Category: Malaya

Gutter talk in the Senate is good

Published by Ellen on January 24, 2013

JPE. Thanks to Yahoo for this photo by Voltaire DomingoNPPA Images

Of course, what has been going on in the Senate the past weeks is disgusting.

But it is good that it is happening.

Alan Peter Cayetano standing up to Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile

If the controversy over the discriminatory distribution of Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile of the Senate Christmas loot – P1.6 million for the 18 senators and P250,000 for the four whom JPE does not like namely Senators Miriam Santiago, Antonio Trillanes IV, Pia Cayetano and Alan Cayetano- the public would not have known how they are skewered by the people they are spending billions on supposedly to serve them.

If Enrile didn’t become petty and arrogant and gave all the 22 senators, even including himself, the same amount, we would not have known that they are wallowing in excess funds while millions of Filipinos survive in a hand-to-mouth existence.

The fall of Lance Armstrong: It’s not just about doping

Published by Ellen on January 20, 2013

It’s the lying. It’s the disappointment that the character that I once admired so much turned out to be dark and stained.

I’m always in awe of people who triumph over adversities.

I was an ardent admirer of Lance Armstrong.

I read and re-read his book, “It’s not about the Bike- My Journey Back to Life” which has been described as an “awe-inspiring tale of immense courage and will.”

Are these lascivious?

Published by Ellen on January 17, 2013

That’s the question lawyer Harry Roque posed to the Supreme Court justices to underscore the dangers of the Cybercrime Law. He referred to the three photos posted here:

Do’s and don’t’s on election period

Published by Ellen on January 13, 2013

checkpoint — From: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXzgYt46120&feature=youtube_gdata

Election period started Sunday night, Jan. 13 in connection with the May 13, 2013 synchronized national and local elections.

It’s a 120- day period that will end on June 12.

Election being an important exercise in a democracy, the government wants to make sure that the environment is conducive to the people being able to choose their leaders freely and peacefully. Thus, there are do’s and don’ts in the Omnibus Election Code (Batas Pambansa 881) that law enforcers are implementing.

Scary cop

Published by Ellen on January 10, 2013

Hansel Marantan — Marantan: bloodied hands. Thanks to Philippine Star for photo.

Police officers are supposed to protect life and property.

Their being armed is supposed to protect citizens from lawless elements. It goes without saying that they should have a high value for life and respect for human rights.

That’s why we hope and pray that Police Supt. Hansel Marantan is an exception in the police force.

Consider his notorious record:

On Nov. 7, 2005, operatives of the national police Traffic Management Group killed Francis Xavier Manzano, Anton Cu-Unjieng and Brian Anthony Dulay while inside a maroon Nissan Exalta at the Ortigas Business District in Pasig City.

Police said they were suspected members of the Valle Verde car theft gang and that they were under surveillance for sometime before that fateful day when they were stopped at a checkpoint. Police said the three opened fire at them.

Their claim would have passed if not for UNTV crew who happened to be there and took video of what turned out to be cold-blooded murder.

Urgent call for gun control

Published by Ellen on January 8, 2013

As always, we need to be violently jolted to do what is needed to be done. Whether the three recent incidents are harrowing enough for our authorities and lawmakers to move remain to be seen.

Atimonan shootout — Bodies strewn after the gunbattle.

Last Sunday, 13 people died in a gun battle in Atimonan, Quezon. The reports get uglier as the root of the shootout or rubout is being uncovered. Three of those killed were members of the Philippine National Police and another three had identification cards of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Reports said the killings have something to do with jueteng.

Reports said authorities recovered from the vehicles 11 .45 ca. pistols, a 9 mm pistol, an M14 rifle and an M16 carbine.

Last Friday, a defeated candidate for barangay captain, Ronald Bae, went on a rampage with his .45 cal. Gun in Kawit, Cavite killing eight people including a pregnant woman, two children and a taho vendor who just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Amended petition vs Cybercrime law underscores unconstitutionality of libel

Published by Ellen on January 4, 2013

Anti-Cybercrime law rally at Supreme Court Oct 2012. Photo by Mario Ignacio of VERA Files.

