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Month: April 2012

No such thing as strange bedfellows in politics

Published by Ellen on April 29, 2012

Who was it who said,” In politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies, just permanent interests?”

That is evident in the alliances that are being formed in preparation for the 2013 and 2016 elections.
The early bird is the United Nationalist Alliance of Vice President Jejomar Binay and former President Joseph Estrada, which includes Gloria Arroyo loyalists Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay and Candaba mayor in Pampanga Jerry Pelayo.

Reports said while Estrada is okay with Arroyo’s allies, he is not keen on an alliance with Manny Villar’s Nacionalista Party.

It is understandable if one recalls that it was Villar who railroaded the impeachment complaint against Estrada in 2000 which eventually led to his ouster in January 2001 and the installation of Arroyo in as unelected president.

But then, if Estrada can embrace the loyalists of Arroyo, who put him in jail (although she eventually pardoned him) it’s intriguing why he remains antagonistic to the NP.

Anyway, reports said NP is talking with the administration party, the Liberal Party for a 2013 alliance.

This one really makes me laugh.

How are the proponents of “Villaroyo” and all the operators of the Aquino campaign who came up with those C-5 and Daang Hari extension expose now going to promote the senatorial lineup that would most probably include NP’s Alan Peter Cayetano and Cynthia Villar?

Continue readingNo such thing as strange bedfellows in politics

Mag-endorso na lang si Erap

Published by Ellen on April 28, 2012

Estrada during the 2010 campaign with running mate Jojo Binay
Mabuti naman kung hindi na nga itutuloy ni dating Pangulong Estrada ang kanyang balak na tumakbo sa pagka-mayor ng Manila.

Mas makakatulong si Estrada sa bayan kung gamitin niya ang kanyang popularity para mag-endorso at tumulong sa mga batang pulitiko na sa akala niya may kakayahan at may puso na magserbisyo sa bayan.

Sinabi sa newspaper report na balak daw niya i-endorso si Manila Vice mayor Isko Moreno para mayor . Dati kasi kinikuha niya si Moreno para magiging vice mayor niya.

Kahit daw ang kanyang mga anak, si Sen. Jinggoy Estrada at si San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito ay hindi masyadong boto sa pagtakbo ng tatay nila bilang mayor ng Manila.

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5 years of search, 5 years of hope

Published by Ellen on April 26, 2012

Edith Burgos: today's Mater Dolorosa
On April 28, 2007, past noon, Jonas Burgos was at Ever Gotesco Mall in Quezon City waiting for friends. Before his friends came three military agents, one was a woman, approached him and forcibly brought him out to a waiting vehicle. Jonas was never seen after that.

Jonas’ mother, Edita, wife of press freedom fighter Jose Burgos, Jr. (founder of Malaya) issued the following statement yesterday:

“April 28, 2012 marks the fifth year of the disappearance of my son, Jonas Burgos. Jonas’ family commemorates this day by looking back at the five years of search. We recall how we have exhausted every possible peaceful means available to us within the limitations of resources and information.

“We have encountered numerous attempts at individual and institutional cover up and confronted these with more determination to uncover the truth. The denials, the stone-walling, the labeling, all the lies and even the indifference have only encouraged us to pray some more and to look at others with the eyes of a Christian heart. Undeterred, our search must go on.

“At every turn of the uphill path of the search, something and someone would somehow turn out to be His Providence supplying what was needed for the moment. The particular grace would always be on time… just enough, and would, in spite of the pain and seeming helplessness… fuel a renewed vigor to search for the lost son, the lost brother, the lost husband, the lost father.

Continue reading5 years of search, 5 years of hope

Crab talk

Published by Ellen on April 24, 2012
Aquino whining about media. PPI chair Jake Macasaet and Press Secretary Heminio Coloma listen.

It was crab talk at the two-day 16th National Press Forum of the Philippine Press Institute at the Traders Hotel. President Aquino, who was the keynote speaker, was the one who started it when he began his talk with a childhood anecdote about Filipino crabs:

“Ayon po sa kuwento, narinig ko po sa aking ama, sa loob daw po ng isang bar, umiinom ang isang Amerikano. Pumasok ang isang mangingisdang Pilipino na may dalang timba na puno ng alimango. Ibinaba niya ito, at ang sabi po ng Amerikano: “Buddy, your crabs are about to escape.” Tiningnan lang po ng Pilipino. Ang sagot ng Pilipino, “Don’t bother and don’t fret; they’re Filipino crabs. Before they get out, they’ll be pulled back in.” Walang raw pong makakaangat, kasi lahat sila naghahatakan pababa.Habang pinipilit ng ilang kababayan nating makaahon, siya namang sipag ng ilan na hilain siyang pababa.”

