Piercing Pens

Journalist groups in Southeast Asia recently issued this statement of support for Filipino journalists in their struggle against the husband of the nation’s most powerful woman:

Statement of support for Philippine journalists from free expression groups around Southeast Asia
26 November 2006

We, representatives of journalist, media, and free expression organizations from around Southeast Asia, and collaborating under the network of the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), applaud the initiative of our colleagues in the Philippines to defend their rights in the face of blatant abuse and harassment from the husband of Philippine president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

We strongly support the filing of a class civil suit against Mr. Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo for his abuse of power and his clear attempt to undermine press freedom in an important member of the Southeast Asian community. (more…)

Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao won by knock out in the round three of his fight with Mexican Erik Morales today at the Thomas & Mack Arena in Las Vegas.

“Pacquiao dropped Morales with a left hand in round two, but Erik got up and fought back hard. Pacquiao knocked down Morales twice in round three and after the last knockdown Morales shook his head no. Pacquiao wins by KO at 2:57 of round three!” Fightnews.com reported.

Filipino-Hawaian boxer Brian Viloria failed to regain the World Boxing Council junior flyweight title that he lost to Omar Nino Romero last August. Their rematch today ended in a draw, according to boxing website Fightnews.com.

“Nino retained his WBC mini-flyweight title with a majority draw,” the report said.

This developed as millions of Filipinos are waiting for the third and final bout between Manny Pacquaio and Mexican boxer Erik Morales.

After nine months in hiding, former senator Gringo Honasan was arrested this morning on charges of coup d’etat. At work, we had to generate a brief biography of the former rebel soldier. Reading his profile on the Senate website, one would notice that there was no mention of the years 1987-1992, which Honasan spent by launching a series of bloody coup attempts against the Aquino administration and being a fugitive.

Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao doesn’t look like this when he’s with Gloria:

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo congratulates newly-crowned 2006 World Pool Champion Ronato Alcano during a courtesy call Tuesday (November 14) at Malacañang’s Music Room. During the same occasion, the President conferred on Alcano the Order of Lakandula with the Rank of Champion for Life. (Photo by: REY BANIQUET/OPS-NIB)

STATEMENT
November 11, 2006

Arrest attempt on Gonzales shows utter disregard for press freedom and the working journalist

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) is extremely alarmed at the attempt by policemen to serve an arrest warrant on Malacañang reporter Mia Gonzales right in the Press Working Area of the Malacañang Press Corps, of which she is vice president for print.

Gonzales, who now writes for Business Mirror, is one of the 43 journalists facing libel suits filed by the president’s husband Joe Miguel “Mike” Arroyo. The suit against Gonzales stemmed from an article on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo published in Newsbreak magazine on June 7, 2004 titled, “Will She Now Change?”. (more…)

After the Democrats gained control of the US Congress in the November 7 elections, US President Bush said in a press conference:

“The message yesterday was clear: The American people want their leaders in Washington to set aside partisan differences, conduct ourselves in an ethical manner, and work together to address the challenges facing our nation.”

Bush was right. The message was clear: the Americans are fed up with him!