Third Wave

For several times, we rejected the proposal to amend our constitution out of fears of ‘hidden motives’ that are already widely discussed. Whether the ‘fears’ had basis or not, those were not important. The past proposals were all archived for ‘good’.

During the Ramos administration (in 1997), we witnessed the first attempt to amend the 1987 Philippine Constitution. The proposed amendments became very popular as Charter Change or “Cha-Cha.” Criticism stormed the proposal. It never prospered, of course.

Ousted president, Joseph Estrada had also his own version of Cha-Cha called Constitutional Correction for Development (CONCORD). Again, it never got much support. Unlike the previous proposal, CONCORD was more attractive because of the keyword, “economy”.

In 2005, then Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. led several congressmen in pursuing a move to amend the Constitution through the Constituent Assembly. Once again, criticism rained the proposal. On December 2006, de Venecia declared, “Con-ass [constituent assembly] initiative is now dead.” [1]

In April 2008, 11 Senators (It increases to 16.) backed Joint Resolution No. 10 - a new tune of old Cha-Cha. The lower house expressed support as long as the change is after 2010. The keyword “Federalism” excites many.

Now, Cha-Cha is no longer danced - it become talk of the town. Is this the right time to Cha-Cha?

Continue reading ‘Is it time to Cha-Cha?’

With savory “promises” that it will “spur economic growth”, eleven senators filed Joint Resolution No. 10 “proposing the shift from a presidential to a parliamentary-federal system of government”.

The resolution proposed the creation of 11 federal states and one federal administrative region. Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel, Jr. (PDP-Laban), the principal author of Joint Resolution No. 10, said, the move to federalize the country is not simply a ‘political’ undertaking. It is also an economic effort. By creating 11 federal states and by converting Metro Manila as a federal administrative region, we immediately establish 12 centers of power, finance and development throughout the country. [1]

The proposal is meant to accomplish two main goals, according to Sen. Pimentel:

1. Cause the speedy development of the entire country by unleashing the forces of competitiveness among the component federal states, and
2. Dissipate the causes of rebellion in the country, particularly in Mindanao.

The plan to shift to parliamentary-federal system of government becomes an instant talk of the town. Many expressed excitement over the matter while few have some reservations.

This change is vital for our Republic, the April 26 editorial of The Manila Times noted. [2] While Senators Panfilo Lacson and Loren Legarda have expressed reservations on the matter, The Daily Tribune reported. [3]

Continue reading ‘Shift to Federalism’

I get more than enough dosage of absurdity done by some senators in the 13th and 14th Congress. It seems to me that many senators are working hard not to legislate for the general welfare of the people. [It seems] They use legislative power for personal and political motives. Forgive me honorable senators but please do not blame me for thinking like this.

Look how some “brave” senators treated “witnesses” during the gruesome, theatrical, and often misdirected Senate investigation. Many times I suspected that the Senate investigations are not intended to aid important legislations but to aid political ambitions. Again, my apologies to good senators but again, do not blame me for thinking like this.

Almost everything popular will be investigated by the senate. This makes TV news more funny and very entertaining. It is both entertaining and irritating to see senators ranting infront of the camera. One writer proposed that some senators need “some training” so that they don’t appear like insecure and spoiled brat in highly respected branch of government.

Continue reading ‘What happen to some Philippine Senators?’

The case of “Jan-Jan”, and his doctors and nurses in Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) has gained overwhelming publicity. Almost everybody reacts. People are talking about it. Opinion writers are writing about it. Major broadcast networks are reporting about it. Filipino bloggers are blogging about it.

The case of “Jan-Jan” was rare. The operation to take out a perfume canister that had been inserted into Jan-Jan’s rectum was performed for the first time in VSMMC. Naturally, the medical professionals who were present during the operation were curious. But can curiosity turn to mockery? Rebelmind wrote:

Medical practitioners and trainees, more so lead doctors, need a strong sense of emotional control when faced with a situation like that one that occurred at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in January.

The operation was successful. Like the VSMMC administration, we must commend the surgical team for the successful operation.

But here is the mess. (I don’t like to use the word “scandal”) A video clip uploaded to YouTube and circulated through mobile phones showed the surgical team apparently making fun of Jan-Jan during the operation. The video showed the persons present in the Operating Room (OR) laughing, shouting, giggling; and some holding their mobile phones taking video.

Continue reading ‘VSMMC Mess’

I can’t get over my disappointment with President Arroyo’s pardon to convicted former President Joseph Estrada. I insist, Estrada must serve his sentence in jail. I insist that the years spent by Estrada in Veterans Memorial Medical Center and in his rest house in Tanay were not sufficient penalty for the crime he committed.

Another disappointing move is running in Philippine political arena. Now, military officials and top government officials are calling for a pardon for nine convicted 2003 Oakwood coup plotters (Magdalo mutineers) who were sentenced to 12 to 40 years for their crime. The call for pardon surfaced even before the court decision. How sad.

I stand on my strong opposition to this pardon as I strongly oppose GMA’s pardon to Erap.

Continue reading ‘No Pardon, Please’

It was absurd. The so called “Walk for Truth” of Senators Allan Peter Cayetano and Benigno Aquino III, Rodolfo Lozada, Jr., and their supporters was ridiculously unreasonable.

Needless to say, the Senate has the right to file motion for reconsideration to Supreme Court’s March 25 ruling that the three questions that Romulo Neri refused to answer were covered by executive privilege. But did Senators Allan Peter Cayetano and Benigno Aquino III and friends needed to dramatize it?

Cayetano was quoted in Inquirer.Net report saying, we participated in this activity because we want to inform the public that the NBN-ZTE controversy is a big issue that should be dealt with thoroughly.

