Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson's arrest warrant released

Is it justice or a payback by the Arroyo administration?

The Department of Justice is calling Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson as a fugitive. The Manila Regional Trial Court ordered the arrest of Sen. Lacson after being linked and accused in the murders of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito in November 2000.

The warrant of arrest was dated Feb. 4 but Lacson already left the Philippines last January 5.

Senator Lacson admits that he really leaves the country to escape from the “harassment” of the Arroyo administration.

Many will say it is a great move by Lacson. He cannot use his legislative immunity because he is charged with a non-bailable offense that carries a penalty of more than 10 years.

Lacson stated that this is a payback aftet being critical of the administration.

The senator was responsible in exposing the alleged corruption involving President Arroyo and her husband, Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo like the "Jose Pidal" bank accounts (hidden wealth).

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Press Secretary Cerge Remonde died (cardiac arrest)

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, one of the loyal Cabinet members of President Gloria Arroyo died Tuesday morning of cardiac arrest. He was 51. (July 19, 2010)

Remonde was found unconscious and not breathing inside the bathroom. He was rushed emergency at Makati Medical Center and he was pronounced dead at 11:51 a.m.

A former radio commentator who joined Arroyo’s administration in 2001 as press undersecretary in charge of broadcast media.

He was also named head of the Government Mass Media Group (GMMG) to take care government-owned media entities, including NBN 4, RPN 9 and IBC 13.

He also served as director-general of the Presidential Management Staff and on February 1, 2009, Remonde was appointed press secretary,

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President Gloria Arroyo will run for Congress.. What !?

Hungry to stay in power and to retain immunity against potential corruption charges, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will run as representative of the second district of Pampanga in the upcoming 2010 elections.

Many are now criticizing the President Arroyo about her decision and now majority of Filipinos are speculating that changing the constitution (from Presidential to parliamentary system of government) will be their next step so that Arroyo can rule the country as Prime Minister.

She served 9 years as president and her term ends in June 30, 2010.

She claimed that she want to continue her public service but others are thinking Congressional immunity or Prime Minister scenario are the reason, whatever it is....It's an exit plan to guarantee her protection.

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NEDA chief Ralph Recto resigns on his post; preparation for 2010 election

Former Senator Ralph Recto who is currently the director general of National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) announced his resignation from his post effective Aug. 16.

His resignation coincide with his decision to seek an elective post again in 2010 Philippine national elections.

Recto's unpopularity due to the EVAT law which he authored plus his deep ties with Gloria Arroyo's administration caused him to failed his bid for re-election to the senate in 2007.

And now if he decide to run for the Senate seat again, can he regain again the voter's respect?

No doubt that the popularity-celebrity status of his wife-actress and now Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos is still high but Ralph's charm with the voting public is still in doubt and struggling.

Many will agree with me, if he choose to run as a representative in his province (Batangas), possibility of winning is high.

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text joke: Difference between fairytale and SONA

Before President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's State of the Nation Address (SONA-2009) issue faded out, I received via text message a funny joke about her SONA and fairytale.

Tagalog TEXT Joke:

Ano ang kaibahan ng fairytale sa SONA?

Ang fairytale ay kwentong hindi totoo na may duwende.

Ang SONA ay may duwendeng nagkukwento ng hindi too! :-P

Pls. pass hanggang makarating sa Duwende. :-D

-------------------

The person who created this joke really hates her.

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President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's SONA 2009 - Transcript

Like a boxer, she came out swinging and attacking her critics. Her 54-minute State of the Nation Address (SONA-2009) speech only delivers two things: Divisions and more Questions.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo expresses that she “never expressed desire" to extend herself beyond her term BUT there's no concrete statement if she will relinquish her power next year (June 2010) at the end of her term.

It seems the talks of charter change via Constituent assembly (Con-Ass) will still continue.

Here's the transcript of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's SONA-2009.

DOWNLOAD:

Rapidshare: SONA pdf

or

http://www.divshare.com/download/8013657-9c7

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SONA 2009: No classes in Metro Manila (July 27)

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) announced that tomorrow July 27, 2009 -Monday, no classes in all levels in Metro Manila.

Expecting a massive volume of protesters against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her State of the Nation Address (SONA 2009) which many hopes that this is her last.

Many Filipinos are now monitoring if the rumors of a possible Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass) will happen during SONA to extend her term of office.

The cancellation of classes will also prevent some of the students in joining the protest rally against President Arroyo!

Aside from SONA, July 27 was declared as a holiday in observance of the 95th founding anniversary of religious group Iglesia ni Cristo.

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Why President Arroyo haven't sign the EO for maximum retail price for cheap medicine?

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo really knows how to juggle her situation with the pharmaceutical companies and the much needed MRP of Cheaper Medicines Law.

