalang sana sya.

senator mar roxas’ unexpected withdrawal from the presidential race in favor of senator noynoy aquino is indeed a very unexpected development. i have nothing but admiration for this very gentlemanly move that he initiated.

OK,

I give it to Mar Roxas.

He just withdrew his candidacy for the Presidency.

Dapat ba akong ma-impress?

Konti.

Pero, di kaya he’s just being smart to realize mahina kandidatura niya kaya siya umatras?

Ang hirap na kasing magtiwala sa mga Political Dynasties but reading his credentials talagang impressive. Young achiever. I give him credit for that.

Pero sa karanasan natin sa mga smart at matalino at ambition-driven hindi maganda, eh.

Subukan naman natin iyong medyo lalamya-lamya. Iyong kulang ng fireballs.

Si Noynoy.

Nakasubok na tayo ng Bobo, ng matalino, ng sobrang ganid sa power. . .

subukan naman natin ang talagang kakaibang putahe.

Tsaka iyong moral ascendancy niya talagang mabigat, eh. Makakaya ba ng konsensiya niya sirain pangalang dinadala niya?

The fact that Mar Roxas blinked only shows he is the greater statesman because he willed to sacrifice his own interest in favor of Noynoy’s.. On the other hand, Noynoy seems to be a product of his own fate or call it the Aquino magic. Ninoy left and Cory came; Cory has just left and Noynoy is here. If Noynoy leaves, there is always Kris. Whether he is still Manibalang and inexperienced, Noynoy is fated to be his father and mother’s son- our next president. Say what you want against this duo like they’re not the dream team, but they are absolutely the only “Clean Team” among the presidentiables. Hindi MAG-NA-NA-KAW. Accent on the 3rd syllable; HINDI MAG-NA-NA-KAW, accent on the 2nd syllable.

Noynoy and Chiz belong to the same political category. Both are young, administratively inexperienced and without major legislative accomplishments.
* * * * *
If Noynoy has to consult his siblings before he makes his decisions, why don’t we elect Kris instead for President?
* * * * *
The old political opportunists are always looking for a young and inexperienced candidate that is pliable and easily manipulated.
* * * * *
On Salonga’s analogy on “good” and “bad” trees, was he also referring to Diosdado Macapagal? Perhaps he missed the biblical fact that we all came from a tree of temptation.

all i can say is, i would rather vote for mar roxas than noynoy. another way of putting it is i would rather vote for a person who is very sure of what he’s doing than a person who would base his decision to run on people wearing yellow stuff. what then if he becomes president when every decision he has to make is crucial, does he have to ask the nation to wear yellow or not again? this is just another example of popularity being mistaken for a strong leadership. its not that noynoy is not a good leader or not good at his current job as a senator, all im saying is he’s not that strong and tough, and obviously, he’s not firm in his decisions. and these are basic traits that a president should have. and just to avoid complications, im also not saying that being strong and tough is enough because we’ve already seen what that could do during erap’s fiasco.

i think chiz escudero would make a great president though. our very own JFK! :p

whoever become the president, hope he/she could get our country out of this septic tank that we have been floating for the past years.

I agree Mar Roxas is more seasoned than Noynoy A. Wala pa ako nakitang tao na may masabi kung ano, regarding Senator Aquino while in the Senate and as a senator.

Ok, lets accept it anak siya ng mabuting nanay. Sabi ni DILG Secretary Puno ang mabuting puno ay siguarong mabuti din ang bunga. We Filipinos are hopeful and wishful people. That theory is a myth actually. Sugal ito.

Only clone makes perfect copy. Kahit na clones walang guarantee ito sapagkat physical aspect lang ito. Ang isip ng ama at ina hindi palagi nakukuha ng lahat na anak. Ang tao ay may sariling isip usually independent sa magulang. May mga santo na nagkaroon ng anak na kriminal at may mga kriminal na nag karoon ng anak na santo.

Yes It is the “Cory magic” that fuels Noynoy for President. Part of what is called Cory magic is in fact expression of the people against PGMA or people’s dissatisfaction against PGMA [66% of Filipinos]

And dissatisfied people will go with anybody especially with someone who appears to be “winable” just to punish somebody. I think many Filipinos are willing enough to go into a situation that only time will tell and only God can tell.

Election 2010 is far away though to be definite about people and about outcome.

A man and his female companion were killed in cold blood. That man happens to be a vital witness in a double-murder case implicating an ex-president and a senator.

The deafening silence in the opposition leads one to believe that the mastermind behind the killing did not come from the Administration or from the underworld.

The opposition has been fond of finding the truth but this time their tails are between their legs and they would rather slink away in shameful silence than to let out a whimper of indignation

NAT SCORES

What is being left out and no one is claiming it nationally that cheating is rampant in NAT examinations. So it is of no moment that DepED really can say that there is improvement in the education standards that we have. I personally claim it that there is cheating. I have personally witnesses how it is done. Sad thing is every year since I served as a volunteer teacher it was never corrected. Try asking your children or those who took the exam how they answered their exams. Most common method of cheating is the teacher’s gave the answers.

When a person who is under the witness protection program is hit I think the message is simple. One is not protected. Can law enforcement sleep soundly with that? The answer appears yes it can.

And speaking about cheating, what happened to the big reported cheat in one board exam for nurses that embarssed us Filipinos?

People cheat, politicians cheat, one of the reasons I think is because the hand of justice seems tied and unmoving. What happened to the saying that justice delayed is justice denied? I think the biggest problem in the Philippines is not only in its political system but more so in its justice system.

My point is, there must be speedy justice.

Have you been harassed with false charges and for five years been coming to the Hall of Justice in Q.C. hall just to be told to come back again some months later because your accusers have no guts to face their lies in court? I have.

I think our judiciary system needs some sort of defragmentation or virus scanning so it will run faster.

Speedy justice for both the accused and accuser. Delayed justice more often favors the guilty.

Before Conrado Quiroz beats me, Let me be the first to pun for the sake of election fun in this island in the sun:
piNOYNOYpi