Piercing Pens » People

The Change that the Philippines Needs?

Julian Alejandro — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 16:11:32 +0000

Priest-turned-governor Among Ed Panlilio of Pampanga is now considering running for president in 2010 with Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca as his running mate, says an Inquirer report.

Both Panlilio and Padaca are non-trapos who defeated powerful politicians in their respective provinces.

Panlilio and Padaca, with other reform-oriented public servants, have been practicing and preaching good governance.

Are they the change that the Philippines needs?

Journalist Bayani Abadilla Passes Away

Julian Alejandro — Thu, 15 May 2008 11:33:10 +0000

From Pinoy Weekly:

Ka Bay passes away

Bayani Abadilla, writer, professor and journalist, passed away last May 14 after a long battle with lymphoma.

Son of pioneering Filipino modernist poet Alejandro G. Abadilla, Bayani was a veteran of the First Quarter Storm. He was one of the founders of the progressive writers group Paksa or Panulat Para sa Kaunlaran ng Sambayanan and wrote for various underground and opposition newspapers and publications during Martial Law.

After the fall of the Marcos dictatorship, Bayani taught at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines upon PUP Pres. Nemesio Prudente’s return to the university in 1986.

He continued to write for progressive publications like Ang Masa. He also wrote for the Filipino broadsheet Diario Uno during the Estrada administration.

He was a well-loved Literature professor in PUP and scholar of the Filipino language until his retirement in 2003.

In 2006, he published his first collection of poems, Sigliwa Kamao.

At the time of his death, he was associate editor for Pinoy Weekly, a progressive newsmagazine in the Filipino language.

He is survived by wife Patricia, son Magtanggol and daughters Lualhati, Malaya and Filipinas. He was 67 years old.

He is interred at Funeraria Paz at Araneta Avenue, Quezon City. A tribute for Ka Bay will be given by friends and colleagues will be held on May 17, Saturday, 7pm. He will be laid to rest on May 18, Sunday.

Turning the Tables on Emano

Julian Alejandro — Fri, 09 May 2008 01:55:53 +0000

Earlier this month, Paulino Emano, mayor of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, claimed in a television interview with GMA-7 that the South Korean firm Hanjin Heavy Industries Construction Company, Ltd. offered him $400 worth of contract in exchange for the diversion of a part of river in his town where Hanjin is constructing a shipyard.

Emano had ordered Hanjin to stop the construction for lack of required documents such as environmental compliance certificate and municipal building permit. When Mrs. Arroyo visited his province, Emano said he told Arroyo about the offer, but she said nothing about it. She even reportedly scolded him for stopping the project.

On the night that Emano’s interview was shown on TV, Malacanang — in an apparent attempt to prevent another ZTE bribery scandal — issued a statement saying that Arroyo would never violate any law. The next day, the secretary of interior appeared on TV, saying the Palace has received reports that Emano attempted to extort money from Hanjin, and he will face investigation.

Emano, an Arroyo ally, has since recanted his claim.

“Lakas Pala Kampi Kay Gloria”

Julian Alejandro — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 01:36:03 +0000

SunStar reported that DENR Sec. Lito Atienza will not attend today’s Liberal Party elections at the Club Filipino. He reportedly said he was not invited, contrary to the supposed media announcements that members of his faction are welcome to the event.

The media announcements must be bola lang. Why should Lakas Pala members be invited to a Liberal Party meeting? They should just join Lakas and Kampi and form a new party called “Lakas Pala Kampi Kay Gloria”.

Alioden Dalaig, 63

Julian Alejandro — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 03:47:38 +0000

When I heard the news about the killing of Atty. Alioden D. Dalaig of the Commission on Elections last Saturday, my first reaction was revulsion at how killers in the Philippines continue to be so brazen.

More than 800 activists and journalists have been killed since the start of the Arroyo administration in 2001. The killers have also targeted lawyers and judges–and now, even civil servants like Dalaig. As long as the culture of impunity remains, this series of violence will most likely not be broken.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) – Cite This Source – Share This im·pu·ni·ty Audio Help [im-pyoo-ni-tee] Pronunciation Key – Show IPA Pronunciation

–noun

1. exemption from punishment.

2. immunity from detrimental effects, as of an action.

