Melo defends Mikey A’s party-list entry 03/25/2010

Says people should decide Arroyo’s fate through the ballot Melo defends Mikey A’s party-list entry 03/25/2010 Commission on Elections Chairman Jose Melo yesterday came to the defense of presidential son Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo’s entry into the next Congress through the party-list system, along with other known Arroyo allies running as party-list nominees, saying the decision is best left to the Filipino electorate, rather than the Comelec. “Let the people decide. Filipinos are smart. Let the people be the judge. They cannot go wrong when the people are the ones who judge (the party-list candidates).” Melo issued this statement after severalcamps questioned the nomination of Mikey Arroyo in the party list group Ang Galing Pinoy (AGP), along with other personalities running under the party list system, which is generally known as getting a congressional seat through the back door. Melo stressed that even if the nominee is qualified by the Comelec, it is not a guarantee that he will gain a seat in Congress because the party lister would have to be elected and secure the required two percent of the total votes cast.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100325hed1.html

HEADLINES Melo defends Mikey A’s party-list entry Villar should not have sequestered land — Laguna settlers Bets tell Aquino: Stop using poll failure to prop up bid JBC set to vote on CJ nominees Warm reception in Palawan elates Erap Andal Jr. loses amparo suit

Warm reception in Palawan elates Erap 03/25/2010

Warm reception in Palawan elates Erap

03/25/2010 PUERTO PRINCESA CITY —Former President Joseph Estrada yesterday said he was elated over the warm welcome accorded to him by the people of Palawan despite the reported endorsement of Mayor Edward Hagedorn of Bangon Pilipinas presidential bet Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” Villanueva. “Well, it’s really heart-warming. The crowd greeted us warmly,” the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) standard-bearer stressed. People lined the streets, some waving PMP posters, from the airport to the Mendoza Plaza where a short rally was held, he added. Estrada, however, said the friendship between him and Mayor Hagedorn goes beyond the realm of politics in a place where he won a landslide in 1998.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100325hed5.html

HEADLINES Melo defends Mikey A’s party-list entry Villar should not have sequestered land — Laguna settlers Bets tell Aquino: Stop using poll failure to prop up bid JBC set to vote on CJ nominees Warm reception in Palawan elates Erap Andal Jr. loses amparo suit

Plotting a power grab EDITORIAL 03/25/2010

Plotting a power grab

EDITORIAL Click to enlarge 03/25/2010 Just as predicted, Liberal Party presidential bet Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino and his yellows are planning a naked power grab, believing the trigger to be, either the failure of elections and poll fraud, or Gloria Arroyo’s appointment of the next Chief Justice on or before May 17, the date of the retirement of Supreme Court CJ Reynato Puno. Aquino has made it clear that he will be calling for another Edsa “people power” should there be a poll failure, and also made it clear that he is prepared to take to the streets to protest the high court ruling vesting Gloria with the power to appoint the next CJ. Aquino also said that he stands firm on his position in not recognizing the Gloria-appointed CJ, as he insists the high court’s ruling is wrong, and that he will have the next CJ impeached. Evidently, he and his yellows, mostly made up of the elite civil society and believers of unconstitutional coups, are gearing for a naked power grab, as they figure that with his survey numbers dropping drastically, Noynoy will lose the elections... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100325com1.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Plotting a power grab FRONTLINE The makings of a constitutional violator FEATURE ‘Monster parents’ plague Japan’s schools SILVER LINING The difference BLURBAL THRUSTS Casiño to get DILG if Villar wins? VIEWPOINTS Oplan ‘August Moon’ C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Is ABS-CBN anti-Loren?