The big pharmaceutical companies definitely doesn't want the maximum retail price (MRP) to be implemented but still they submitted their own product price reduction and now still pending.

Many are asking why is it that President Arroyo haven't sign the executive order that will implement the maximum retail price (MRP)?

An E.O. for maximum retail price will lower the prices (almost half) of more than 22 essential medicines that will benefit all Filipinos.

It seems the President has no intention of signing the needed executive order but if the EO is about blocking truth over corruption (like ZTE deal and Hello Garci scandal), the President automatically signed Executive Order 464 which prevents cabinet members, police and Armed forces to attend congressional hearings unless the President gives permission to those who will attend the said proceedings.

The Cheaper medicines law is expected to bring down the price of medicines in the Philippines but it seems this administration has no power to implement these especially the Presidential 2010 Election is just around the corner. (Possibly there bargaining for more funds coming from pharmaceutical companies for election campaign.)

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PGMA signed Rent Control Act of 2009

A temporary break for Filipino families who are renting their home as the new law Republic Act No. 9653 or known as Rent Control Act of 2009 was signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,.

It will impose a one-year moratorium on rent increases after that, it puts a cap on any increase to only seven percent until 2013.

All residential units in Metro Manila with a monthly rent not exceeding P10,000 and all units in urban cities with a monthly rent not exceeding P5,000 are covered in this new law.

Violators will be facing P25,000 to P50,000 fine, or imprisonment of one month and a day up to six months.

By the way, the owner cannot demand more than one-month advance rent and more than two-months deposit.

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"Oplan August Moon" - another alleged plan to extend President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's term

Is the recent consecutive bombings incident near government offices connected to the alleged plan dubbed as "Oplan August Moon" or just a plain criminal incident? Is Total Information Management Corp. (TIM) withdrawing from partnership with Smartmatic for the poll automation, sign of no election in 2010?

The pet allies of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo are still very aggressive in pursuing Charter Change via constituent assembly. Thirst for power and corruption.

And now it seems there's another plan if Con-Ass failed. A buzzing rumored report that "Oplan August Moon," is in place. "Oplan August Moon" which is described as a "Self Coup" is a plot aims to install members of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1978 and other PMAers in key positions as part of a scheme to keep the President in power beyond 2010.

By the way, President Arroyo is a “honorary member” of PMA's bacch 78.

The military should not be partisan. Engaging with this kind of activities will just demoralized its institution.

The integrity of this administration is deteriorating. Our democracy is in peril.

We must join together in protecting our democracy. We must be aware and vigilant to stop these hungry politician.

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If President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo wins a congressional seat.....

The buzz is becoming louder and louder and it seems the probability of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in seeking a congressional seat via her Pampanga province after her 2010 term is high.

After former Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Secretary Nasser Pangandaman and some Gloria cronies gave hints that their boss will run as district representative of Pampanga. Now the Presidential son Juan Miguel "Mikey" Macapagal Arroyo who is currently a Congressman in second district of Pampanga expresses that he may run for the Gubernatorial post in the 2010 elections even though he can still seek a third term to give way to her mother.

Reminds you, there is no prohibition against a former president running for a lower position. The Constitution only bars the President from running for a second term.

Two very possible scenarios may happened if Gloria Macapagal Arroyo won the congressional post.

If HR 1109 will be approved by the Supreme court that will make Congress to convene into a constituent assembly to amend the Constitution. Arroyo will now have a chance to be a prime minister and prolong her stay in power.

If HR 1109 will be deny, a congressional seat will help Gloria Arroyo to buy her immunity from all suits like corruptions and abuse of power.

The alleged controversial deals that she and her family had been linked to. Arroyo is expecting to face a flood of lawsuits when her term ends.

Hmmm....So desperate to stay in power.

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House Resolution 1109 is unconstitutional

Many Filipino are now furious on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's Congressional pets who manipulated and rushed the House Resolution 1109 Tuesday night which aimed to convene the Congress as a Constituent Assembly (Con-ass) to change the Constitution.

By approving this resolution, it also kicks the Senate's role to study or to amend the Constitution. This is definitely illegal and a drastic indecent move to challenge the constitution and the Supreme court.

The pro-ChaCha legislator cannot fully explained what provisions they want to amend. It only proves that the agenda is definitely to extend the President's term and her cronies which will expire in 2010.

It also shows that the winning capability of the administration candidate in different positions in the upcoming 2010 election are in jeopardy.

With this political arrogance, expect more political rallies in the coming days against the Arroyo administration.

By the way, rumored report that each Congressman will receives additional pork barrel funds of up to P20 million.

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Impeachment complaint against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez

She used to play hide and seek to media people and critics. She is being slam by many people due incompetence in handling the anomalies and graft cases of higher officials especially controversies that are linked to the first family.

