Credits to http://www.philstar.com/

Gaza Strip -

More than 600 have already died while around 3,000 have been wounded by the raging aerial and ground attacks in war-torn Gaza. But after two failed attempts, the International Committee of the Red Cross have now evacuated 250 foreigners that included 17 Filipinos. Still, a number of Filipinos are left in the Hamas-controlled area as Israeli authorities didn’t allow their Palestinian husbands to leave Gaza.

War is such a bitter scenario it should be avoided altogether. As more violence is fueled by greed, innocent lives are wasted. And in this day and age where world leaders are supposedly more politically mature, nations are expected to settle disagreements through diplomatic discussions. Thus, it puzzles me why Israel does not relent despite monolithic opposition from the international community. And what is the agenda of the United States in its continued support of Israel’s vicious actions?

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Credits to http://www.malaya.com.ph/

Manila, Philippines -

The Bolante/fertilizer scam investigation have taken a backseat as the “Alabang boys” (or Alabang adults as others would politically put it) drug issue has grabbed the limelight. It is the most celebrated news at the moment as it involves three men from affluent families namely Richard Brodett, Richard Tecson, and Jorge Joseph who were allegedly caught in a buy-bust operation by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

The case became very controversial as several issues emerged during the course of the investigation. First is the alleged bribery attempt to PDEA agents and/or state prosecutors. Second is the parents’ wrath against the alleged physical abuse inflicted on their son/s. Third is the excessive enthusiasm of defense counsel Felisberto Verano to draft the release order to be signed by Justice Seceretary even using official DOJ letterhead and coursing it through the office of Ateneo law classmate and fraternity brother Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor. Fourth is the seeming friction between government agencies PDEA and DOJ. These are just some of the reasons that make this issue very interesting.

The Lower House is already conducting its probe of the issue. With the 2010 elections just around the corner, much of our beloved congressmen would definitely want a share of the media mileage. Thus, expect to gain a myriad of information from various groups involved but don’t be too optimistic that heads will roll anytime soon. As they say, it’s simply in aid of grandstanding err legislation and not of prosecution.

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I adore the Yuletide season. Weather is cool, people are jolly and generous, and of course we all (well, almost everyone) get to relax and enjoy the holiday break. Regrettably, I take time to recover from long breaks so I’m still in tone down-mode both in programming and in blogging. Hehe…
My three-week vacation was significant and well-spent. I had time to relax and bond with my families and friends and got involved as well in meaningful activities.

December 12, 2008 -
Attended the Inter-Faith Rally in Makati. We wanted to have a clearer understanding of the prevailing Cha-cha moves and what various political personalities have to say about it. I remember listening to about a minute or two each to Senator Legarda, Senator Roxas, Senator Escudero, Joey de Venecia, Brother Eddie Villanueva, Jun Lozada, among others. If GMA’s allies in Congress will not stop at pushing for Charter Change, then we too should not tire from letting them know our opposition to it, even if it meant going to the streets again.

December 13, 2008 -
For school pride and love of U.P., I joined the U.P. Centennial celebration by posing Oble-style in Hail! U.P. Oblation. Here are a few pics from the historic event.

Credits to http://www.inquirer.net/

Credits to http://www.mb.com.ph/

Credits to http://aleligaddiroselo.multiply.com

December 14, 2008 -
Joined my wife’s circle of college friends for a Christmas Party with the kids of Tahanan ng Pagmamahal in Barangay Oranbo, Pasig. If you are interested to help these children, here are some information grabbed from their multiply site.

Name: Tahanan ng Pagmamahal Children’s Home
E-Mail Address: com”>wephone_dwayne@hotmailcom
Instant Messenger ID: ”>leux2006
Address: 146, Saint Francis St., Bgy. Oranbo, Pasig City 1605
Mobile Phone: 09275010605

TAHANAN is a duly registered non-stock, non-profit NGO at the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Trustees serve without any salaries nor any form of allowance.

TAHANAN was organized last May 2007 and was initially located in Bgy. Dolores, Taytay. The orphans later moved to Bgy. Malinao, Pasig and again moved to its present location in No. 146, Saint Francis St., Bgy. Oranbo, Pasig.

