Update: Axe 15 excess aides, Ermita asks Gloria
From ABS-CBN online:
Malacañang: “Sweeping generalization a disservice to government employees”
Forty percent of 3,000 government officials, including Cabinet officials, are unqualified to hold their positions, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) bared Tuesday.
My New Year’s wish: May peace and justice prevail in our land. If the Lord adds happiness, that’s a bonus.
As we celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ on earth thousands of years ago, may we find the true meaning of that occasion. Have a…
Palace says media is to blame for survey results
by Regina Bengco
Almost one of two Filipinos believe that President is the “most corrupt (president) in the history of the Philippines,” a survey conducted from Oct. 20 to 31 by Pulse Asia showed.
The survey was done at the height of reports of cash payoffs to congressmen and local officials in Malacañang, the renewed calls for Arroyo’s resignation and the planned revival of impeachment moves against her, the Glorietta explosion, the continuing investigations on the broadband deal, the rift between Arroyo and Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., the grant of pardon to former President Joseph Estrada, the holding of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, and the rising prices of oil products.
by Enteng Romano
Convenor, Black and White Movement
As soon as the Manila Pen siege was over, there was a flurry of pronouncements from just about every political group as well as personalities from both sides of the political divide. Invariably, the statements depicted Trillanes and Lim as misguided, military adventurists, rebels, criminals, or arrogant fools for repeating the same mistakes in Oakwood and in 2006. At best, some would say they sympathized with Trillanes’ and Lim’s cause, but did not agree with their methods.
But why did they have to wait until the standoff was over before they spoke their minds? Simple. They weren’t really sure about how the incident would turn out and they didn’t want to be caught with their feet in their mouths just in case Trillanes et al prevailed.
The Philippines has been ranked 10th among 60 countries where bribery is most prevalent this year, a Global Corruption Barometer survey showed.
Over 63,000 people in 60 countries worldwide were surveyed about their experiences of bribery over the past year.
In the Philippines, 32 percent of respondents admitted that they had paid bribes.
Sana mapanood ng aking mga kababayan doon sa Antique ang nangyari kay Marilou Ranario at hindi na sila makukumahog papuntahin ang mga anak nilang babae sa Middle East para pumasok na domestic helper.
Si Marilou ay 33-taong gulang Pinay na nakakulong sa Kuwait dahil sa pagpatay ng kanyang amo. Nagawa ni marilou ang krimen dahil siya ay minamaltrato, hindi binabayaran ng kanyang suweldo at gusto pang ibenta siya ibang lalaki.
Si Marilou ay titser na taga Surigao del Norte at may dalawang anak. Katulad ng marami sa ating mga kababayan, kahirapan ang tumulak sa kanya mamasukan sa Kuwai noong 2003.
I had been away for five days. I went for a much-needed vacation in our remote place in Antique where there is no internet connection.…
* * * To the batch 1977 of Nueva Ecija High School: There will be a grand alumni homecoming on Dec. 29, 2007 at 1:00…
Update from ABS-CBN
From Inquirer Online:
A bomb exploded at the House of Representatives in Quezon City Tuesday evening, killing Basilan Representative Wahab Akbar and the driver of another lawmaker.
Two other solons and five more persons were also wounded in the explosion, just minutes after the House adjourned its session a little past 8 p.m.
Aside from Akbar, the explosion also killed Marcial Tando, driver of Gabriela Representative Luz Ilagan.