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Our thanks

Published by Ellen on March 31, 2010

Former Foreign Secretary Roberto Romulo
Former Foreign Secretary Roberto Romulo
by Roberto R. Romulo

Filipino World View
The Philippine Star

The nation owes a debt of gratitude to three individuals: Delia Albert, Domingo L. Siazon Jr. and Antonio “Tony Boy” Cojuangco. Both Ambassadors Albert and Siazon were career foreign service officers who became Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Ms. Albert (a replacement has been announced) and Jun Siazon (co-terminus with President Arroyo) are ambassadors to Germany and Japan, respectively. They have been outstanding ambassadors. Whoever replaces them will have a hard act to follow.

On the other hand, Tony Boy has been chairman of the Museum of the Filipino People since the time of President Fidel V. Ramos. As chairman for the last 12 years, he has been exemplary in the management of the museum and sustained in his financial support. His leadership will be sorely missed by everyone who, as I do, value this important institution.

Continue readingOur thanks

Liberal Party presses alarm bells

Published by Ellen on March 31, 2010

It’s very much delayed, but it’s better late than never.

The Liberal party has joined expressions of concern on the automated elections, which have been aired by the Concerned Citizens Movement since last year when it questioned the legality of the Comelec-Smartmatic nationwide automation contract.

VERA Files’ Tessa Jamandre reports on the event. Click here (VERA Files):

Aquino’s remarks:

Continue readingLiberal Party presses alarm bells

Holding Arroyo responsible for the Ampatuans

Published by Ellen on March 30, 2010

The dismissal by a Quezon City judge of the rebellion case against Maguindanao governor Datu Andal Ampatuan Sr, his son, ARMM governor Zaldy Ampatuan and 22 others should strengthen the case filed by relatives of journalists who were among those killed in the November 23 massacre before the ASEAN Intergovernmental Human Rights Commission (AICHR).

Nov 23 massacre
Nov 23 massacre
The journalists’ relatives are holding the Arroyo government responsible for the Nov. 23 carnage. In their suit filed last February, the relatives said “Clearly, all of those responsible for the carnage are agents of the Philippine State. Their acts in connection with the 23 November 2009 Maguindanao massacre are attributable under international law to the Republic of the Philippines.”

This week, three of the petitioners, Glen Salaysay, son of Cotabato City journalist Napoleon Salaysay, Noemi Parcon, wife of Koronadal City journalist Joel Parcon, and Feulen Sumagang, cousin of UNTV reporter Julito Evardo, were in Jakarta, where the AICHR is based, to follow up on their suit accompanied by their lawyer, Harry Roque of the CenterLaw Philippines.

They were most disgusted to find out that the Arroyo government has taken the stand that the Maguindanao massacre that has shocked the world and earned for the Philippines the distinction of being the most dangerous place for members of media is “a domestic legal issue” and international human rights bodies have no business meddling in.

Continue readingHolding Arroyo responsible for the Ampatuans

Magnanakaw sa hatinggabi

Published by Ellen on March 29, 2010

Tamang-tama talaga ang pagka-describe kay Gloria ng isang Malacañang in-house writer nang pumunta siya sa Boao, China noong 2004 para sa pirmahan ng ma-anomalyang kontrata ng NBN/ZTE: “Like a thief in the night”. Magnanakaw na nag-ooperasyun sa gabi.

Ngayon hatinggabi ang operasyun.

Lumalabas ngayon ang maraming “midnight” appointment na ginawa ni Gloria Arroyo. “Midnight appointment” ang tawag sa mga tinatalaga ng isang paalis na na presidente.

Continue readingMagnanakaw sa hatinggabi

Questions on Yuchengco’s nomination as ambassador to Germany

Published by Ellen on March 28, 2010

rcbc_alfonso_yuchengcoDoes the controversial appointment of businessman Alfonso Yuchengco as ambassador to Germany have to do with the expose’ of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano in 2006, when he was still a member of the House of Representatives , about a secret bank account of the Arroyos in HypoVereins Bank ?

