Piercing Pens

Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was executed yesterday after being convicted of crimes against humanity. It shows how the US-sponsored justice system in Iraq is extremely fast. We could only wish the same is true in the Philippines especially in the cases of the late dictator Marcos, ousted President Estrada, and the Arroyo regime.

Around 800 political killings have been recorded in the Philippines, and the current administration could not even be made responsible for failing to prevent such crimes. Of course, Arroyo cannot be impeached because she controls the House of Representatives, and her administration is very “careful” in dealing with the Marcos and Estrada cases. Maybe the families of the victims must wait until 2010. That is, if Arroyo’s maneuvers to stay in power will not succeed.

Meanwhile, human-rights group Amnesty International said Saddam’s rushed execution is “simply wrong.” (more…)

Convicted rapist Daniel Smith, a member of the US Marines, was transferred from Makati City Jail to the US Embassy in Manila tonight , TV and online news reports say.

Interviewed by GMA-7′s Saksi, US Embassy spokesman Matthew Lussenhop could not explain how the transfer took place, and he just repeatedly said that it was a move by the Philippine government to comply with the Visiting Forces Agreement.

Atty. Evalyn Ursua, rape victim Nicole’s lawyer, said the transfer could not have been authorized by a Philippine court. She vowed to file charges against government officials who authorized such “criminal act.”

We could only surmise that the move was made possible through the efforts of the Palace. Looks like the executive is not content with having most of the members of the legislative’s lower chamber in its pocket; it now wants to snatch the judiciary’s powers, too.

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I’m not done with Christmas shopping yet. Some of the gifts I’ll be giving out to friends and co-workers are things that I’ll “create”. It’s hard to think of what to give to my family, though.

My teenaged cousin, for example, is graduating in high school next year. I don’t know if it is okay to just give her two or three cheap prom dresses so she could just select that one that she will wear in case her school decides to hold a graduation party. (Our barangay high school stopped holding the junior-senior prom during my time, and I’m not sure if they’re having it again now). Or shall I just give her books or make up kits?

I still have this weekend to decide on such things. If deciding on gifts to give is difficult, shopping the weekend before Christmas must be worse.

On December 14, Mrs. Arroyo “conceded” that the time is not yet ripe for Charter change. On the same day, her allies at the House of Representatives archived the controversial con-ass resolution.

But even as the Church-organized prayer rally was going on at Luneta last Sunday, Rep. Mat Defensor, a pro-Gloria and pro-Cha-cha congressman, was being interviewed on ABS-CBN News Channel about the prospects of Cha-cha under the Arroyo regime. On Monday, news reports quoted Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita as saying that the administration has not really given up on Cha-cha.

Arroyo issued a statement yesterday, saying Cha-cha is “is a platform commitment of the administration that will be pursued with urgency and fervor.” This confirms the bishops’ suspicions that Arroyo issued the December 14 statement only to discourage people from joining the Luneta rally. (more…)

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During Christmas and other occasions, people come up with their own wish lists. If I would create one, it would be filled with books, DVDs, and gadgets.

Maybe I should also include some clothes. I noticed that I’ve been wearing almost the same set of shirts every week. If I had enough money, I would buy two pairs of shoes, a dozen shirts, and around three pairs of pants. (I don’t know if the Seven Jeans brand is available locally, but is described in an online catalog as an “unbeatable icon of stylish jeans for the sophisticated, sexy individual” and is supposedly “a part of celebrity wardrobes.”)

How about you, what’s on your wish list or to buy list?

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If you are considering having a nose job, you should check out drdayan.com. It is the website of Dr. Steven H. Dayan, a plastic surgeon who performs rhinoplasty in Chicago. The site has a section called “Frequently Asked Rhinoplasty Questions”.

The FAQs range from the simple “What is rhinoplasty?” to advanced concerns such as “Can I drive myself home after my rhinoplasty procedure?”

Like other related sites, the drdayan.com also has a photo gallery.