As of today, February 28, 2008 TAHANAN is caring for twelve (12) orphans and employing three housemothers (yayas) and a social worker. A former nun turned lay social worker visits the children 2 or 3 times a week

December 17, 2008 -
My wife and I enjoyed the UP Centennial Lantern Parade 2008. We marvelled at these amazing works of art especially those from other UP units. Of course, the most celebrated was carnival-themed lanterns of the College of Fine Arts. Apart from the lanterns, the representatives of each college/organization are also crowd-drawers. Take the case of the College of Mass Communications , U.P. Pep Squad and U.P. Babaylan.

December 19, 2008 -
Company Christmas party at Gerry’s Grill Silver City.

December 20, 2008 -
My Best Man’s Wedding. It’s they’re turn this time. The second in our highschool circle to tie the knot. Congrats chong!

December 23 – 25, 2008 -
Spent Christmas with my family at Novaliches. Food trip and gift-giving overload.

December 25, 2008 -
Christmas Party in Pampanga with my in-laws.

December 29, 2008 -
Nature-tripping and photo op at La Mesa Ecopark. Calm and relaxing, we’ll surely be back on January to explore the rest of the park. We’d probably try swimming, fishing, boating, biking, and visit the Ecomuseum and Butterfly Trail and Hatchery next time.

December 30, 2008 – January 1, 2009 -
Spent New Year with my in-laws at Mandaluyong. Food, games, and loads of Magic Sing on New Year’s Eve.

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Manila, Philippines -

Please find time to join the rally tomorrow to express our objection to charter change under the current administration. Got below details of the event from tonyocruz.com.

Dear Friends and Concerned Citizens,

Greetings of peace in these turbulent and uncertain times!

Recent moves in the House of Representatives by no less than Speaker Prospero Nograles and other administration allies to railroad their discredited bid to change the Philippine Charter (Chacha) by convening Congress into a Constituent Assembly (Con‐Ass) has raised the alarm among many concerned sectors of our society.

Like in previous failed attempts at Chacha, a vast majority and still growing number of our people, are convinced that their real purpose is to extend the stay of Mrs. Arroyo in power well beyond 2010.

We thus call on you to be one with our people in declaring, “Enough! Stop Gloria’s Chacha now!”

Join us in an inter‐faith, multisectoral prayer and protest rally on Friday, 12 December 2008, 4:00 pm.

Let us congregate at the Ninoy Aquino Monument, Ayala corner Paseo de Roxas, Makati City.

We also enjoin our kababayan in other cities and provinces to express their rejection of Chacha in various forms of protest nationwide.

Let us take a united stand once more so that truth, justice and the will of the people may prevail!

MOST REV. DEOGRACIAS S. INIGUEZ, JR., D.D.
Diocese of Caloocan

BISHOP ELIEZER M. PASCUA
General Secretary, UCCP

BR. ARMIN LUISTRO, FSC
Lasallian Justice & Peace Commission

MO. MARY JOHN MANANZAN, OSB

FR. JOE DIZON
Solidarity Philippines

 

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Credits to http://www.manilatimes.net/

Manila, Philippines -

Fast hands, quick wits, that’s Manny. Admitting that his glory in boxing will not last forever, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao acknowledged the value of education and plans to finish college. It’s a welcome news to Education Secretary Jesli Lapus as it will strengthen DepEd’s Alternative Learning System. The program which aims to encourage out of school children and adults to go back to school will gain more attention having Manny as a spokesman.

Kudos Manny! May you continue inspiring the Filipino nation both inside and outside the ring.

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Credits to http://www.philstar.com/

Las Vegas, Nevada —

Manny ‘Pacman” Pacquiao made Filipinos proud once more by defeating Oscar ‘Golden Boy’ De la Hoya in their fight yesterday dubbed the Dream Match. The MGM Grand Arena was filled with 15, 000 eager boxing fans including celebrities and sports icons such as Thomas Hearns, Mike Tyson, Ricky Hatton, Shane Mosley, Antonio Margarito, Bernard Hopkins, Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson, Eva Longoria, Jennifer Lopez, Mark Walhberg and Russell Crowe to see the non-title but much-awaited fight of the year. 

Though perceived by many as the underdog due to the tremendous advantage of De la Hoya in height, reach, and also experience, Pacquiao made De la Hoya look sluggish by beating him to the punch and connecting with regular jabs, left straight punches, and combinations to the head and the body. It was an amazing showcase of Pacquiao’s skills with speed being his greatest tool. He made De la Hoya realize that “you can’t hurt what you can’t hit“. After two rounds, the outcome was clear, Pacquiao is the better fighter and the only question left is until which round will De la Hoya last. By the end of round 8, De la Hoya had given up and conceded the victory to Pacquiao.

