Piercing Pens

(March 13, 2007 update: While blog-hopping, i found this March 7 entry by The Purple Phoenix, and I was amused to find we noticed the same things, except for the Gringo part which I missed.)

Some observations in connection with the latest SWS survey:

• Kiko Pangilinan benefitted from the publicity generated by his then unclear status in the so-called Genuine Opposition. And of course, he is Sharon Cuneta’s husband. (I can’t help wondering if James Yap–if he decides to run for the Senate–will also rank high because of Kris Aquino.)
• Alan Peter Cayetano is on the fourth place. The publicity generated by the First Gentleman’s attacks on him must have helped.
• Francis Escudero is on the 6th-7th place. If only he were able to get Bamboo as endorser…
• Michael Defensor is on the 15th place. Does this mean Boy Abunda isn’t an effective campaign ad director?
• Migs Zubiri ranked 17th. I thought Boom Tarat Tarat could land him a Senate post!
• Richard Gomez and Cesar Montano are outside the Magic 12. It seems like the people prefer to see them in the movies than in the Senate.
• Prospero Pichay and Antonio Trillanes IV are both in the 22 to 24th place. And to think you see Pichay’s face almost every ten minutes on TV! Partida pa yan because Trillanes is in prison.

(more…)

Gemma Bagauaya, editor of the online newsmagazine Newsbreak, is being held at the Pasig Police Station after she was picked up about 2:45 p.m. Wednesday at Newsbreak’s office in Mandaluyong City.

Bagauaya may have to stay in jail overnight if the police refuse or fail to process Bagauya’s papers for her to post bail before the end of the business hours.

Bagauaya was arrested on a P100-million libel case filed by Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, a senatorial candidate in the May elections and a close ally of President Arroyo. (more…)

Our apologies for the long silence.

It’s election season once again. It’s good that the so-called Genuine Opposition finally dropped Kiko Pangilinan from its slate. Why force Kiko to join their group when he appears reluctant to be identified with them?

Let him run as independent, and his real stance will be noted.

“The DOLE is mandated to promote gainful employment opportunities, develop human resources, protect workers and promote their welfare, and maintain industrial peace.”

Those words are written on the front page of the Department of labor and Employment website.

Then, we hear on the news that the labor secretary will ask the President to veto the wage hike bill.

Weird.

Update from Newsbreak distributed by NUJP:

Arraignment set for Newsbreak editors

Editors of Newsbreak will be arraigned on January 10, Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. at the Regional Trial Court, Branch 6, Manila City Hall.

Six Newsbreak editors were charged with libel in November last year as a result of a story on the First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo the fortnightly news magazine published in December 2003. Scheduled to be arraigned are Marites Danguilan Vitug, editor in chief; Glenda M. Gloria, managing editor; Ricky Carandang, former business editor; R.E. Otico and Jose Dalisay Jr., editorial consultants; and Booma Cruz, former contributing editor.

The resolution dated Nov. 13, 2006 and penned by Fredy Gomez, assistant city prosecutor (Manila), said that we, the accused, “meant and intended to convey false and malicious insinuations” against the First Gentleman, “imputed… a crime…” and therefore our story was “highly libelous and offensive and derogatory to the good name, character and reputation…of the First Gentleman.”

The resolution further said that the article was “solely prepared, written, and published by the accused for no other purpose than to impeach and besmirch” Mr. Arroyo. (more…)

Popular People Power 2 figure Sergio Apostol–a member of the prosecution panel in the failed impeachment trial against ousted President Joseph Estrada known for his “Madam Wetness” line–is now Gloria Arroyo’s Presidential Chief Legal Counsel. He reportedly threatened to file a counter-suit seeking to disbar lawyer Evalyn Ursua for “ignorance of the law.”

Ursua and other lawyers of Subic rape case victim Nicole is questioning the Arroyo administration’s decision to surrender custody of convicted rapist Daniel Smith to the United States.

Ursua is unfazed by Apostol’s threat.

“It’s his right. I won’t dignify his statements. He should also charge former Senators Jovito Salonga and Wigberto Tañada. I’ll be in good company,” GMANews.tv quoted her as saying.

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…)