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.

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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)