[Origin: 1525–35; < L impūnitās, equiv. to im- im-² + pūnitās punishment (pūn- (s. of punīre to punish) + -itās -ity); see punitive]

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez wrote a personal tribute for Dalaig on his blog. Here’s an excerpt:

He was one of the last of his breed – a COMELEC warrior who dealt with politicians fiercely and firmly, had only snarling patience for those who gratuitously bad-mouthed the COMELEC and its personnel, but who was gentler than strangers imagined, and who was every COMELEC employee’s friend.

Jun Macarambon, son of newly appointed Comelec Comissioner Moslemen Macarambon, said the “news is kinda scary“. They learned of Dalaig’s killing while celebrating his father’s appointment.

Moslemen T. Macarambon, Sr.

Julian Alejandro — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 08:52:00 +0000

Update: WyzeMoro has posted a CV of his father here.

Moslemen T. Macarambon Sr. has been appointed a new Commission on Elections Commissioner.

Not much is known about him at this time, except that he is a former RTC Judge in Iligan City and father of fellow blogger Moslemen Macarambon Jr , a.k.a. WyzeMoro.

There are reports linking Macarambon to former Comelec Commissioner Virgilio “Hello Garci” Garcillano. We asked Wyzemoro if his father is the same person as a certain Renault or Lou Macarambon, who was mentioned in the “Hello Garci” tapes.

This is his reply:

NO! Renault or Lou is different. My dad is not in the hello garci tape. I hope this clarify. Thanks for asking.

In an interview with Macarambonon ANC, he said he knows Garci, but Arroyo’s phonepal probably does not know him.

More on Macarambon’s appointment at the PCIJ blog.

Photo Credit: http://moslemenjr.macarambon.com

The Verdict: Estrada is Guilty of Plunder

Julian Alejandro — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 03:29:27 +0000

The Sandiganbayan today

found former President Joseph Estrada guilty of the crime of plunder. He was sentenced to reclusion perpetua or up to 40 years in prison. He was, however, acquitted in his perjury case. His co-accused in the plunder case, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and Atty. Edward Serapio, were also acquitted.

Click here to read the Sandiganbayan Decision on the Estrada Plunder Case.

Malu Fernandez WTF on Technorati

Julian Alejandro — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 18:14:06 +0000

Below is a Technorati Where’s the Fire? (WTF) on Malu Fernandez. Technorati defines WTFs as “short blurbs that explain the buzz around people, things, or events—why the hot topics are so hot—and you can vote the best ones to the top.”

Society columnist Malu Fernandez of the Philippines, in her now-controversial People Asia article “From Boracay to Greece,” insulted overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) that she encountered in a plane trip to Greece.

Fernandez wrote that she “wanted to slash [her] wrist at the thought of being trapped in a plane with all of them,” referring to the OFWs at a duty-free shop in Dubai, UAE. She also wrote that the OFWs were noisy and that her “Jo Malone [perfume] evaporated into thin air” while they smelled of cheap perfume brands.

Because of this article, anti-Malu Fernandez sentiments filled the Philippine blogosphere in the recent weeks. Some Filipino bloggers called for her resignation from People Asia and the Manila Standard, where she also used to write a lifestyle column. Other bloggers called for a boycott of these publications, while a group of Filipino journalists in Dubai demanded an apology.

Though she initially dismissed her critics in a follow-up article, Fernandez eventually issued an apologetic statement and gave in to demands for her resignation from these publications.

Full text of article:

http://ederic.tinig.com/images…

http://ederic.tinig.com/images…
http://manilastandardtoday.com…

Angry bloggers and OFWs:

http://tingog.com/social-conce…
http://selvo.wordpress.com/200…
http://ederic.tinig.com/malu-f…
http://pedestrianobserver.blog…
http://quezon.ph/?p=1473
http://maruism.wordpress.com/2…

http://peopleasia.multiply.com
http://tinig.com/filipino-pres…

Resignation and apology:

http://geocities.com/fernandez…
http://piercingpens.net/archiv…

The Malu Fernandez WTF was written by Technorati.com member ederic

Trillanes, Paglingkurin! Movement Launched

Julian Alejandro — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 17:04:48 +0000

Ellen Tordesillas’ blog reposted a report on the launch of “Trillanes, Paglingkurin!” movement, which included former Vice President Guingona and former UP President Francisco Nemenzo.

The group will do a nationwide campaign to exert pressure on the Arroyo government “to allow detained senator Antonio Trillanes IV to perform his duties as a lawmaker.” Trillanes, Paglingkurin! movement’s unity statement is reposted on Tinig.com, and the group could be contacted at trillanespaglingkurin@gmail.com.