I'm talking about Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, who is always under fire every time a controversy are being linked to the Arroyo administration and the first family especially First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.

Gutierrez primary duty being the Ombudsman head is to study and investigate the complaints towards government officials and many more... But the sad things is, she kept mum and blind towards the scandals that being linked to the administration and it's allies.

With her failure to investigate the fertilizer scam, old graft cases and the corruption report of the World Bank, 31 civil society has joined together to file an impeachment complaint against her.

The complaint will center on her incompetence, culpable vio­­lations of the Constitution at betrayal of public trust.

Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez has failed to uphold her mandate and failed to fulfill her constitutional duty. We don't need a puppet doll in that agency. I hope she has the delicadeza to step down.

Congressmen with pending cases at the Office of the Ombudsman must inhibit his/her self in joining the initial proceedings of the impeachment.

Still impeachment is a numbers game, even though there's a massive evidence of violations and you don't have the numbers in Congress that will approved the complaint surely nothing will happen.

I hope that this impeachment will push through and hopefully in the future we will have a true "Protector of the People" not a "Protector of the Few".

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World Bank's corruption report on the Arroyo's administration and the consequence

The long list of controversy and corruption link to President Gloria Macapagal, her family and allies never ends. The funny but serious thing is, their shameful act goes global.

After NBN-ZTE corruption deal and other local scandal....Here comes the World Bank's report of allegation of corruption to the Arroyo administration.

Again, first gentleman Mike Arroyo is involved in this new controversy. He is being named protector of colluding contractors in a $33-million road project. To the rescue on Mike's defense are their allies and administration legislators who are now calling the World Bank's report as inconclusive and a false report.

The World Bank had uncovered a major monopoly involving local and international firms bidding on a Philippine road project. WB blacklisted three local construction firm and four from China from bidding on its projects due to alleged corruption.

Have you notice, the President is still mum with this controversy and only her pet congressmen are the one barking...

The image of the Philippines is being shadow by corruption, lies and bad governance. With this latest corruption allegations, I'm sure that foreign aid donors are now thinking if they will pursue their business/project here in the Philippines. This will be a big blow on the country’s development efforts in the future.

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Who do you think will be the stabilizing force in Philippine election 2010?

With the Philippine Presidential election is fast approaching. Who do you think will be the stabilizing force that will unite the country.

2010 presidential aspirants are busy preparing their bid since after the 2008 election, using public funds and pulling some strings to achieve their ambition. Looking at it, oppositions will be divided again on choosing a single candidate for the highest office in the country.

Is the greed of power of the Arroyo family and their allies will end in 2010 or it will just continue if Arroyo's anointed one will seat to power?

Here's the name of the candidates and the small points that we must study.

Vice President Noli de Castro, ally of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Blind Quiet on all controversies linking the first family in corruptions and other scandals. Many are saying that he will just a continuation of the Arroyo administration.

Senator Manuel Villar, who is now under fire with the “double entry” controversy on government projects. Releasing to many TV ad campaigns since 2008 until now (telling/bragging to the public in his ad that he is using his own money in helping others) mmmm.....

Senator Loren Legarda, doubting her winning capabilities and security platforms. She can be one of the survey winners but many are doubting if her popularity will convert to votes.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, known as the corruption fighter but many consider him as a opposition divider. He is still being hunt with some old cases when he is the PNP chief (like Dacer-corbito case and Kuratong Baleleng case).

Senator Mar Roxas, being dubbed as Mr. Palengke (Mr. Market), he knows his stuff about economy but still many consider him as an elite.

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, who has the guts to implement actions and policies but he has the image of a dictator. Rumored bet of former President Fidel V. Ramos.

Senator Chiz Escudero, a first time Senator. Many will say that he is too young and early to be President.

Mayor Jejomar Binay, he may be popular in Makati (or the rest of Metro Manila) but winning capability in Visayas and Mindanao are down.

There are some who chose to kept quiet to escape early politicking. The above names are not yet complete but one of these names will be the future President and Vice President of the Philippines.

All of them promise a better tomorrow, maybe yes for some but who do you think deserves your vote? Is your vote points to who is the lesser evil or there's really a leader who wants change and honest governance?

We must voice out for an honest and clean election in 2010.

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Regretful EDSA 2 and continues Corruption

Do you think the so-called EDSA 2 which they say a government reform that kicked former President Joseph Estrada out of office to stop corruption helps us or they just put us in deep hell in Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo administration?

Almost all Filipinos are frustrated on the massive corruption of this current administration. Their tight grip to power that causes her allies and families to disregard the voice of majority of many Filipinos and pursue the Charter Change agenda (extending the term of office), the administration's bad governance, non-transparency on projects, oligarchs monopoly and many more...

This rampant problem are hindering economic growth in eradicating poverty.

Even those who participated in that oust Estrada movement are now having a great regret that the successor is much worst and being linked to many controversies.