The makings of a constitutional violator FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 03/25/2010

The makings of a constitutional violator

FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 03/25/2010 Noynoy Aquino is truly a different kettle of fish. He is running for the top political seat in the land, under the 1987 Constitution, but already he and his yellow group are more than ready to violate the Charter, which incidentally, was tailor-fit for his mother, the late Cory Aquino, which Charter she herself had grossly violated and threw out of the democratic window in 2001. Noynoy apparently believes that he is above the Constitution, and even the law, via the Supreme Court (SC) decisions and that it is his interpretation of the provisions of the Charter that is correct, and not that of the high court.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100325com2.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Plotting a power grab FRONTLINE The makings of a constitutional violator FEATURE ‘Monster parents’ plague Japan’s schools SILVER LINING The difference BLURBAL THRUSTS Casiño to get DILG if Villar wins? VIEWPOINTS Oplan ‘August Moon’ C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Is ABS-CBN anti-Loren?

‘Monster parents’ plague Japan’s schools FEATURE 03/25/2010

‘Monster parents’ plague Japan’s schools

FEATURE 03/25/2010 TOKYO — Breakfast for parents at day-care centers, laundry and nail-clipping done at school, a pick-up service by teachers — these are some of the requests from Japan’s so-called “monster parents.” The increasingly outrageous demands have driven teachers’ stress levels to record heights and led the Tokyo city government to publish a handbook on tips to cope with them. More than 60,000 teachers and other workers at Tokyo’s public schools will get a copy by the end of March in a 10-million-yen ($110,000) project.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100325com3.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Plotting a power grab FRONTLINE The makings of a constitutional violator FEATURE ‘Monster parents’ plague Japan’s schools SILVER LINING The difference BLURBAL THRUSTS Casiño to get DILG if Villar wins? VIEWPOINTS Oplan ‘August Moon’ C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Is ABS-CBN anti-Loren?

The difference SILVER LINING Dean Ernest Maceda 03/25/2010

The difference

SILVER LINING Dean Ernest Maceda 03/25/2010 A congressman has announced the start of a signature campaign among House members to impeach the nine Supreme Court (SC) justices of the De Castro majority. Without intending to, the fellow has supplied yet another reason justices of the SC are treated “special” in the context of the midnight appointments ban: unlike the justices and judges of the other appellate collegial courts and the lower courts — only SC justices are liable for impeachment. This is another one of the constitutional safeguards for judicial independence, together with the establishment of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC). Different minds. In deconstructing De Castro vs JBC, commentators latch on to different “pet” ratios to agree with or to treat as cassus belli. In the days and weeks to come, an avalanche of commentary, predominantly critical, will surely sustain the public debate on the merits of the decision. Healthy? Yes. When the best legal minds differ, the resultant fireworks that ignite serve only to refine articulated positions that benefits us all in the end. Dangerous? Of course. Given the pressure cooker atmosphere of the presidential campaign, every controversial decision is fodder for opportunism — from the administration (holdover and takeover scenarios), opposition (again Senator Noynoy and his brinkmanship declarations) and, as Gen. Danny Lim has reminded us, the military.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100325com4.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Plotting a power grab FRONTLINE The makings of a constitutional violator FEATURE ‘Monster parents’ plague Japan’s schools SILVER LINING The difference BLURBAL THRUSTS Casiño to get DILG if Villar wins? VIEWPOINTS Oplan ‘August Moon’ C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Is ABS-CBN anti-Loren?

Casiño to get DILG if Villar wins? BLURBAL THRUSTS Louie Logarta 03/25/2010

Casiño to get DILG if Villar wins?

BLURBAL THRUSTS Louie Logarta 03/25/2010 In a little over two decades, the cellular telephone, thanks to ever-changing technological trends, has been transformed from a luxury appliance that only the rich could afford (I distinctly recall in 1987 the late Channel 9 reporter Philip Tan selling one such newfangled Hitachi to Rep. Tong Payumo of Bataan for an astounding P50,000) into an urban necessity people can hardly do without nowadays going for as cheap as P2,000 for a brand-new unit..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100325com5.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Plotting a power grab FRONTLINE The makings of a constitutional violator FEATURE ‘Monster parents’ plague Japan’s schools SILVER LINING The difference BLURBAL THRUSTS Casiño to get DILG if Villar wins? VIEWPOINTS Oplan ‘August Moon’ C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Is ABS-CBN anti-Loren