The Senate has earlier adopted a resolution with a similar call, and Senator Miriam Santiago warned them that they may be courting contempt of court. While their cause is just–and will surely be popular–I’m concerned that VP Guingona, Ka Dodong and other personalities in Trillanes, Paglingkurin! movement are doing the same. I hope my lawyer online friends would enlighten me.

A solicited advice to the group: you may want to get the OFWs and bloggers to join your cause. The Malu Fernandez controversy illustrates why.

Winners of the 2007 Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs

Julian Alejandro — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:30:32 +0000

Congratulations to the winners of Digital Filipino‘s Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs [in the Philippines] for 2007:

They were recognized during a grand eyeball on the night of August 1 at Max’s Restaurant in Park Square 1 in Makati City. The following participants won $100 each in the raffle held that night:

~~Here are some accounts from those who attended the EB:~~

Here are some entries about the event:

Being Filipino

Julian Alejandro — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 04:10:56 +0000

There is an on-going discussion at Yuga’s blog on why American columnist Michelle Malkin is not included in the list of Filipino bloggers. Yuga says Malkin is clearly “of Filipino descent.”

But there is of course a difference between being of Filipino descent and being Filipino. In her Piercing Pens entry “Defining the Filipino”, Oriah wrote:

But who is and what makes a Filipino? For many of us, being born a Filipino citizen is the key. For some, just tracing your roots to one Filipino makes you one. As for me, citizenship is earned, not laid out on a silver platter. We work to earn the title of being true blue Pinoys.

Defining the Filipino is still a challenge for most of us but one thing I am certain, it’s not just ancestry or bloodline or eating adobo that defines us.

In another entry, I wrote that “… there’s something wrong when we call these foreigners with Filipino blood in them [Pinoys] and treat them as if they’re one of us. The truth is, they are no longer ours.”

I then quoted Rey Rojo, a Filipino student in the United Kingdom, who wrote a piece for INQ7:

The people that have emigrated from our country are no longer ours to claim. They–or their parents–chose to leave the Philippines and live as Americans. Why can’t we let go of them?

These Filipino-foreigners to whom we impose our culture and our identity should make the first claim of having Filipino origins. After all, it is not they that require attention; it is we who are hungry for positive world acknowledgment and praise.

Yuga said he places Malkin in the same category as Caterina Fake of Flickr, apl.de.ap of Black Eyed Peas, Nicole Scherzinger of Pussycat Dolls, actor Rob Schneider or even designer-blogger Bryan Veloso. But most, if not all, of these people have expressed their pride–or at least interest–in being Filipino.

On the other hand, Malkin acknowledges her Filipino descent, but she denounced our nation when we were rejoicing for Angelo de la Cruz’s freedom from Iraqi kidnappers in 2004. She wrote that she’s “deeply, mortifyingly ashamed of [her] parents’ native land” because President Arroyo “has crumbled like a fried lumpia wrapper under pressure from radical Muslim terrorists.”

Do we still want to call this woman a “Filipino (or Filipina) blogger”?

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV

Julian Alejandro — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 11:31:27 +0000

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.

Despite all these, Trillanes still made it. The people seemed so united in placing the rebel, who is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy and the University of the Philippines, to the upper house of Congress.

Senator Trillanes’ proclamation was hailed even by the leftists, according to a GMANews.tv report.

“The votes for Trillanes are undoubtedly votes against the Arroyo regime. He is the most vocal in calling for the ouster of Arroyo,” Bayan chair Carol Araullo said in a statement.

For their part, the Partido ng Manggagawa said: “We believe workers, together with the people, supported the campaign of Trillanes because they found him credible as a modern-day rebel with a cause. The workers expect Trillanes to take up the cause of the workers as much as of the soldiers and the people.”

In an interview with reporters, Senator Trillanes said his victory “is solely the people’s victory.”

“Wala akong gagawin kundi suklian ito ng serbisyo publiko (I will return the favor with public service),” he said.

Among the Magdalo soldiers, it was Trillanes who is most consistent in his anti-Arroyo stance. He vowed to work for Arroyo’s ouster and promised to leave his pork barrel untouched.

In the circus that was the Philippine 2007 national elections, Trillanes’ victory–like that of Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca and Pampanga Gov. Fr. Ed Panlilio–is an oddity. Yet, it reflects a little ray of hope in the usually pointless political activity: People Power–genuine people power–could sometimes be demonstrated in the Philippine elections.