We must voice out our opinion and join together to promote good governance and stand up against corruption.

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Philippines' list of Holidays for 2009

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Proclamation 1699, setting and fixing the dates of holidays for 2009.

Checkout the list of declared regular and national holidays for 2009. This proclamation was released last December 24, 2008.

And the looks of it there's many upcoming long vacation this year.

Below are the list:

A. Regular Holidays
Maundy Thursday	April 9
Good Friday	April 10
Araw ng Kagitingan	April 6 (Monday), Monday nearest April 9
Labor Day	May 1 (Friday)
Independence Day	June 12 (Friday)
National Heroes Day	August 31 (Monday), Last Monday of August
Bonifacio Day	November 30 (Monday)
Christmas Day	December 25 (Friday)
Rizal Day	December 30 (Wednesday)
B. Special (Non-Working) Days
Ninoy Aquino Day	August (Friday)
All Saints Day	November 1 (Sunday)
Additional special (non-working) day	November 2 (Monday)
Additional special (non-working) day	December 24 (Thursday)
Last Day of the Year	December 31 (Thursday)

The proclamation declaring a national holiday for the observance of Eid’l Fitr shall hereafter be issued after the approximate date of the Islamic holiday calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or convenient. The Office on Muslim Affairs shall inform the Office of the President on which day the holiday shall fall.

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Filipinos must Unite against Term Extension

Once more, Filipinos must unite. Amending the Constitution is not bad and it's highly needed but extending the term of the allies of Malacañang especially President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo are simply foolishness.

Greediness is the main reason why administration allies want their boss to stay in power. The fresh move to push the Charter Change will just make a mockery in our democracy.

The Congress is busy finding away to help the President stay in power beyond her term. Two separate resolutions in the lower house, both proposing Charter change, have been gaining majority greedy support from the Congressmen.

The President has the lowest popularity rating since she took office, the credibility of her saying that she will not go beyond 2010 is just a hoax. The corruption will just continue on and on if she still seat to power.

Is our country still important to our our fellow Filipinos, It seems the lies of the Arroyo administration is much stronger that the patriotism to our country.

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Dasal ng kasakiman ng mga kaalyado

Dasal...Dasal...Dasal, na nagamit sa mga pansariling ambisyon. Hanggang ngayon pinaguusapan pa rin ang kontrobersyal at mapanuksong dasal ni Press Secretary Jesus Dureza. Lumabas sa sariling bibig ang katotohanan at ang interes ng mga namumuno.

Ito'y isang panalangin ng kahilingan KASAKIMAN sa kapangyarihan para sa kanyang among pinaglilingkuran at pang sarili. Ang sabi ni Sec. Dureza ito'y isang biro. Kung ito'y isang biro, wala siyang galang sa panalangin sa Panginoon Maykapal at sa madaling salita pinaglalaruan niya ang pagkasagrado ng isang dasal.

Marami nang nagsasabi na ang pangyayari na ito ay isang palabas lamang (scripted) para matimbang nila kung papalag ang taong bayan sa ideya na mas mahabang panunungkulan ni President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo na lalagpas sa 2010.

May balitang na may gumagalaw na naman sa mababang kapulungan sa pagsulong ng “The ChaCha express".

Mabuti nalang kahit pabor ang bagong upong Presidente ng Senado na si Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile sa Cha-cha, ang karamihan sa mga Senador ay tutol pa rin sa "Charter Change" lalo na kung papalawakin ang termino ng Pangulo Arroyo.

Ang pagnanais ng No election at Charter Change ay tanda ng pagbabaliwala at tahasang pambabastos sa demokratikong sistema.

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Malice in Secretary Jesus Dureza's prayer

Many are now thinking if there's a malice on Press Secretary Jesus Dureza's prayer. With this controversial wish to the lord almighty, many are now slammin' President Gloria Arroyo and her allies for giving a hint of another Charter Change. Extending her seat to power through amendments to the Constitution.

Is their another GO! signal for Charter Change? As we all know newly installed Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile is in favor for a constitutional change and with the retirement of the seven Supreme Court Justices next year, many are now worried that President Arroyo will made sure that next seven SC Justices will be her allies.

The public want an ensure transparency and integrity in the selection of future members of the Judiciary.

The Dureza prayer is telling only one thing, the main purpose of charter change is for his boss to stay in power and doesn't care about the laws that highly in need to be revise to benefit the public.

By the way, Here's the highlight of Dureza's prayer : “Bless the President so we will have forbearance, good health, and tolerance to lead this nation up to 2010 and perhaps, who knows, even beyond.”

Mrs. Arroyo, with her head down and covered her face with her hands, “Oh my God.” She asked TV crews and photographers that the “prayer was off the record.”

Watch video clip below...

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