Piercing Pens

“President Arroyo’s policy since day one of her administration has been to push the peace process. And peace process means making peace with those fighting the government,” abs-cbnNEws.com quoted Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita as saying.

He should try telling that to the relatives of the more than 800 extrajudicial killing victims, who are mostly critics of the government.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) today reminded President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo that it is the media’s duty is to report the news without any agenda.

The media organization issued the statement after Arroyo invited executives of several media outfits to Malacañang to solicit their help for the last three years of her administration, during which she hopes to build her “legacy.”

“We would like to remind Ms. Arroyo that media’s role - nay, duty - is to report events, good or bad, as they happen and not to spin the news to suit anyone’s agenda, much less conform to anyone’s concept of what balanced reporting, balanced commentary and editorial focus should be,” the NUJP said. (more…)

Antonio Trillanes IV, who rose to national prominence as the spokesman of the young rebel soldiers who staged the so-called Oakwood mutiny on July 27, 2003, is now a senator of the Republic. He was proclaimed at the Commission on Elections earlier today.

Trillanes’ inclusion in the list of winners in the senatorial race came as a surprise for many reasons: one, he consistently ranked outside the magic 12 in the pre-election surveys of SWS, Pulse Asia, and other polling firms; two, he was in detention and was not able to campaign; and of course, the Magdalo’s method was regarded by many as too radical. (more…)

Archbishop Oscar Cruz, though an entry on his blog, has asked Pope Benedict XVI not to accept President Arroyo’s invitation to visit the Philippines.

His Excellency wrote that “a papal visit to the country might be neither wise nor prudent these times.”

“The country is anything but safe and crime free. The visit will give the government officials the salivating occasion to make money for themselves. Furthermore, a papal visit would dignify a national leadership that is suffering from dire lack of moral ascendancy not to mention its big socio-political liabilities,” Archbishop Cruz continued. (more…)

I’m writing this while we’re watching Rounin, a fantasy-adventure series shown on weekdays in ABS-CBN.

Rounin is reportedly not doing well in terms of ratings, which is sad, because the show is a good one. It features great special effects and exciting fight scenes.

Its cast includes popular young stars like Shaina Magdayao, Rayver Cruz, and Angelica Panganiban. Lucky Manzano, who plays Juris, is great in his fighting scenes, but he needs more training in drama.

I should log off now. Tonight’s episode ended after the villains brought Creon (Rafael Rosell) back to life.