Zamora's Editorial Cartoons

On Rey Magno Teves

2009-11-09T13:43:00.000-08:00

It's a sad November when I learned that one of the pillars of Federal Mindanao and Philippines, for that matter, untimely passed away last Saturday, November 7, due to acute pneumonia. Rey Magno Teves was 65 years old.

I could not forget our first meeting when I was hired to work for the sustainable agriculture program of TACDRUP in 2003. It was here that I saw in the man the unwavering passion to serve his fellow Mindanaoans. RMT as we called him at the Technical Assistance Center for the Development of Rural and Urban Poor (TACDRUP), had been pushing for the concept and application of federalism not only for the war-ravaged Mindanao but the entire Philippines. That's the reason he was fondly called as "Mr. Pideral." He was a peace advocate and social development worker that has dedicated all his life for Mindanao development.

I believe that he had shared his life so much to the Mindanaoans in various ways as a consistent social activist, journalist, peace advocate and government servant. Once he served as urban poor representative to congress and to various government-based institutions.

I never called him "Sir Rey" as many of my colleagues would call him. Instead, I called him 'Nong Rey." "'Nong or Manong" which means older brother is commonly used to address older fellow. My manner of addressing him that was out of admiration for all the things he was doing for us Mindanaoans.

Rest in peace, Sir Rey!

Justice

2009-10-22T16:14:00.000-07:00

All Souls' Day is celebrated in this predominantly Roman Catholic country this coming November 1-2. During this time, many RC families would troop to the cemeteries to pay homage to their dead relatives/family members.

As in the past, the militant groups would not let the occasion to pass without their programs that would remind the government administration of the countless victims of human rights violations/abuses in the country. And justice to these victims has remained elusive to this day. As to why it has remained so, it is all because justice in this country is also dead long time ago. My opinion.

Worst Typhoon after 40 Years

2009-09-28T01:43:00.000-07:00

This is no time to point at anyone to blame for the disaster that some of our brothers in Luzon have terribly suffered when Typhoon Ondoy poured out its wrath recently. But I guess this is a time to ponder on what we had done in responding to the disaster. My heart went out to the victims – the helplessness of the victims who waited for the rescue operations to come but took too long in some areas.

Sad to note that despite our being in the typhoon belt, we were ill-prepared, ill-equipped in many aspects of our so-called disaster-response. For instance, rubber boats were not enough. In fact, I read from some news that the local government units in the affected areas also admitted that they were caught by surprise. Anyway, as I said this is no time for blaming and I am not blaming anyone. But as similar incident had already occurred about 40 years ago, we could have prepared fully. Forty years to prepare for the worst to come would be more than enough. Definitely, Ondoy’s onslaught is a reminder that we cannot take everything for granted.

I lifted the photos from this site - http://news.xinhuanet.com/

Justice

2009-09-24T03:00:00.000-07:00

One sad reality in the country today is the occurrence of so-called extra-judicial killings. Most of these killings remained unresolved to this day. My editorial cartoon tries to capture this societal ill.

When I hear reports about people being killed helplessly, I could not help but wonder. For how long will it remain as it is today making our society a very dangerous place to live. Is this the kind of society we want our children to inherit?

Extra-judicial killings have no place in a civilized society. We laws and order to follow. I am hoping that the next set of elected government officials will be able to offer solutions to this problem and that justice will be attained for those who have hungered for it for so long. I am just hoping.

iblog for Peace

2009-09-21T15:23:00.000-07:00

Peace efforts elsewhere in any conflict-troubled regions in the globe are always laudable. The Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict in Southeast Asia (GPPAC) is one of the active peace groups that continuously supports for

local-based peace campaigns such as in the case of Mindanao ravaged by decades of armed conflict. Until now, the Philippine government has yet to forge a sustainable peace agreement with the two rebel groups Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) whose continued armed struggle has negatively impacted the lives of the people in the countrysides and caused war-related expenditures on the part of the government.

You will familiarize yourself with various peace efforts and updates on these activities by visiting one of their recently-launched sites themed as iblog for peace. The blog icon is linked to their site.

Who will win come 2010?

2009-09-18T18:13:00.000-07:00

When the Cheaper Medicine Law was about to be implemented, there were controversies about some drug companies trying to stop it. I guess, Malacañang was also dragged into the issue. Finally, the law is now being implemented with the Department of Health urging all drugstores and outlets nationwide to comply.