Oplan ‘August Moon’ VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 03/25/2010

Oplan ‘August Moon’

VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 03/25/2010 For some time now, the so-called Oplan August Moon has been mentioned here and there — in whispers at first, but in the open these days. In substance, the surreptitious desire supported by a pursuant clandestine design appears to have something to do with someone decided in holding on to supreme power together with the latter’s subservient followers, grasping at all possible ways and eyeing 11 available means to continue the already long joyride of ruling and to remain at the lofty top of an over-expensive reign, with the good of ordinary folks as their proclaimed cause and the welfare people as their comfortable excuse. And why not? Why not if there is addiction to power?... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100325com6.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Plotting a power grab FRONTLINE The makings of a constitutional violator FEATURE ‘Monster parents’ plague Japan’s schools SILVER LINING The difference BLURBAL THRUSTS Casiño to get DILG if Villar wins? VIEWPOINTS Oplan ‘August Moon’ C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Is ABS-CBN anti-Loren?

Is ABS-CBN anti-Loren? C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Jonathan De la Cruz 03/25/2010

Is ABS-CBN anti-Loren?

C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Jonathan De la Cruz 03/25/2010 Last Sunday, I received a lot of text messages immediately after the ABS-CBN sponsored Harapan debates featuring the various vice presidential candidates. Most were elated that finally a program featuring these candidates, one of whom will just be a heartbeat away from the presidency after the May 10 elections, was undertaken. In any event, it was indeed a good opportunity for the public to take a look at the candidates and get introduced to the new polling item used — the pulse meter reader — which got instant reaction from a chosen live audience in the media group’s various stations nationwide. And there’s the rub, if we go by the messages. Most of those who texted lamented the seeming bias not only of the host, Ted Failon, and the network itself. They noted that it seemed the media giant was biased against its own earlier stars, such as Sen. Loren Legarda. I asked why and the tell tale signs flowed. Tell tale signs of bias. First, the text messagers noted that the cameras almost always caught Legarda in some uncharacteristic, seemingly problematic position .... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary20100325com7.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Plotting a power grab FRONTLINE The makings of a constitutional violator FEATURE ‘Monster parents’ plague Japan’s schools SILVER LINING The difference BLURBAL THRUSTS Casiño to get DILG if Villar wins? VIEWPOINTS Oplan ‘August Moon’ C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Is ABS-CBN anti-Loren?

GMA brains in move to oust Senate president 03/24/2010

GMA brains in move to oust Senate president

03/24/2010 To ensure the capture of the entire line of succession, President Arroyo is alegedly the brains behind the early ouster of the incumbent Senate presidency. United Opposition (UNO) vice presidential bet Jejomar Binay sees Malacañang’s hand in the proposals to install a new Senate president, saying it is part of Arroyo’s plan to capture the entire line of succession which she would then control in case of a failure of elections. “The lady is leaving nothing to chance. She is covering all the bases right now,” Binay said, accusing Arroyo of “simultaneously moving in four fronts to achieve hegemony of power.”.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20100324hed3.html

HEADLINES Noynoy vows Edsa 86 repeat Malacañang won’t act to delist two Carpios GMA brains in move to oust Senate president Bro. Mike, Mikey Arroyo vie for party-list seat Six Filipino expats die in Sabah mishap Duterte dared to double bounty on Davao NPA chief

Noynoy vows Edsa 86 repeat By Aytch S. de la Cruz 03/24/2010

Threatens to mount ‘people power’ revolt over poll failure Noynoy vows Edsa 86 repeat By Aytch S. de la Cruz 03/24/2010 Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, along with his yellow supporters, in yesterday’s sortie, appeared to be plotting to stage a repeat of Edsa ’86 with the aim of establishing a revolutionary government, no different from the revolutionary government established by Corazon Aquino, his late mother, and also using the trigger of failed elections. Aquino issued the warning of a people power revolt in Pangasinan, where he was campaigning for votes, telling reporters that he is certain the Filipino people will mount another 1986 Edsa revolt should their will be thwarted through a failure of elections. Aquino was quoted as saying that “sovereignty resides in the people. If they feel their will has been thwarted, I’m sure they will again regain sovereignty among themselves.”.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20100324hed1.html