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Lagman’s head for Enrile’s vote in Corona impeachment

Published by Ellen on April 22, 2012

Does not forget and forgive
Poor Gus Lagman. He didn’t know what hit him.

Never did he imagine that we would be a collateral damage in President Aquino’s rabid pursuit to make Gloria Arroyo accountable for her crimes against the Filipino people.

Collateral damage

As a commissioner in the Commission on Election, never did it cross Lagman’s mind that he would be a factor in the impeachment against Supreme Court Justice Renato Corona, which is related to Aquino’s crusade against Arroyo.

Last week, Communications Strategy Secretary Ricky Carandang announced that the President would not issue an ad-interim appointment for Lagman, who has not been confirmed by the Commission on Appointments, chaired by Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile because they have been informed by CA members that “ it will be difficult, if not impossible, to confirm him.”

Continue readingLagman’s head for Enrile’s vote in Corona impeachment

Mag rally kaya ang Pilipinong mangingisda sa Scarborough shoal

Published by Ellen on April 21, 2012

Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello leads rally in front of Chinese Embassy
Sabi ni retired Commodore Rex Robles, sa usapan daw ng mga opisyal ng Philippine Navy, may nagpanukala na total mahilig tayo mag rally, bakit hindi magrally ang mga mangingisda sa Scarborough o Panatag shoal kun saan nag-gigirian ngayon ang Pilipinas at China.

“Kung may isang daan na fishing boats ang magrally doon sa bukana ng Scarborough shoal, tingnan natin kung anong gagawin ng China. Pagbabarilin ba nila yun? “ sabi ni Robles.

Kapag ginawa ng China yun, tutuligsain sila sa buong mundo, isang bagay na hindi nila gusto.

Continue readingMag rally kaya ang Pilipinong mangingisda sa Scarborough shoal

Who will PNoy send to Beijing?

Published by Ellen on April 19, 2012

There are two positive things that resulted in the ongoing standoff in the Scarborough Shoal.
One is the decision of President Aquino recall the appointment of family friend Domingo Lee as ambassador to China and two, the raising of the conflicting territorial claims to the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea has been accelerated.

With the withdrawal of Lee’s appointment, the next question is, who will Aquino send to fill the long-vacant post in Beijing?

Three names have been mentioned.

Basilio
The first one is recently-retired Erlinda Basilio. A career foreign service officer, Basilio’s last position was foreign affairs undersecretary for policy under the Aquino administration, a position that she also held under the Arroyo administration. Briefly, while waiting for now Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario to assume the position, she served as acting foreign secretary.

Basilio’s calm demeanor masks a certain toughness that is needed in dealing with a bully like China. Basilio is a veteran in diplomatic pressures. She is not easily intimidated.

Cruz
Another name mentioned is Luis T. Cruz, who is now our ambassador to South Korea.

Also a career officer,Cruz served as consul general in the Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou, which he opened in 1997.

Cruz has the gift of “speaking his truth quietly and clearly” which is important in dealing with a pugnacious adversary.

Another name being floated is Chito Sta. Romana, former American Broadcasting Company news bureau in Beijing. He has retired from ABC and is now based in the Philippines.

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The high cost of a Corona conviction

Published by Ellen on April 19, 2012

The only techie commissioner
Malacañang says the decision not to re-appoint Gus Lagman as Comelec commissioner has nothing to do with the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona presided by Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile. They should tell that to the Marines.

Following is the open letter of Lagman:

To my friends,

Without a new appointment, I cease to be a Comelec commissioner.

It is common knowledge among senators, Malacanang officials, and some members of the Lower House, that Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Chairman of the Commission on Appointments, will reject the confirmation of my ad interim appointment as commissioner of the Commission on Elections. As such, Malacanang explained to me that they thought it best not to renew my appointment in order to save me from having to go through the ordeal of a confirmation hearing where I could be rejected. I truly appreciate their concern and, initially, I also thought that that would be best. However, after thinking about it the last few days, I am now convinced that I would much prefer to be given my day in court, i.e., go through the confirmation process despite the risk of a rejection.

Continue readingThe high cost of a Corona conviction