Last week, we amended our petition against the Cybercrimes Prevention Act of 2012 (R.A 10175) to have it declared wholly as unconstitutional.

Please click here for:

Amended Petition

“We” refers to our group VERA Files and fellow petitioners namely Davao-based radio broadcaster radio broadcaster Alexander Adonis, lawyers/bloggers Harry Roque, Romel Bagares, and Gilbert Andres, legal officer of Media Defense Southeast Asia.

Our earlier petition filed last Sept 28 asked the Court to declare only the provision of the Cybercrimes Prevention Law on libel as being unconstitutional. In our amended petition, we asked the Supreme Court to expressly declare Art. 355 of the Revised Penal Code providing for the crime of libel also to be unconstitutional.

As explained by our lawyers, Harry Roque and Romel Bagares of The Center for International Law and the Southeast Asia Media Defense, “We’ve had to clarify that pursuant to the View of the UN Human Rights Committee in Adonis vs. Republic of the Philippines, libel under the Revised Penal Code is contrary to freedom of expression. In its annual report this year on the Philippines, the UN Human Rights Committee also decried that instead of complying with this view and repeal Art 355 of the RPC, the Philippines even expanded the coverage of libel through the Cybercrime Prevention Act.”

Meet an honest person

Published by Ellen on December 30, 2012

Update: Jason texted me yesterday that All Around Services and Merchandising renewed his job contract. He was so thankful and happy.

I finally met the guy who found my cell phone and turned it over the Customer Service of Southmall. He is truly admirable.

Jason Miranda, 25, a janitor employed with All Around Services and Merchandising Corporation, services provider to companies, is assigned at Southmall in Las Pinas.

He said he found my cell phone on the floor near Counter 20 in the Supermarket. It must have fallen off my bag when I stooped to pick up the grocery paper bag that I dropped. I thought I was a victim of a pickpocket much more so because I returned to Counter 20 when I discovered that my phone was gone and the cashier said no phone was left there.

This happened about 3 pm of Dec. 19.

Jason said he immediately turned over my cellphone to the Customer Service of Southmall Supermarket. A lady called me up Friday morning, Dec. 21, to inform me that they have my cell phone. She said they looked at my phone directory and found my residential landline. She also said someone attempted to claim the phone but couldn’t give the number when they asked him. It just shows that as there are good people like Jason, there are also bad elements quick to seize opportunities to profit from the misfortune of others.

What to do when you lose a cellphone

Published by Ellen on December 20, 2012

pickpocket at work — Pickpocket at work. Thanks to On the Road website.

I lost my cellphone to a pickpocket at Southmall, Las Pinas the other day.

I was queuing at the Supermarket cashier with a few items for crema de frutta that I was going to make for friends. While waiting for my turn, I brought out my cellphone to check on some messages.

From the grocery, I went to the National Book Store to buy some books for my grandnieces and nephew. To make sure that they have not yet read the books that I was going to buy, I thought of calling their Mom. That’s when I found out that my cellphone was gone.

I’m really puzzled how the thief could have found an opportunity to pick my bag because I was wearing a body bag. But looking back, there was a brief moment when I had difficulty closing my bag because of zipper problems and I dropped my bag of groceries. Someone helped me with them and I even thanked him.

Will Aquino use his political clout for the FOI bill?

Published by Ellen on December 19, 2012

Right to know2 — Thanks to Interaksyun for this photo.

With a commanding popularity, hardly dented by controversies and bungling, President Aquino’s push makes a lot of difference in passing the most difficult legislations.

We have seen it in the last few weeks.

His certification of the Reproductive Health bill as urgent last week facilitated the passage of the measure which was vigorously opposed by the intimidating Catholic Church.

A few weeks ago, Congress also passed the Sin Tax Reform bill which cigarette and alcoholic drinks companies, with huge lobby money, were blocking.