I want to inform the good senator that the public has known already that the NBN-ZTE controversy is a big issue. And the public deal with it thoroughly.

The most ridiculous, irresponsible, and unreasonable statement came from Senator Noynoy Aquino. In a QTV report, I heard him saying:

Continue reading ‘Walk for Truth’

Everyone in Cebu knows what Tres de Abril is. Tres de Abril is a street in Cebu City. The first time I heard Tres de Abril (in 2000), I asked why the street is called a such. A Cebuano officemate told me about the battle that took place on April 3, 1898. He also narrated to me about Leon Kilat.

I was mesmerized as if I had the anting-anting (amulet) of Leon Kilat. It was also the first time I heard about him. Leon Kilat is also a name of a street in Cebu City in honor of Pantaleon Villegas “Leon Kilat” on his great contribution to Cebu history.

It was then that I learn to value not only Colon Street but also other notable streets in Cebu as well such as C. Padilla, T. Padilla, Gen. Maxilom, A. Abellana, among others.

Tres de Abril

Tres de Abril or April 3 is an important date in Cebu. Every year, Cebuanos celebrate it as the date when major resistance movement was staged against Spanish rule.

Continue reading ‘Leon Kilat and Tres de Abril’

If my wish is granted, I would like to stand before the topnotcher of the 2007 Philippine Bar Examination. I would ask Mercedita Ona, do you feel any pressure right now?

Her answer may be interesting, what do you think? Ona is not the first Filipina to top the bar. Being on top is not easy as being in the middle. The first woman to top the bar, Tecla San Andres-Ziga might had felt the pressure.

I visited attyralph.com, the official website of Atty. Ralph A. Sarmiento and read some amazing feats in the Philippine bar examinations. Here are some:

• First woman to top the Bar (1st Place): Tecla San Andres-Ziga of the University of the Philippines placed No. 1 in the Bar Exams of 1930 with a grade of 89.4.
• Highest grade of all time: 96.7 in the 1954 Bar Exams by Florenz Regalado of San Beda College.
• Bar flunker who placed 1st on his second take: Francisco Noel R. Fernandez (University of the Philippines) failed in the 1993 Bar Exams but placed No. 1 in the 1994 Bar Exams with a grade of 89.2.

Continue reading ‘Amazing Feat: Philippine Bar Exams Trivia’

We can moderate greed. Can’t we moderate sex? It seems difficult. As many as those who can’t moderate sexual cravings are the commercial sex workers (CSW) who offer services preferred by customers. Many of them don’t mind the value of safe sex.

This may not be a national trend but the Mandaue City Health Office noted the rise of sexually transmitted infection (STI) cases. From 553 cases counseled and treated by Mandaue City Health Office in 2006, it ballooned to 867 cases in 2007. This is attributed to a number of unregistered or freelance commercial sex workers who practice their trade without or with little knowledge of safe sex. [Source: Sun Star Cebu]

Continue reading ‘Moderating Sex’

Members of a group called “Erap for 2010 President Movement” headed by certain Vince Avena reportedly pooled their money to print “ERAP 2010″ stickers. The stickers are for nationwide distribution aimed to convince the Filipino people to support Erap’s presidential bid in the 2010 elections.

In Philippine Star report, Vince Avena said, “[t]o bring him (Estrada) back is to correct the wrong that we have suffered at the hands of anti-poor people. I am just an ordinary citizen who wants to help the Filipino people” The same report quoted Avena saying, “[a] true leader must have a true love for the masses, love for the people. We produced quite a number of ERAP 2010 stickers to campaign for his return to power. The ERAP for 2010 president movement is initiated by a group of friends who believe that Erap is the man we need to lift our country from poverty.”

Continue reading ‘Erap in 2010: Aspire but cannot run’

I always prefer Jun Lozada to remain as credible witness than becoming a famous star. I think he has some pieces of valuable information that help us know the “truth” behind the controversial aborted NBN-ZTE deal. But these “pieces of information” spoiled the crying witness.

Teary-eyed, he revealed the “truth” he supposedly knew. Since then, he keeps his mouth open and sustains his big grin whenever people hailed him as “hero” - a messiah to some.

Continue reading ‘Lozada and Navarro: Too Harsh’

Filipinos waste 14.4 million Pesos worth of rice a day.

This is based on the average of 16 grams or one-fourth cup of rice wasted by each person per day. This accounts for about 1,200 metric tons of wasted rice per day conservatively valued at 14.4 million Pesos per day, according to Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department and Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST).

Such astonishing figure makes me feel guilty.

Continue reading ‘Re-evaluating Lifestyle’

Rice is the most important staple crop in the Philippines, providing food for more than 80 million people. Rice has been part of Filipino diet and life that I cannot imagine the Philippines without it.

With the looming rice crisis due to tightening supplies and soaring prices, we have reasons to be alarmed. A United Nations aid official already warned that more Filipinos will go hungry as rice prices soar.

Continue reading ‘The Necessity of Rice’

For a journalist, it is always risky to write news out of unverified information. Except for sensational reporter, a responsible journalist adheres the basic principles of journalism - truthfulness, accuracy, objectivity, impartiality, fairness, and public accountability.

Half-baked stories are sure hit - increase readership, ratings; more revenue. But there are risks.

Continue reading ‘Responsible Press’

Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada, Jr., in his provincial tour revealed that there are plans to assassinate him. In GMA TV-7 report, Lozada was quoted saying that that some prisoners had been tapped to kill him.

PNP chief Dir. Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. immediately directed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to handle the investigation on Lozada’s alleged death threats, GMA News reported.

Continue reading ‘Lozada’s Assassination Plot’