Prospero Pichay

Julian Alejandro — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 18:26:39 +0000

We’re starting a “Pierce the Candidates” series to help our readers get to know our senatorial candidates better. Each posting will be updated as we gather new information about a particular candidate. For our first piercing, we’d like to start with administration bet Prospero “Butch” A. Pichay, Jr.

Pichay was born on June 20, 1950 in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur. He has a son named Carlo, who is proud of his father.

Pichay, a Commerce graduate of De la Salle University, has been the representative of the first district of Surigao del Sur since 1998. Before entering the Congress he was a businessman. He was the owner of Carlo Commercial Printing and Carlo Publishing, which reportedly published the tabloid Remate.
Aside from being Pro-Pinoy, Pichay could also be described as pro-night clubs. SunStar reported that in 2003, when the Justice department wanted to bar government officials from going to bars and girlie joints, Pichay vehemently opposed the plan. According to SunStar, he said that preventing government officials from going to bars is the “highest form of hypocrisy” and violates the right to privacy. “Moralizing is very subjective. We should not mix it with governance,” Pichay was quoted as saying.

The laws of which he is the primary authors are Republic Act 9355, which created the Province of Dinagat Islands; RA 9340, which amended RA 9164 to extend the terms of office of barangay officials and reset the date of barangay elections, and RA 9344, the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act. Here is a link to the list of his bills and resolutions in the 13th Congress.

The TEAM Unity candidate and vocal defender of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo says it is his dream to make the Filipinos’ dreams come true. His official biography says Pichay believes that a dream ceases to be one when you will it. Arroyo said Pichay will work for the development of Mindanao. In the TEAM Unity website, listed as Pichay’s platforms are:

* Livelihood
* Education
* Disaster management and environment
* Alternative energy resources
* Defense and National Security
* Youth and sports development

Pinoy Votester 2007 reports that Pichay

Stood for implementation of Mining Act of 1995 and Charter Change, and supported mining and logging companies in his province; called for a review of the VFA but with US permission; opposed calls for commercial log ban, does not believe in the culpability of the military on extrajudicial killings.

Being the current president of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, his present motto is: “Make the Right Move, Play Chess!”

Despite his television ads that are aired very often, Pichay fails to make in the top 12 in the surveys. In the latest Pulse Asia survey, he is only one rank ahead of Antonio Trillanes, who cannot campaign because he is in jail .

Pichay doesn’t seem to very popular among Filipino bloggers, too. Search Pichay on Technorati and you will find comments like this:

“I am not saying that he is a trapo (traditional politician) so that he may be called a dino politician – meaning, a totally ancient and extinct politician. I am also not saying that I won’t vote for him. Though, it’s pretty obvious huh?” (dreamshadow)

Despite this, however, we have to admit that Pichay has one of the best election ads on YouTube. His theme song, Bagong Umaga, was performed by the popular band 6cyclemind. His ad has also spawned funny spoofs on YouTube, such as this and this.

Official website

Pichay’s profile at GMANews.tv

Pichay’s profile at Inquirer.net

Borgy Manotoc and Ornusa Cadness for PETA

Julian Alejandro — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 04:17:16 +0000

(Text and photo courtesy of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

Manila — Posing in a jungle setting with their naked bodies covered only with painted-on tiger stripes next to the tagline “Even the Wildest Animals Don’t Belong in Zoos,” top Filipino models Ornusa Cadness and Borgy Manotoc appear together in the first of a series of three ads for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia-Pacific.

Local postcard advertising company YOCard has printed 10,000 postcards of the ad and is now offering them at various restaurants, bars, bookstores, and cultural areas around the metro free of charge. The couple also stars individually in print ads with the tagline “Keep Wild Animals Free–Boycott the Zoo.” The ads were shot by ace photographer and PETA volunteer Xander Angeles. Indie film luminary Dante Mendoza donated his services to create the amazing set, and Leo Posadas was behind the makeup for the shoot.

Why do zoos have Cadness and Manotoc baring their claws? In the wild, animals spend their entire lives with their close-knit families. But in zoos, animals are separated from their families as babies and are sentenced to a lifetime of boredom, loneliness, and abuse–leading to self-mutilation and other abnormal and self-destructive behaviors called “zoochosis.”