HEADLINES Noynoy vows Edsa 86 repeat Malacañang won’t act to delist two Carpios GMA brains in move to oust Senate president Bro. Mike, Mikey Arroyo vie for party-list seat Six Filipino expats die in Sabah mishap Duterte dared to double bounty on Davao NPA chief

Chances are EDITORIAL 03/24/2010

Chances are

EDITORIAL Click to enlarge 03/24/2010 Chances are, neither Supreme Court (SC) Justice Antonio Carpio nor Conchita Carpio Morales is going to formally inform the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) that they are still interested in staying on as nominees. What they will probably do, is to merely remain silent on the issue and wait for the list of nominees, which may either include their names, or their being delisted. Or, they could also formally inform the JBC that they are not interested at all, since they still believe, despite a majority ruling of the high court, that the incumbent Malacañang tenant should not be allowed to appoint the next Chief Justice, it being their stand that a Gloria-appointed CJ is a midnight appointment. .... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20100324com1.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Chances are FRONTLINE O.M.G! ZOOMING IN Senatorial candidates who deserve victory HE SAYS Of desires and failures SHE SAYS Scare tactics focus Fish and chips celebrates 150 years as a British classic ANALYSIS Thailand’s ‘Red Shirts’ make headlines but little progress

O.M.G! FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 03/24/2010

O.M.G!

FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 03/24/2010 At least two televangelists are seeking high political office: Jesus is Lord founder and preacher Eddie Villanueva, who seeks the presidency, and surprise, surprise, El Shaddai leader and preacher Bro. Mike Velarde, who is trying to get a congressional seat through the back door, as a Buhay party-list congressman. Earlier, Velarde was toying with the idea of running for the presidency himself but has apparently lowered his political sights — at least for now. Presumably, God advised them to mix religion with politics, after all, there is already a priest turned governor of Pampanga, who is now seeking reelection. .... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20100324com2.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Chances are FRONTLINE O.M.G! ZOOMING IN Senatorial candidates who deserve victory HE SAYS Of desires and failures SHE SAYS Scare tactics focus Fish and chips celebrates 150 years as a British classic ANALYSIS Thailand’s ‘Red Shirts’ make headlines but little progress

Senatorial candidates who deserve victory ZOOMING IN Rudy Romero 03/24/2010

Senatorial candidates who deserve victory

ZOOMING IN Rudy Romero 03/24/2010 In a piece that appeared on March 3 (“Only five Senate seats up for grabs”) I suggested that seven candidates for the Senate enjoy a big edge over their rivals by virtue either of their being reelectionists or former senators or of name recall. But saying that some candidates appear well-placed to achieve victory on May 10 does not mean that there are no other senatorial candidates capable of mounting a serious challenge to the victory prospects of the candidate I named in the March 3 piece. There are. I can think of at least 11 candidates who, by virtue of their personal qualities and professional track records, have earned the right to be favorably considered by the voters when they go into the voting booths less than two months from now. The surnames of the 11, in alphabetical order, are Acosta, Baraquel, Biazon, De Venecia, Guingona, Lao, Lim, Lozada, Ocampo, Querubin and Roco.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20100324com3.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Chances are FRONTLINE O.M.G! ZOOMING IN Senatorial candidates who deserve victory HE SAYS Of desires and failures SHE SAYS Scare tactics focus Fish and chips celebrates 150 years as a British classic ANALYSIS Thailand’s ‘Red Shirts’ make headlines but little progress

