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Migrants’ Election Manifesto

Published by Ellen on March 8, 2007

A group called “Concerned Overseas Filipinos Worldwide” is harnessing the power of Filipino overseas to effect change in the country through this coming election.

It has come out with the following manifesto:

We, the Overseas Filipinos worldwide, urge each and everyone in the coming May electoral contest to implore all political parties, emerging parties and their respective candidates to bring forth a platform-based campaign so that the electorate can choose credible persons who are worthy to lead the nation. In order to advance democratic governance in the Philippines, there should be a structure or process of reform that promotes increasingly participatory and accountable governance. In this context, the will and voice of the people should be respected at all times and the sanctity of the ballots must be safeguarded.

Continue readingMigrants’ Election Manifesto

A true Filipino

Published by Ellen on March 6, 2007

Our column last February 28 on the advocacy of detained Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon has elicited an inspiring letter from someone who declined to give his name.

Although the letter writer said that his letter is a personal message to me, I’d like to share it with you all.

I am in my seventies, with 6 children, all UP graduates. A statue of the Oblation occupies a prominent place in my office. I am writing to let you know that for me, and perhaps for many others like me, what you in media are doing, putting in print for our information the heroic acts and the idealism of these young men, in these times, is itself Heroism.

Continue readingA true Filipino

Chavit in hot water for playing Santa Claus

Published by Ellen on March 6, 2007

By Gerard Anthony Naval

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) will ask Team Unity candidate Luis “Chavit” Singson to explain why he should not be disqualified for giving away cash during a sortie in Misamis Oriental last Sunday.

“We will be sending him a letter,” said Comelec spokesman James Jimenez.

Under the Omnibus Election Code’s Section 104, candidates are prohibited from giving donations or gifts in cash or in kind.

Officer in Oakwood sets plea bargain

Published by Ellen on March 6, 2007

Following story by Ashzel Hachero:

Courtroom sidelights: click here.

An Army officer accused of participating in the 2003 Oakwood mutiny is set to withdraw his not guilty plea to the coup d’état charge and plead to a lesser offense.

Speaking through his counsel Paulo Primavera, Lt. Lawrence San Juan yesterday told Judge Oscar Pimentel of Branch 148 of the Makati regional trial court that he is ready to enter into a plea bargaining agreement and plead guilty to the crime of conspiracy to commit coup d’état.

Conspiracy to commit coup d’état is punishable with six to 12 years imprisonment while coup d’etat carries the maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Pikon sa katotohanan

Published by Ellen on March 5, 2007

Bakit kaya galit ang kampo ni Mike Arroyo sa political ad ni Alan Cayetano, kandidato para senador ng Genuine Opposition, na pinapakita ang kanyang ginawa noong hearing sa kongreso sa kasong kanyang isinampa laban kay Alan?

Hindi naman niretoke ang kanyang mukha at kanyang sinabi. Talagang makatotohanan.

Ang galing nitong ad ni Alan. Pinapakita ang video clip ni Arroyo na buong yabang na nagsabi, “It’s none of your business” (Wala kang paki-alam).

Opposition’s duty to the people

Published by Ellen on March 4, 2007

The senatorial campaign is going on its fourth week. Both sides are fine-tuning their organizations based on realities on the ground after their initial salvos.

Team GMA has brought in Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone, who is supposed to take over the media and logistics aspect of the campaign, according to campaign manager Reli German.

Team GMA probably thinks Evardone, being a former reporter, could make media sing more praises to their candidates. Although, I was thinking, what can Evardone give to media that Ike Gutierrez, media operator of former President Joseph Estrada who is now deputy to German, has not given? Probably as in -charge of “media and logistics”, Evardone will have a bigger budget.

Turning the tables on Mike Arroyo

Published by Ellen on March 4, 2007

This is a bright idea.

Update on “That’s none of your business” political ad: Mike Arroyo’s aide says they will sue. Click here.

Following article is by Volt Contreras in the Inquirer.

“That’s none of your business!’’ says a peeved First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo, cueing the start of a 30-second political TV ad.

It features a brief footage of Arroyo snapping at Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano during the House committee hearing on the First Family’s alleged hidden wealth abroad. It also shows Cayetano insisting: “No, it is the business of the Filipino people!’’

Debate ng mga kandidato para senador

Published by Ellen on March 3, 2007

Naghamon ang Malacañanang ng debate tungkol sa ekonomiya nang magpalabas ang Genuine Opposition ng isang advertisement sa mga diyaryo ng tunay na kalagayan ng ekonomiya.

“Call,” sabi ng GO. Ngunit ang pag-usapan ay hindi lang ekonomiya. Lahat na isyu.

Oo nga naman. Lahat ay magka-kabitkabit. Ang nangyayari sa pulitika ay may epekto sa ekonomiya. Ang pandaraya ni Gloria Arroyo sa eleksyon ay dahilan ng sinasabi niyang “instability” sa bansa. Kaya maraming pinapatay na mga aktibista at manunulat dahil maraming tinatago si Arroyo. Kapag walang tiwala ang mamamayan sa hustisya at batas, nakakaroon ng kaguluhan. Kapag may kaguluhan, bagsak ang ekonomiya.

Major Aquino’s quarters ransacked again

Published by Ellen on March 3, 2007

Malaya’s story by Victor Reyes. Click here. For the second time in a month, the quarters of detained Army Maj. Jason Aquino in Camp Aguinaldo…

Restrictions on Trillanes tightened

Published by Ellen on March 2, 2007

Malacañang must be sensing that the candidacy of Sonny Trillanes is taking off, despite his absence in the campaign trail and lack of resources. Now, they want him isolated from his campaign leaders and supporters:

Genuine Opposition (GO) spokesman Adel Tamano yesterday criticized government and the military for imposing more restrictions on detained Magdalo core leader Antonio Trillanes IV.

“We’re concerned na naghihigpit sila. Why? Because he’s a GO candidate and is doing good in surveys?” he said in a media briefing at the GO headquarters in Mandaluyong city. “He’s not even physically out there campaigning.”

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