I do appreciate very much the timely intervention of the Supreme Court on this controversy. The action of the highest Court of the land gives hope and confidence to the people. I hope the Supreme Court continues to clean the courts from corrupt and inefficient justices and judges. This will be a good news to all.

Bad news. It a sad thing to know that a mother poisoned her three children and herself because  of extreme poverty. This happened to a family somewhere in Laguna as reported in the TV news. The father was devastated to learn this sad news that happened to his wife and children. Let us include them in our prayers.

Perhaps this incident in a wake up call to all our politicians. Millions of pesos of government funds are lost to graft and corruption instead of using these funds to help the poor sector of our society. More public funds should  be allocated to help the poor. For instance, government hospitals should be given more funding so that our less fortunate brothers and sisters can avail of quality treatment which they cannot afford if they go to private hospitals. In other words, our government officials should think first the welfare of the people above their  own personal interests. This is what public service is all about.

What do you think?

One Filipino commented on this reason of Manny Pacquiao. He said “ang pagtulong ay hindi nasa kongreso kundi nasa puso.”  I think he is right. Manny Pacquiao has helped a lot the Filipino people. Every time he wins in a boxing match he is helping the Filipino nation. If he retires and allow himself to involve in charitable organizations, he will definitely be helping a lot of Filipino people. But if he enters politics it would be counter productive for him and for the Filipino people. As we know, politics is divisive. Seemingly, all sectors of the society is not in favor that he enters politics in 2010. 

I hope Manny Pacquiao learns from his past defeat in politics. It is a sign that he is not really for politics. I hope Manny will change his mind before 2010. I hope he will not allow himself to be used by politicians who know that he has a lot of money to spend during the elections. Listen to the people. Otherwise, you might regret your decision later.

If Manny indeed run for congress in 2010, it shows only that he is after for power. Remember he has already the money. Money and power is a dangerous combination. History tells us that it blinded so many people that lead to their downfall. If Manny should not be aware of this, he might be one of them. Think about it.

Because of this seeming ignorance of government negotiators, the territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines was put at stake. In fact, it was observed that the government negotiators exceeded the powers given to them. Their power was primarily to negotiate and not to enter into an agreement though the MOA. Seemingly, a big mistake was done a long the way. Because of this big blunder, the government negotiators have no other option but to resign.

The aborted signing MOA likewise shows the sincerity of the MILF in the peace process in Mindanao. The MILF should have respected the TRO issued by the Supreme Court. This is part of the process in a civilized world. But what some of the MILF members did? They resorted to killings of innocent civilians, burning of houses, looting and other barbaric and criminal acts. Granting that the MOA signing materialize, perhaps, the MILF members would have done more than what they did when the MOA was not sign. The timely intervention of the Supreme Court has made the government rethinks its position in the MOA.

What now? The government should not stop to find solutions to the peace problem in Mindanao. But in its effort to seek lasting peace in Mindanao, it should not compromise the sovereignty  of the entire country.

As a Filipino, how I wish our president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will have the courage to do the same – resign as president of the Philippines. But it seems she clings to her position in spite of the facts that her administration is involved in many scandals. Among them are the famous garci sacandal, ZTE scandal and the aborted MOA with the MILF which almost compromise the sovereignty of the Republic of the Philippines.

It tells only one thing why Mrs. Arroyo is not resigning from her position in the midst of these scandals: her personal interests are above the interests of the Philippines and its people. In fact, she is pushing for Charter change for the obvious reason to extend her term as president. If she has that sense of propriety, she should resign as president long time ago. Nakakahiya na, madam president. Please have the courage to follow the example of the prime minister of Japan.

But because of the timely issuance of Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court, the signing of the MOA did not materialize. The case is now being heard by the Supreme Court. Yesterday’s news mentioned that one Supreme Justice said that the MOA violated some provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines.

I suppose you need not be a Supreme Court justice to say that the MOA violates the Constitution. If we based our opinions on the facts presented to the media, even an ordinary college student can say that the MOA is unconstitutional. I am surprise that those who are involve in this MOA are not morons that they don’t know the basic provisions of the Constitution. It is the fundamental law of the land. All other laws and agreements must conform to this basic law of the land. General Esperon, who is a former General, and those who are responsible in the drafting of this MOA are, I presumed, graduates of high caliber schools in Manila. What happened to their intelligence?

One interesting comment made by General Esperon was that this MOA will pave the way for the peace in Mindanao. I think the opposite is happening now. It created tensions in most areas affected by the MOA. General Esperon further said that the MOA is not yet final. A law needs to be enacted in order a referendum can be held in the areas affected. But the good general, perhaps, forgot to tell this to the MILF panel. What happened now is that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is doing its best to clear some areas in Cotabato occupied by the MILF. Sad to know from media reports, houses of civilians were burned by the MILF.  You can just imagine what happens when the MOA’s signing push through. 

I think our government officials should think the welfare of the entire country. They should not compromise its sovereignty. This is precisely their sworn duty: to uphold the laws of the land. If they think only of their own personal interests, then they have no business to stay in the government.

One thing president Arroyo said that I consider not factual is when she mentioned that “the Philippines has been importing rice since Spanish time.” She blamed the “topography” of the Philippines for its rice problem. But she should be informed that there was a time that the Philippines exported rice. It was during the time of former president Marcos. President Arroyo failed to mention this fact.

Another thing that she mentioned in her SONA was about the cost of text message. She announced happily that texting will cost 50 cents. No ifs. No buts. In fact, she said, “starting tomorrow, texting will cost 50 cents.”The audience and the members of parliament applauded the president. At least, this will be a big help to the Filipinos who love to text everyday. But unfortunately, it was not the case. According to the news, it is only a promo by mobile companies. In fact, it will not be automatic that the cost of texting is 50 cents. One has to apply for it and the promo ends on October. It seems the president was misinformed about this matter by her close associates without checking facts before she included it in her SONA. 

It tells only, without doubt, the SONA of president Arroyo was full of inconsistencies and did not picture the true state of the Filipino nation. Kawawa naman si Juan de la Cruz.

One convincing reason is that  the company did not learn from its past sea disasters involving its own passenger vessels. One tragedy perhaps is pardonable. But to be involved in FOUR major sea tragedies is too much to accept in a civilized world.  It is a sign that the company is not taking seriously its business which should always take into account the safety of its passengers. I think I would go with the opinion of one sanator that Sulpicio Lines should rather engaged itself in a funeral parlor business rather that in a passenger shipping business. This might be a joke but it tells the frustration of the Filipino people on the way Sulpicio lines is handling its business.

Madam President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the members of our honorable Philippine Congress,  this is a time that you look into the welfare of our Filipino people. We cannot afford to wait another sea tragedy before we take seriously our maritime laws. The track records of sea tragedies of Sulpicio Lines should be an opportunity for you to tell the maritime business community that the safely of the Filipino people is the paramount concern of the government. Cancellation of the Franchise of Sulpicio Lines now is a strong message to them.