Of desires and failures HE SAYS Aldrin Cardon 03/24/2010

Of desires and failures

HE SAYS Aldrin Cardon 03/24/2010 Yet, in Gloria Arroyo’s waning days in Malacañang, there continues an overflowing abundance in, and generosity of, controversies and intrigues, that they seem to be drenching our appetite for a revolution more powerful than the smell of the junta that reeks all over the Palace. No linguistic gap between Charito Planas and her intended recipients of the junta message could blur Malacañang’s intent of measuring public reaction to what could be among Gloria’s plans to extend her hold on power, but a junta is simply unacceptable to majority of Filipinos. Planas cannot compare us with our Southeast Asian neighbors. Planas’ junta soundbite cannot be simply be waved off as it is coming from a newly-appointed Palace spokesman, whose earlier assignments were limited to politically inconsequential topics such as saving water in times of El Niño.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20100324com4.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Chances are FRONTLINE O.M.G! ZOOMING IN Senatorial candidates who deserve victory HE SAYS Of desires and failures SHE SAYS Scare tactics focus Fish and chips celebrates 150 years as a British classic ANALYSIS Thailand’s ‘Red Shirts’ make headlines but little progress

Scare tactics SHE SAYS Dinah S. Ventura 03/24/2010

Scare tactics

SHE SAYS Dinah S. Ventura 03/24/2010 The upcoming elections have been giving people more jitters than hope. It’s easy to see why Filipinos would feel that way — the Arroyo administration’s decade in power has been marked by uncertainty, controversy, distrust and broken vows.  Who is to say, then, that this May 10, 2010 elections, which we are all praying will install a new president who will inspire and lead us with both strength and conscience, will truly bring us that much-needed change we have all patiently been waiting for?.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20100324com5.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Chances are FRONTLINE O.M.G! ZOOMING IN Senatorial candidates who deserve victory HE SAYS Of desires and failures SHE SAYS Scare tactics focus Fish and chips celebrates 150 years as a British classic ANALYSIS Thailand’s ‘Red Shirts’ make headlines but little progress

Fish and chips celebrates 150 years as a British classic focus 03/24/2010

Fish and chips celebrates 150 years as a British classic

focus 03/24/2010 LONDON — Whether wrapped in newspaper and eaten with greasy fingers or served on white china with silver cutlery, fish and chips has come a long way since it began 150 years ago. But the traditional British dish, celebrating a landmark anniversary this year, still boasts pride of place in British culture. The dish has survived the arrival of McDonalds and the trend for healthy and organic food, and there are now about 10,500 “chippies” across Britain serving up between 250 million and 350 million portions each year. What began as a cheap working-class meal became a national favorite and is now a culinary classic served at some of Britain’s top restaurants..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20100324com6.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Chances are FRONTLINE O.M.G! ZOOMING IN Senatorial candidates who deserve victory HE SAYS Of desires and failures SHE SAYS Scare tactics focus Fish and chips celebrates 150 years as a British classic ANALYSIS Thailand’s ‘Red Shirts’ make headlines but little progress

Thailand’s ‘Red Shirts’ make headlines but little progress ANALYSIS 03/24/2010

Thailand’s ‘Red Shirts’ make headlines but little progress

ANALYSIS 03/24/2010 BANGKOK — Thailand’s “Red Shirts” have propelled their theatrical protest movement into a second week, but observers give them little chance of achieving their ambitions of forcing snap elections. Despite headlines generated by stunts including splashing their own blood on the prime minister’s home and offices, they have gained little traction against the government they say is the tool of Thailand’s elites. But even when the supporters of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra pack up their protest camp in Bangkok and head back to their homes, mostly in the rural north, the phenomenon they have unleashed will continue to rage. .... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20100324com7.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Chances are FRONTLINE O.M.G! ZOOMING IN Senatorial candidates who deserve victory HE SAYS Of desires and failures SHE SAYS Scare tactics focus Fish and chips celebrates 150 years as a British classic ANALYSIS Thailand’s ‘Red Shirts’ make headlines but little progress