In the local level, the DOH is active in their monitoring campaign. Although this is a welcome development, we still hope that a much better medicine law will be crafted. Remember that the saying "health is wealth" is not about raking in more profits at the expense of the poor segment of the society.

Sideline:
So far, we have Sen. Noynoy Aquino III, Sen. Manny Villar, Defense Sec. Gilbert Teodoro, MMDA Chair Bayani Fernando and Bro. Eddie Villanueva who have signified to run for president come May 2010 elections. Other presidential aspirants who have to formally announce yet their political plans include Loren Legarda, Chiz Escudero, Sen. Jamby Madrigal, former president Erap Estrada and vice-president Noli De Castro who is so silent about his next political move. Will he join the bandwagon? Nobody knows yet but I believe Kabayan can also be a good presidential bet because of clean image.

So far there has been no formal declaration on the part of Fernando who lost recently to Teodoro who was overwhelmingly favored by the party executive committee of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD Party. He only answered "secret" to media when asked about his political party following his defeat to a party-member novice.

Who will win by 2010 will be gauged by three factors: political machinery, popularity and bloc-vote support. The presidential candidate that will have these factors will come out victorious. Forget about the issues, Pinoy electorate is not so much about national concerns and issues when voting. No wonder that we have Marcos loyalists or so-called Cory Magic even when there were controversial issues that remained unresolved to this day. Forget about the hype on younger generation which I believe would not make a difference at all unless we are in a tight electoral race of two contending candidates, this will surely have an impact.

Teodoro is not popular among the electorate or the Filipino people although he is currently secretary of the Department of the National Defense. But being backed by the administration is something else. Surely, the administration has all the machinery to use or tap. Aquino is enjoying overwhelming popularity as one factor that may catapult him to power. I think this is his advantage over other aspirants. The limited political machinery of the Liberal Party can still contribute to his advantage. Just maybe.

Meanwhile, here the moneyed Manny Villar. While he has no political party yet (?), Villar can possibly cope up with the "powerhouses" of Teodoro and Aquino, with his money. He is also favored in surveys before Aquino accepted the call for him to run.

In the case of bloc-voting, Eddie Villanueva may come nearer conceptually. But I don't think he can really get all the votes of his flock. And I don't think the bloc-voting Iglesia ni Cristo will support Bro. Villanueva even though he is called a "brother." That is, for sure, a big potential minus from Bro. Villanueva's votes.

Anyway, as each candidate in the opposition has advantages over rival aspirants, their number will dissipate the anti-administration votes thereby giving Teodoro a safer advantage. Now if he gets the support of INC, Teodor will have a reserved advantage. In fact, in an opposition marked with disunity, the INC's bloc votes really matter. But everyone will only know only whom the INC will support during the nth time.

Power or Water

2009-09-17T17:23:00.000-07:00

I missed to really follow the this issue by the details. Anyway, the hydro power project of the Aboitiz Power Corporation aims to generate about 27.5-MW power. The project enjoyed the nod of the National Water Resources Board but denied the Davao City Water District for its intent to tap the Tamugan-Panigan River for Davao City. The latter is trying to resubmit their intent.

I believe that residents of Davao City will benefit from these projects - a stabler power and water supply for the city. Although I firmly believe that water is more important than power so that tender-loving care has to be afforded to a water ecosystem which ensures water supply for the people. So I worry about the impact of Hedcor project on the environmentally critical area as one of the tributaries for the water reserved of Davao City. Well, we have experts who think they know everything about the carrying capacity of the river. Let us see.

General Burden?

2009-09-13T03:32:00.000-07:00

While others maybe enraged to see this disturbing image of Philippine Air Force Brig. Gen. Marciano Ilagan carried by the boatman as flashed on tv these past days, I could not help but laugh at how this image has succeeded in tarnishing the macho image of the AFP.

I did not see this image or footage when aired. I learned it through a loop I received so recently and when I googled it, I was amazed to learn that everyone is actually talking about it posting both hilarious and hard-hitting commentaries on this issue.

As Brig. General Ilagan was captured here, some forumers claimed other officers were also carried by the boatman. Ok, that's heresy because there were no proofs like this image we have which I don't know what kind of image our officials are trying to show to the people and to the American officer who opted to wade through the seawater after stepping down from the boat.

RP's Economic Competitiveness

2009-09-10T08:21:00.000-07:00

What prompted me to draw this editorial cartoon? Actually, this was based on a news report on RP's economic competitive rating. I saw it on tv in passing but later found the data here which has shown the rating (3.99) of the Philippines as compared to other countries in Asia. While Singapore occupied the top position of 5.45 rating, Timor-Leste is at the bottom (3.20 rating).