Zoos claim that they educate people and preserve species, but they rarely succeed on either count. Zoos present visitors with a distorted view of wildlife. Tigers roam territories of up to 650 square kilometers in the wild, but the entire Manila Zoo measures only 0.055 square kilometers! Even the biggest zoos cannot provide the space, exercise, privacy, or mental stimulation needed by the animals they imprison, much less fulfill their other complex needs.

Named one of the “10 most beautiful women” by Mega magazine, Cadness’ exotic looks have landed her on many magazine covers. The multi-talented Manotoc is a radio and TV host and club DJ, in addition to his busy career as a top male model.

“I hope people will see these ads and think twice about visiting the zoo,” says Cadness.

“Zoos are a business; they make money by exploiting animals,” Manotoc adds. “Cages severely inhibit the animals’ natural behavior, and often animals in zoos are mistreated. Wild animals need to be free–that’s the best way for people to appreciate and learn about them.”

While similar postcard advertising companies exist throughout London, New York, and Hong Kong and have featured PETA ads, YOCard is the first to bring this innovative concept to the Philippines. YOCard postcards are distributed at the hottest locations around metro Manila, including Ricco-Renzo, Annabel Lee, Temple Bar, Caf� Benissimo, Green Papaya, UP Film Center, Active Fun, Fluid Lounge, Life Coffee & Tea, National Museum, Icing’s, AAK Fitness Center, San Mig Cafe, Metro Bar, Mojo Gym, PETA Theater, Popular Bookstore, Bizu, Jack’s Loft, Cerealicious, and all outlets of Fullybooked, Music One, and Elorde Gym.

For more information, please visit WildlifePimps.com.

UP Mass Comm Profs on Satur Ocampo

Julian Alejandro — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 11:31:18 +0000

From Prof. Danilo Arao of the UP College of Mass Communication via Bryanton Post:

This press statement released on March 20 (Tuesday) was signed by 18 faculty members of the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication (UP CMC) led by Dean
Elena Pernia. For verification, please call the UP CMC Department of Journalism at 920-6852.

The undersigned faculty members of the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication (UP CMC) condemn in the strongest possible terms the filing of multiple murder charges against Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo which resulted in his arrest and detention last March 16.

That the charges were filed during the election season is already questionable, especially since
Ocampo’s Bayan Muna Partylist group is running for representation in the House of Representatives and has been repeatedly accused by the powers-that-be as a communist front. The situation is preposterous as the crimes he allegedly committed happened more than
two decades ago while he was in detention.

The authorities even had the audacity to push for his transfer to Hilongos, Leyte — where the case against him was filed — despite the scheduled oral arguments before the Supreme Court on
March 23. If Rep. Ocampo can be denied due process, what kind of treatment can others similarly accused expect from this government?

Rep. Ocampo’s wife, Prof. Carolina Malay, was a faculty member of the UP CMC Department of Journalism from 1992 to 2000, during the last five years of which she was department chair. We
admired Prof. Malay then for her dedication to the teaching and journalism profession, and we commend her at this point for her strength and unwavering resolve to fight for truth
and justice. We join her in her struggle to uphold and protect our basic freedom.

We call on the authorities to stop harassing Ocampo and his co-accused and to respect their basic rights. An administration that claims to be both legitimate and serving the interest of
the people is expected to do no less.

Dr. Elena E. Pernia, dean
Dr. Lourdes Portus, college secretary
Dr. Arminda Santiago, chair, graduate studies
Prof. Fernando Austria, chair, broadcast communication department
Dr. Nicanor Tiongson, professor, Film Institute
Dr. Georgina R. Encanto, professor, journalism department
Prof. Luis V. Teodoro, professor, journalism department
Dr. Jose R. Lacson, professor, communication research department
Dr. Roland Tolentino, professor, Film Institute
Dr. Perlita Manalili, associate professor, broadcast communication department
Prof. Danilo A. Arao, assistant professor, journalism department
Prof. Marichu C. Lambino, assistant professor, journalism department
Prof. Yvonne T. Chua, assistant professor, journalism department
Prof. Ma. Cristina I. Rara, assistant professor, journalism department
Prof. Violeda A. Umali, assistant professor, communication research department
Prof. Jane Vinculado, assistant professor, broadcast communication department
Prof. Shirley P. Evidente, assistant professor, broadcast communication department
Prof. Andres Sevilla, lecturer, communication research department

Punishing Satur Ocampo

Julian Alejandro — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 16:56:00 +0000

Text messages protesting Manila Police’s plan to transfer Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo to Leyte woke me up this morning. One message said Ocampo’s wife, retired UP journalism Prof. Carolina Malay, was asking their friends to gather in front of the Manila Police District building where her husband was detained. Other text messages were invitations to a forum in defense of Ka Satur.