To Manny, one of the greatest Filipino boxers of all-time, thank you for the honor you continue to bring our country. Congratulations Pacman, mabuhay ka, mabuhay ang Pilipino!

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Credits to http://www.philstar.com/

Manila, Philippines -

Latest news have it that some solons may be on the move to oust Speaker Prospero Nograles from the House leadership. The idea was supposedly floated by some administration congressman who are unsatisfied with his pace at pushing for charter change through a constituent assembly.

It was further put forth since Nograles recently admitted that he is also open to constitutional convention or any mode for that matter so long as reforms on economic provisions may be instituted hastily. The proponents adamantly want (1) charter change (2) through constitutional assembly (3) now. That’s Philippine politics in the raw.

It seems our beloved congressmen are threading a most dangerous path. Filipinos are sick and tired of cha-cha moves, cha-cha talks, and probably any stuff related to cha-cha before the 2010 elections. The present administration may have the numbers in the Lower House, the Senate, or the Supreme Court but severely lacks the trust and support of the people.

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Credits to http://www.comelec.gov.ph/

Manila, Philippines -

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has resumed the continuing registration of voters for the 2010 elections. Registration is open for all areas outside the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Schedule of registration is from December 2, 2008 to December 15, 2009 at the Office of the Election Officer (OEO) of the district/city/municipality where the applicant resides from Monday to Friday, during regular office hours at 8:00 o’clock AM to 5:00 o’clock PM. Applicants must personally appear and bring any valid ID such as Employee’s identification card (ID) with the signature of the employer or authorized representative, Postal ID, Student’s ID or library card, signed by the school authority, Senior Citizen’s ID, Driver’s license, NBI/PNP clearance, Passport, SSS/GSIS ID, Integrated Bar of the Philippine (IBP) ID, or License issued by the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC).

Everyone eligible to vote is encouraged to register so as to exercise his/her right of suffrage in the 2010 polls. Meanwhile, registered voters with no biometrics record with the COMELEC yet need not register again and only needs to be processed for the data capturing machines. During the said period, deactivated voters may also apply for reactivation.

For more details, you may check out the COMECLEC website and blog.

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Credits to http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/

Pasig, Philippines -

An unlikely scene caught media attention at the parking lot of the Department of Education (DepEd) compound in Pasig City last Monday. Hundreds of “Science and Health” and chemistry textbooks destoyed by termites were scattered on the ground. This despite the request of DepEd for funds for additional textbooks to reach their goal of 1:1 student-textbook ratio in public elementary and high schools.

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus was the most surprised and immediately ordered an investigation to find out who is accountable for the said materials.

This is a disturbing event which, if happens again, will surely undermine the credibility of the department. It is a waste of taxpayers’ money and is absolutely unacceptable. These educational materials should be used to feed the students’ mind and not the termites. Education officials, above all, should be role models and should inspire people in valuing education and all things attached to its cultivation.

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Manila, Philippines -

An article in Malaya today centered on the renewed call of Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim for the ouster of President Arroyo. Gen. Lim together with Oakwood mutiny leader Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, both currently detained in Camp Crame, led The Manila Peninsula siege last year in an attempt to persuade other military officers to withdraw support from the President.

Their views are shared by a number of civil society groups and church leaders. Likewise, Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez and Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias have called on the perople to join the rally on Sunday at the Balintawak monument.

Unfortunately, their cause lack major support from high-ranking military officers who could definitely influence their men to move to action. It’s the very least surprising as GMA seems to have their best interest in mind. Just take a look at the number of police and military officers in the cabinet and civil service organizations. It’s very rewarding for them to be still in power after they retire from service. We have Arturo Lomibao, Hermogenes Esperson, Jr., Eduardo Ermita, Angelo Reyes, Leandro Mendoza, Hermogenes Ebdane, Narciso Abaya, Roy Cimatu, Benjamin Defensor, Roberto Lastimoso, Angel Atutubo, Reynaldo Berroya, and Edgar Aglipay to name a few of police and military officers who have served under GMA’s administration.

As an old Bulatlat article puts it:

There is no doubt that the civilian bureaucracy has become an enclave of military and police officials as a payback for supporting the president and as a means of shielding them from prosecution and accountability over their past misdeeds. Their being embedded in the center of civilian authority only shows the overshadowing presence of military power with the civilian rulers playing second fiddle or just a façade.

And I could not agree more.

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