The Proposed Text Tax

2009-09-10T05:37:00.000-07:00

The proposed 10-centavo tax on SMS is another burden congress is contemplating to impose on the people although proponents are pointing to the telcos. Naturally, telcos which cannot allow a cut on their profits will pass this to the texting consumers or the subscribers. Who else?

Malacañang is aware of the negative impact of this bill on the consumers the reason it announced that it would leave that matter to congress. Playing safe. Text tax should be carefully evaluated more especially that poor consumers are availing of this form of communication.

If it is talking about using the text tax for development projects, the congress or the government for that matter should double its efforts to put a stop to graft and corruption that has eaten up billions of government or public funds.

Don't Dawdle

2009-09-03T19:43:00.000-07:00

For countless times, I drew cartoons criticizing issue pertaining to oil price increases since I started in 1989. I found this one drawing (depicting the oil firms raking in profits at the expense of the poor consumers) I kept in one of my albums. Anyways, I understand that this is one of the conscience-less trades driven by greed. I posted this in relation to reports on another rounds of oil price increases.

Sen. Noynoy Aquino III has been off to Zamboanga City for a retreat in relation to the widespread call of the people for him to run as president. Right after the wake of his mother former Pres. Cory Aquino, calls for him to run were already growing but those were met by Senator Aquino with sheer reluctance and it remained even after Sen. Mar Roxas II during a Liberal Party meeting announced his withdrawal from the race for the nation and party unity.But Malacañang has its quick and crisp answer to this development - gimmickry. Well, that is politics and every camp needs political mileage.

But we cannot blame Senator Aquino why he seems to dawdle. The task he will be facing is daunting and gargantuan especially when the entire nation pins its hope on him. But as a voter, I cannot help but perceive this as a form of indecisiveness. Who needs a leader like this? He has to say his firm decision now or he would lose precious time to prepare everything including the need to unify the opposition as soon as possible.

Developments: Pampanga Gov. Among Ed Panlilio recently also did a Mar Roxas when he announced his withdrawal from the presidential race.

On INC's Ka Erdy

2009-09-01T22:56:00.000-07:00

Kapatid na Eraño “Ka Erdy” de Guzman Manalo (kapatid means "brother) of the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) passed away last August 31 in his home at 84. INC spokesperson Bienvenido Santiago said that Ka Erdy died of heart attack.

The INC can be considered as one of the influential churches in the country because of its doctrine on bloc-voting during elections. As a result, politicians would woo no end the support of the INC.

Ka Erdy took over the church leadership when Ka Felix Ysagun Manalo died in 1963. He steered the church further to greatness when its evangeligical missions reached to over 90 countries and territories and 4,500 congregations worldwide.

Among the "unique" teachings of the INC include the compulsory membership in the true church to be saved from eternal damnation and in its belief, contrary to other churches' belief, that Jesus Christ is not god (or the God) but son of God sent by God (the Father) for the humanity’s salvation.

INC is one of the largest indigenous churches (if not the largest) that originated from the Philippines and is continuously sending throughout the world ministers and evangelists. In the country, its church buildings are eye-catching for their architectural designs unique from other religious denominations' worship buildings. The INC celebrated its 95^th anniversary last July 27 (INC was established in 1914) which was declared as special holiday by the government. The next executive minister will likely be deputy executive minister Ka Eddieboy Villanueva Manalo who, reports said, had long been trained and prepared for the position.

The remains of Ka Erdy lie in state at the Central Temple (Quezon City) where public viewing is on-going. As reported in the media, the wake is devoid of any rituals like necrological services due mainly to INC's belief that all these pratices are not biblical. My condolences to all kapatiran of the INC.

Photo: Lifted from the site of http://newsinfo.inquirer.net

Aquino - Roxas?

2009-09-01T21:44:00.000-07:00

With the fast approaching presidential elections, the political arena in the country is slowly heating up especially with the withdrawal of Sen Mar Roxas from his presidential bid over party unity and amid calls for Senator Aquino III to run for president. This is for the unity of the party and for the good of the country, he said in effect.

It was not an easy decision knowing fully-well how he invested so much in his preparation including the questionable informercials (Questionable because they represent as forms of early campaigning although they do not violate electoral rules). Still he made a great sacrifice which to me a very laudable decision he made because it tended to show his patriotic intention. For that, Senator Roxas received but praises.