I also received another one saying the police’s treatment of Ocampo was very reminiscent of martial law. Ocampo was forcibly taken from the general assignments section to a van that would take him to the airport. The police, who said it was their job to present Ocampo to the court, had to literally drag the congressman, who refused to go to Leyte fearing that his life would be in danger. Ocampo’s fear was not unfounded, given the state security forces’ passion for neutralizing its perceived enemies.

A Leyte court has issued a warrant of arrest against Ocampo on charges of multiple murder for his alleged involvement in the purge of suspected deep penetration agents in the communist movement in the 1980s. The military claimed it has uncovered a mass grave of purge victims in Inopacan town in Leyte last year. A military witness also accused Ocampo–who was in prison at that time– of personally directing the purge in 1985. The National Democratic Front called the Leyte mass grave “a massive hoax”.

Ocampo’s supporters have pointed out the irregularities in the legal process that led to his arrest last week. “The warrant of arrest is illegal because the judge did not examine the affidavit executed by the witnesses,” said the Inquirer quoted former Sen. Tañada as saying. It seems like things were done in haste.

Last year, the administration filed rebellion charges against Ocampo and his colleagues. It earlier accused them–without presenting a single evidence–of funelling their pork barrel to the New People’s Army. When these charges did not prosper, it came out with the Leyte mass graves.

Watching the video of Congressman Ocampo being dragged and shoved into a van by the police, I can’t help but ask myself why things such as this happen in this country rumored to be a democracy.

Meanwhile, here are other bloggers’ thoughts on this:

Also, is it me or is the military and the police now in charge of our government, given how they’ve ignored the usual judicial processes? But seeing how our government seems to be incompetent in dealing with these things, no wonder they’re in charge. –Banzai Cat

There’s nothing wrong about a prisoner transfer, without a court order, being funded out of someone’s personal funds? –Uniffors

Now they realize, they made a fool of themselves in their effort to persecute Satur. paano kasi kung ano-anong scapegoat ang hinahanap sa mga palpak nila. Lalong pumapalpak. –Ellen Tordesillas

Blame it on Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo for fighting for civil liberties. –Nealyn Reyes

“Upon landing back in Manila,
Satur was greeted by the news
that the latest survey of Pulse Asia:
it ranked BAYAN MUNA as the #1 Party List group
in the May elections,” – spanx

Ocampo Dragged Out of MPD (GMANews.tv video)

Julian Alejandro — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 15:25:33 +0000

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For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

In Imelda’s World…

Julian Alejandro — Wed, 22 Sep 2004 13:33:08 +0000

Did you see GMA-7 reporter Tina Panganiban Perez’s interview with Imelda Marcos last night?

From that interview, we could conclude that in Imelda’s world, the following are inalienable truth:

Martial Law gave us not only freedom, justice, and democracy but also dignity and identity.
The dictator’s reign was peaceful.
Imelda was never extravagant.
Martial Law was one of the greatest periods in Philippine history.

On the other hand, these are fiction:

Tens of thousands of detractors of marcos were jailed, tortured and executed without due process. Human rights were violated.
The freedom of expression, including the freedom of the press was curtailed.
Ferdinand Marcos plundered between five and 10 billion dollars from the national coffers and left us in poverty.
The Marcos regime left huge debts that we are still paying until now.
Martial Law instituted a culture of lies and corruption.

Image from Guardian Unlimited @ Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004

Gloria’s Deadlines

Julian Alejandro — Mon, 20 Sep 2004 15:16:18 +0000

“I am not a traditional politician who likes to give promises and deadlines…”
- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, March 8,2001

No matter how much she denies it, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo just loves giving deadlines.

A news release posted on the government’s official website said the President on Friday gave newly-installed Customs Commissioner George Jereos “two months to stamp out smuggling.”

“Let’s zero in once again on smuggling… While we clean up our finances, we shall also rid society of its dregs and misfits,” the President was quoted as saying during the 50th anniversary celebration of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Incorporated (FFCCCII).

Another release posted today on the same site said the Palace will closely monitor the Bureau of Custom’s compliance to the President’s order.

Oh really? Wish ko lang!