Or does it have to do with Fraport AG, a German company that partnered with Philippine International Air Terminals Co. Inc. (Piatco) in building the $350 million Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport? It must be recalled that the Supreme Court under Gloria Arroyo nullified the Piatco-Fraport contract because of anomalies.

These are just some of the questions that came up as we tried to find rhyme and reason for Arroyo’s appointment of 87-year old Yuchengco to Germany with only three months left in her administration.

From a very reliable source:
Heard that the German ambassador has recommended that German government deny the request for agrément on the basis of age if such a request is ever sent.

Foreign Service officers were shocked and disgusted to learn about the letter of Gloria Arroyo to the Commission on Appointments coursed through the Office of Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo asking for the confirmation of her nomination to Yuchengco as ambassador.

The letter, which was received by the office of Romulo, only last week, was dated March 9, 2010, two days before the 60-day ban on presidential appointments before Election Day. Many suspect that the nomination was ante-dated.

Continue readingQuestions on Yuchengco’s nomination as ambassador to Germany

Ang nakakulong sumipot, wala ang malaya

Published by Ellen on March 27, 2010

Kung sino pa ang nakakulong , yung pa ang sumipot. Ang malaya na nasa kapangyarihan ay hindi sumipot.

Ito ang nangyari sa pirmahan ng Peace Covenant para sa mapayapang eleksyon sa Sipalay, Negros Occidental noong Miyerkoles na inurganisa ng “Project HOPE (Honest, Orderly, Peaceful, Election)” na itinataguyod ng mga lider ng simbahan, Katoliko at Aglipayan at sa komunidad kasama ang Philippine National Police at ang military. Ginawa ito sa Sipalay gymnasium.

covenant signing32410 (43) covenant signing32410 (2) praying gary speaking

Si dating Marine Capt. Gary Alejano, miyembro ng grupong Magdalo, ay tumatakbong mayor (Independent) ng Sipalay laban kay Acting Mayor Oscar Montilla ng United Negros Alliance na naka-alyansa sa National People’s Coalition.

Si Alejano ay nakakulong ngayon sa ISAFP (Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines) sa Camp Aguinaldo habang hinaharap niya ang kaso konektado sa tinatawag na “Oakwood mutiny” noong Hulyo 2003 at Manila Peninsula siege noong Nobyembre 2008. Sa dalawang insidente nayun, nanindigan sila laban sa kurakutan at pambabastos ni Gloria Arroyo ng batas.

Continue readingAng nakakulong sumipot, wala ang malaya

2009 Bar Exams: 1,451 Pass; Passing Percentage Lowered

Published by Ellen on March 26, 2010

By Jay B. Rempillo & Annie Rose A. Laborte
Supreme Court Online

A total of 1,451 out of the 5,903 examinees from 108 law schools nationwide passed the 2009 Bar examinations.

Do you have friends who took the bar exam and you want to know if they passed?

Click to these Supreme Court links: here or here

The top 10:
1.Reinier Paul R. Yebra ( San Beda College) – 84.80 percent.
2. Charlene Mae C. Tapic (San Beda College) – 84.60 percent.
3. John Paul T. Lim (Ateneo de Manila University) – 84.50 percent
4. Caroline P. Lagos (University of the Philippines) – 84.40 percent
5. Eric David C. Tan (Ateneo de Manila University) – 84.05 percent
6. Yves-Randolph P. Gonzalez (Ateneo de Manila University) – 83.90 percent
7. Joan Mae S. To (Ateneo de Manila University) – 83.65 percent
8. Herminio C. Bagro III (University of the Philippines) – 83.40 percent
9. Timothy Joseph N. Lumauig (Ateneo de Manila University) – 83.20 percent
10. Naealla Rose M. Bainto (Ateneo de Manila University) – 83.10 percent
Sheila Abigail O. Go (Ateneo de Manila University) – 83.10 percent.

So it’s two from San Beda, two from UP and seven from Ateneo in the top ten.

Continue reading2009 Bar Exams: 1,451 Pass; Passing Percentage Lowered