Already, Malacañang said it would complicate the situation of the opposition. But at what point, we don’t know. For us, the recent decision of the Liberal Party will surely have a positive impact on the broad opposition. From here, the broad spectrum of the opposition will need to decide whether they will fight as united opposition or go with their respective political ambitions. The latter might be a complication.

With the far-reaching political machinery of the administration plus its plan to field no other than vice-president Noli "Kabayan" de Castro, the opposition has to agree among themselves immediately who will be their best bets come May 2010. Time is running out and the people have to know now. As to whether Senator Roxas will run as vice-president, the Liberal Party is yet to decide. In an interview over a television network with Franklin M. Drilon, LP chairperson, Senator Roxas would likely run in tandem with Senator Aquino. If realized, that will be a force to reckon as far as mass appeal is concerned.

Without the much-needed unity, it will be risky for the political bid of all personalities in the opposition. But next to Senator Roxas, who will do a sacrifice for the good of the country? That’s a big question.

Photo: Yahoo News/Reuters

2009 Miss Universe

2009-08-23T17:42:00.000-07:00

The 58th Miss Universe 2009 (Atlantis Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas) will pick soon the most beautiful woman in the world...er... universe.

Based on the photos of Miss Universe Homepage, I tried my subjective judgment as to who is/are the most beautiful faces as far as I am concerned. Of course, all the beauties coming from various countries in the world vying for the most-coveted beauty pageant title are so beautiful giving me hard time, as if I am one of the honored judges, deciding on my picks. From the 83 delegates, eight contestants draw my attention or, say, whose beauty stands out and they are Cyprus, Colombia, Lebanon, Russia, Namibia, New Zealand, Venezuela and Ecuador. I added Bianca Manalo because she represents my country.

Anyway, goodluck to all the contestants and to Miss Manalo. Hope she will win this competition.

GMA's NY Dinner

2009-08-14T07:33:00.000-07:00

After the controversial expensive dining ang wining at a classy restaurant in New York during her meeting with Barack Obama, Pres. Gloria Macapagala Arroyo is accused of overspending on trips abroad by Php1.6 billion since 2003, well, according to the opposition, based on the Commission on Audit (COA) report.

On top of these issues, the Malacañang Palace is reportedly wanting to purchase a Php1.2 billion-worth presidential jet. What is that? In time for the upcoming May 2010 elections?

With all these data, she has moral ascendancy over her impoverished constituents. Extravagant spending or spending beyond what is necessary or beyond what the law dictates is scandalous. Scandalous, I repeat.

National Artist Award Controversy

2009-08-09T18:34:00.000-07:00

Pardon me for posting this unrelated graphic art from one of my commissioned annual report projects in 2006. I still have to comment on the latest controversy using my editorial cartoon. Anyways...

Malacañang is a source of disappointment when it dipped its fingers on the nomination and selection of 2009 National Artists. This latest controversy is dividing another sector - the artistic sector - as it did recently.

This came about after Carlo J. Caparas and Cecilla Guidote Alvarez were declared as 2009 national artists but are opposed by the artists in the country which have in turn launched protests for this perceived scam.

Through a separate nomination process composed of Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto Romulo, and the head of the Presidential Management Staff Hermogenes Esperon, they made it to the fame. The palace's powers-that-be included them in the list submitted by National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCAA) and Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). Other names that were included were Jose "Pitoy" Moreno and Francisco "Bobby" Manosa.

Mr. Caparas is considered as the comics king in the country. He had countless comics stories he wrote and explored film-making where he received various awards as film director. I am not so familiar of his films as they failed to stick into my mind. But I grew up with his stories as published in comics magazines as one source of our entertainment long long time ago. Ask any barrio lass, they are familiar with Mr. Caparas for his "nobelas." On the otherhand, Ms. Cecile Guidote-Alvarez is notable for founding the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) that honed creative artists and audiences through children’s, college, and community theater, according to an online reference. Perhaps, the only chance I was “involved” myself with PETA, if memory serves me right, was when I participated in critiquing PETA-produced films during the 80s. So when talking about their contribution to the development of the arts in the country, I believe that these two personalities did it significantly on their own rights.

But I respect the artist community who knows well of their kind and their members. Their opinion on the matter should hold water especially over who should be rightfully conferred with that a prestigious award as national artist. It happened that Mr. Caparas and Ms. Alvarez failed to pass to their litmus test to be awarded that way. And not this time perhaps. Also, the separate nomination process had grossly erred in dipping their fingers into matters that purely belong to the world of practicing artists.