It must remembered that on February 28 last year, Arroyo gave the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) 90 days to wipe out the Abu Sayyaf. Nothing came out of that deadline. The Abu Sayyaf is still in Mindanao and an alleged ranking leader was even reportedly arrested just this month.

Early in her term–on April 2001–she “urged” the communist rebels to set October 2002 as a deadline for the completion of the peace talks. It looks like she later gave another deadline because CyberDyaryo on January 2002 published a statement by the Leftist Bagong Alyansang Makabayan reacting to a six-month deadline on peace talks.

Meanwhile, a May 13, 2003 OPS report said Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye “disclosed moves to impose on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) a two-week deadline to make a categorical stand on whether or not they want to pursue the peace talks.” A week later, while she was in the US, Arroyo denied giving such a deadline.

“Doing a Thaksin,” as Prof. Luis Teodoro puts it, Arroyo on June 19, 2003 also gave the police 90 days to neutralize big fishes in the drug business. She later clarified that it was not a deadline but just a “work program at the end of which there must be a strategic and convincing results.” Okay Very nice palusot! She must have realized that in this country full of corrupt people, it is impossible to stop those evil drug lords and pushers in just three months. To announce you could do such is just making “papogi.”

Later in the year, when Lieutenant Antonio Trillanes and his group staged the Oakwood siege, the President warned them to surrender on or before 5 o’clock of July 27. But as the BBC reported, the mutineers defied this deadline. It was of course extended. I think though, that in this particular case, such extension was justified since Arroyo wanted to prevent bloodshed.

With the President’s latest deadline, let’s see how much her new Customs commissioner could do to stop smuggling — which, according to the Fair Trade Alliance — robs the country of P174.17 billion a year!

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo shakes hands with Robin Sy, president of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Incorporated. (FFCCCII), upon her arrival at the 50th Anniversary of the FFCCCII held Thursday evening (September 17) at the Grand Ballroom of the Manila Hotel in Manila. Looking on are FFCCCII chairman emeritus Dr. Lucio Tan (center) and Manila Mayor Joselito Atienza (right). (Malacanang Photo)

War on Iraq is Illegal — UN SecGen Annan

Julian Alejandro — Fri, 17 Sep 2004 04:30:52 +0000

Of course, we knew it all along. It’s just that there are stubborn people who insist otherwise.

According to a news release by the UN News Service, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan “had reiterated his well-known position that the military action against Iraq was not in conformity with the UN Charter” in a BBC interview.

When repeatedly asked if the war is “illegal,” Mr. Annan finally answered: “Yes… I have indicated it is not in conformity with the UN Charter, from our point of view, and from the Charter point of view it was illegal.”

A UN spokesman, Mr. Fred Eckhard said that this had been Annan’s longstanding view. “He has over the past more than a year used the words ‘not in conformity with the Charter’ to describe his view of the Iraq war and of course one of his purposes in establishing the UN panel on change was to look at the question of preventive war and try to bring that in conformity with the Charter principles, which do not promote preventive war,” Mr. Eckhard said.

The report also quoted Annan as saying he hopes “we do not see another Iraq-type operation for a long time.” He noted that such action needed UN approval and a much broader support of the international community.

I’m sure Bush and his minions would say, “What international community?”

What else should we expect? It is after all the same administration that refuses to recognize the UN’s International Criminal Court and pressured its allies–including the Philippines0–not to subject US citizens in those countries to the ICC.

What the GIL?

Oriah Satria — Wed, 23 Jun 2004 04:18:24 +0000

Eddie Gil, the annoying would-be presidentiable is not just boasting of his trillions of money today. Aside from an album, a cameo role in the movie Volta and tv guestings, he�s now making movies�and perhaps more money than he claims to have. He may as well pay our debts, which by the way stands at P3.35-trillion, according to the Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) .

***

One tv report caught my attention today amidst the brouhaha on the yes proc or no proc scenario. A Singaporean national was robbed of his cellphone and wallet in Malate. What�s the big deal you ask? Well instead of kicking the thief�s ass and filing a complaint, the Singaporean refused to file charges and even gave his cellphone to his assailant as a gift. Now that�s getting what you don�t deserve.

Brats

Julian Alejandro — Tue, 22 Jun 2004 20:57:39 +0000

Don’t you just hate it when you hear about spoiled, rich kids trying to kill each other?

How about when one of those involved is a son of a senator of the Republic?