April 2008 – Page 3 – ellen tordesillas

There are now 88.5 million Filipinos

Published by Ellen on April 17, 2008

The Philippines’ population rose at a faster rate than its Asian neighbors, increasing demand for food, especially rice, a staple consumed by Filipinos as well as half of the world’s people.

In a report, the government said that the number of Filipinos grew nearly 16 percent to 88.57 million as of August 2007 from 76.50 million in May 2000.

By 2009, with a projected population of 92.22 million, the Philippines will consume 9.75 million metric tons of rice, higher than the expected 9.56 million metric tons to be consumed by Filipinos this year.

All because of a chief of staff’s vindictiveness

Published by Ellen on April 16, 2008

Update: Maj. Aquino was allowed a six- day leave last Friday. He will be able to pay his last respects to his sister.

This appeared in the Tribune, April 16, 2008

A sister had long waited for a brother in her death bed, and when he called, she just saved her last breath to say goodbye to him.

Army Scout Ranger Maj. Jason Aquino never made it to see his sister before she died Monday morning. And to this day, that request, although approved by the military court, has never been honored by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr.

Protesta at bakasyon sa Baguio

Published by Ellen on April 16, 2008

Ang pinakagusto ko sa Baguio ay ang mga bulaklak. Ang gaganda.

Dahil siguro sa lamig kaya nagbu-bloom talaga ng mga bulaklak. Ang lalaki ng mga petals ng milflores. Parang giant repolyo. Ang gaganda ng mga petunia. Ganoon din ang trumpet and candle flowers. Nakaka-enjoy tingnan.

Kaya lang doon lang yun sa Baguio. Kapag tinamim mo ang ganoong tanim rin sa lugar na maiinit, hindi ganun kaganda ang mga bulaklak.

‘It was not Faeldon that ABS-CBN interviewed”- lawyer

Published by Ellen on April 16, 2008

By Joel Guinto

It was not Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon talking in an interview that was aired on television on Tuesday evening, his lawyer said.

“That’s not him. That’s not his style,” said lawyer Trixie Cruz-Angeles, who represents the fugitive rebel officer in civilian and court martial cases.

At the same time, Angeles said the voice clip could be part of a ploy by the military to force Faeldon out of hiding.

The worst is yet to come

Published by Ellen on April 15, 2008

Update on broken rice or binlid

The heart-rending scene of poor people, including children and the physically disabled, lining up for six hours every day for two kilos of rice is a warning of a simmering social volcano.

But the worst is yet to come, says Duncan Macintosh, spokesman of the International Rice Research Institute in a media interview shared with us by a friend.

Macintosh said, “Our concern is for October and November. Were very concerned that the rice production and supply situation in the Philippines may get worse in October and November. “

SC decision on executive privilege expected this afternoon

Published by Ellen on April 15, 2008

[UPDATE, 2 p.m.: The Supreme Court this afternoon ordered Commission on Higher Education chairman Romulo Neri to comment within 10 days on a Senate motion asking the tribunal to reconsider its March 25 ruling uploading executive privilege.]

BAGUIO CITY—The Supreme Court is expected to reach a decision this afternoon on the Senate’s motion for reconsideration on the high tribunal’s ruling upholding the executive privilege invoked by Commission on Higher Education chairman Romulo Neri.

Neri had refused to answer before a Senate inquiry three questions pertaining to the controversial national broadband network project.

Duda sa krisis

Published by Ellen on April 14, 2008

Dahil sa kawalang kredibilidad ng administrasyong Arroyo, marami ang nagdududa kung meron talagang krisis sa bigas kahit na araw-araw maraming mahihirap ay anim na oras na pumipila para lamang makabili ng dalawang kilong bigas sa NFA.

Marami ang nagsu-suspetsa, kasama na si dating Pangulong Estrada at si Jun Lozada ang star witness sa imbestigasyon ng ZTE na gawa-gawa lang ni Gloria Arroyo ang kriris sa bigas para matabunan ang eskandalo ng NBN/ZTE kung saan maaring sabit si Arroyo.

Pathetic

Published by Ellen on April 13, 2008

Spare us, please, the lie that the guilty plea of Captains Gerardo Gambala and Milo Maestrocampo and seven other officers was not the beginning of the devious script that will end with Gloria Arroyo pardoning them.

Gambala and company were a pitiable sight in that presscon last Friday arranged by the military at the Philippine Army Officers Club. It was heartbreaking.

AFP Chief Hermogenes Esperon could have executed the script without subjecting the nine to further indignity with a public plea for pardon. The officers could have just written the fake president a letter. But no, Arroyo and Esperon get their high from torturing people.

Mas krisis sa Oktubre

Published by Ellen on April 12, 2008

Sabi ni Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, “Wala tayong krisis sa pagkain. Ang krisis ay sa presyo”

Kaya mahirap talaga kapag masyado marunong ang isang tao katulad ni Gloria Arroyo at ng kanyang mga kampon dahil ang daming naiisip na anggulo. Sa ordinaryong Pilipino kasi, lalo na sa mahihirap, ang mahalaga ay may makain. Kapag walang makain, krisis yan.

Convicted ex-Magdalo officers seek pardon

Published by Ellen on April 11, 2008

‘Scripted clemency’ playing out?

by Victor Reyes

Nine junior officers who have been meted prison terms by a Makati court for the 2003 Oakwood mutiny yesterday asked for forgiveness for their misdeeds as they said they are seeking “mercy” from President Arroyo.

The nine, led by Capt. Gerardo Gambala, faced the media in a press conference in Fort Bonifacio for the first time since the promulgation of their sentence last Tuesday.

Month: April 2008