GMA's Expensive NY Dinner

2009-08-09T16:25:00.000-07:00

When I read the news on the supposed expensive dinner of Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during her visit in America (to meet Pres. Barack Obama) as it appeared in a gossip publication, I did not right away believe in it until everybody is talking about it.

That is about the supposed “USD20,000-worth dinner splurge” she had in an expensive French restaurant in New York City, according to online news sources. While waiting for the palace to explain this, let me jump the gun by saying that the choice of her group to dine and wine in an expensive restaurant was already a bad idea which was made worst later with the expensive bill that followed. She could have settled for a cheaper yet class restaurant in there. There was a range of choices. She could have just taken for dinner some burger like what Pres. Barack Obama did in a publicized visit to a burger store. That way, she could have exemplified her simplicity and would therefore, without saying a word, remind all government officials to lead a simple lifestyle.

Whatever the explanation the palace will have on this controversy, dining and wining in an expensive restaurant is not appropriate for a leader of a country with grinding poverty issue. Madam Pres. Arroyo, check your lifestyle. (photo above is lifted from http://ph.yahoo.com)

Reviling Willie?

2009-08-08T00:35:00.000-07:00

This Youtube video has nothing to do with the trouble that popular noontime Wowowee host Willie Revillame is in after he allegedly revile Mrs. Cory Aquino whose funeral was on-going. The video was about Kiel, a Wowowee 8-year old contestant, who showed us his talent.

And the trouble? It all started with an inset of the on-going coverage of the late Mrs. Aquino's funeral being simulcast with the lively Wowowee show.

That compelled Willie, to my understanding, to ask ABS-CBN to stop from showing it, not for his disrespect on the late president as many would like us to believe, but because it was inappropriate to be shown in a timeslot where there was all but revelry and laughter while in a portion of the tv screen you see sadness taking place over the loss of a well-loved person.

Definitely, the inset did not belong to that timeslot. In fact, the ABS-CBN management could have avoided that incident by asking Mr. Revillame to momentarily forego the airing of his show in favor of the funeral coverage. Well, it happened. I hope this will be solved as soon as possible.

Former Pres. Corazon "Cory" Aquino

2009-07-31T18:07:00.000-07:00

At 3:18 this morning (Saturday), former Pres. Corazon "Cory" Aquino passed away after her bout with cancer of the colon stage 4. She succumbed to cardio-respitatory arrest, according to the official statement of her son Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III with the media.

Mrs. Aquino was confined at the Makati Medical Hospital for a month before she finally succumbed to her illness. Many sectors in the country were moved upon knowing of the state of health of Mrs Aquino whom they looked up as the "icon of democracy" in the country. Prayer sessions and masses poured out from those who love her since the Aquino Family told the media of her bout with the cancer in March 2008.

Mrs. Aquino was catapulted into power as transition president at the height of the Marcos dictatorship via the much-touted "people power" in 1986. The bloodless revolution, as many would call it, esteemed from the assassination of her husband Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, prominent political opposition, on August 21, 1983 upon his arrival at the airport from political exile. Blamed on the Marcos Regime, his death fomented social unrest forcing the Marcos regime to call for a snap election in 1986. Popular demand fell on Mrs. Aquino to run against the dictator.

Mrs. Aquino had 46 percent versus Marcos' 54 percent votes of the about 20 million voters. Heavily accused as rigged, that election further fueled continuing mass protests that scaled up to the Edsa Revolution or People Power in 1986. With the Marcoses fleeing to Hawaii, Mrs Aquino was immediately sworn in as the first woman president of a transition government (1986 - 1992) with all democratic spaces returning back to every Filipino citizen.

Today, Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a ten-day national mourning. Our condolences to the Aquino Family. RIP Mrs. Aquino.

DCWD vs. HEDCOR

2009-07-30T07:50:00.000-07:00

This is another editorial cartoon I drew on the continuing tug-of-war between the Davao City Water District (DCWD) and Hedcor that plans to put up a power project on the Panigan-Tamugan River. You will know that the area is considered as watershed area the reason that it was declared as protected area. One of the river systems in this area, Panigan-Tamugan river contributes to the city's acquifer that in turn provides the best water supply for the entire city of Davao under the management of DCWD.

Environmental groups have opposed the project of Hedcor on environmental grounds while the DCWD has its own plan to implement a project that will benefit city's users. Ironically, the National Water Regulatory Board gave a go signal to Hedcor's project. In other cartoon I drew, I presented the dissenting positions of the players: Hedcor (grabbing DCWD by the neck): Power! DCWD (gasping for breath): water, please....

Apparently, the city council sided with DCWD when it went to a "silent protest" on this concern recently. While I cannot at all say that the power project of Hedcor will endanger the acquifer of Davao City, perhaps, Hedcor should rethink. What if the project will have repercussion on the water source of Davao City even when it has the much needed economental compliance certificate (ECC)? I am saying that all things should be considered if we want to protect and preserve the most important necessity in our life - the water.

God's Calling?

2009-07-23T09:26:00.000-07:00

This editorial cartoon was my take on the statement of the militant groups that the alleged brain of the spate of bombings in Mindanao is no other than Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo herself.

They said that the bombings were carried out to create the scenario to pave the way for the declaration of Martial Law or Martial Rule and thereby she could extend her term in office as a result. I don't buy this analysis. While her government may have implemented some policies that are anti-poor, nobody believes that PGMA is capable of designing such evil handiwork for her own benefits. That's unfair. Let us stop from giving false and baseless statements...

On Fr. Ed Panlilio...

I don't buy the "revelation" of Fr. Ed Panlillo where he said that his decision to seek for the highest office in the country is God's calling. He left priesthood for the higher service and that as the president of this country. That is his opinion to backup his bid for the presidency but I know that you know that Fr. Panlilio is not saying the truth when he said that. Because saving soul from eternal perdition, like he used to know, is the highest service that anyone could do and not as a politician or president. Want a proof lest he forget one of the biblical bases? In Mark 8:36: For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?

Harping on "God's calling" line is understandable as Fr. Panlilio knows too well of the deep religiosity of the Filipino people. He thinks he can bank on that line for his political bid. Pray for him.

INC 95th Year Anniversary

2009-07-20T07:05:00.000-07:00

INC is considered one of the most progressive sects established in the Philippines in 1914. Its continues growth can be observed from its a humble beginning to over 90 countries/territories or 5,400 locales worldwide.

To recognize its supposed contribution, the government has declared the July 27 as Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) Day. But this is apart from what the church would always want to do - to celebrate this one of the most important events even without government declaration. To all INC brethren worldwide, happy 95th year anniversary!

Transport Strike

2009-07-17T08:21:00.000-07:00

Last Monday, July 13, the transport sector declared a nationwide transport strike to press for their demand concerning oil price roll-back. But unlike in the past where it would easily paralyze the transportation in key cities, the latest transport strike failed to get support from all the public utility jeep drivers. Reports claimed that only about 30 percent joined the strike. What happened? I don't know whether it indicated for the cold response of the people to the issue or strategies but drivers who were interviewed said they needed the day's income for their daily needs. Loud and clear.

Sideline.These past days, we heard of another brainless suggestion that easily earned a flak from the public - give the dreaded Abu Sayyaf group an amnesty. The group has been engaged in kidnap for ransom operations and has been tagged as perpetrators of some bombing activities in the country. It was also responsible for the killing of some of their captives. While we are thankful that the three Red Cross volunteers were released alive, I don’t think they deserve amnesty. The proposal is totally outlandish.

ASG is not a political group. It has no respect for human rights. It is but a bunch of criminals lurking in the hinterlands of Sulu. Whoever suggested that idea is totally insane and out of his mind. Maayo ra nga ang nagsugyot ipakaon sa pating (The proponent deserves to be fed to the shark).

Congress' Con-Ass

2009-07-11T00:46:00.000-07:00

I did this semi-animated editorial cartoon on the constituents assembly (Con-Ass) as proposed by Congress via their House Resolution 1109 vis-a-vis charter change. Of course, as we all know, it earned criticisms from the people specially the organized sectors which have vowed to stage series of con-ass protests and rallies.

On Recent Bombings

2009-07-07T19:32:00.000-07:00

The spate of bombings in Jolo and Iligan City last yesterday (Tuesday) and Cotabato City (last Sunday) once again has indicated the murderous frenzy of the terrorist groups lurking in Mindanao.

We hope that appropriate and consistent security measures will be in place as prime concern by the authorities and all the communities in Mindanao. Security should not be lenient as terrorism is awake and alive waiting for every chance to strike in order to wreak havoc on Mindanao's peace and order. But this is a dosage they think will serve whatever cause these terrorists are fighting for will only boomerang to them sooner or later.

The acts have no place in a civilized society more especially when they have victimized the defenseless innocent civilians.