Category Archives: Columns

MANILA, Philippines — A distant cousin of mine, “Kadyo” (nickname for Arcadio), was a taxi driver in Metro Manila. He zigzagged in and out of lanes, passed red lights, choked already clogged intersections ignoring the crossing vehicles, and drove in the opposite lane blocking the in-coming traffic. But wonder of wonders, he has not been fined or haled to court for any traffic violation. Continue reading →

MANILA, Philippines–THE NATIONAL Union Of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) is celebrating its 50th anniversary by holding its 36th National Student Congress in Cebu City on Dec. 14-18. As a founder and past president of NUSP, I keynoted the conference by recalling the vision and values that guided the union’s founding. Continue reading →

MANILA, Philippines — Last Nov. 28, the Sandiganbayan junked the claim of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) over 20 percent of San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and upheld the ownership thereof of Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr. On Nov. 29, the Sandiganbayan affirmed the government’s ownership of 72.2 percent of the United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB). Justice Diosdado M. Peralta penned both rulings. Continue reading →

MANILA, Philippines — The forceful takeover of the Manila Peninsula Hotel by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and their supporters ended in six hours after lawmen crashed an armored personnel carrier into the front entrance and lobbed tear gas into the foyer. General Lim said the rebels wanted to “remove Ms Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from the presidency and form a new government.” Continue reading →

MANILA, Philippines — Former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo L. Neri snubbed the Senate hearing held last week on the controversial $329-million national broadband network (NBN) project. In lieu of his personal appearance, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita sent a letter to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, justifying Neri’s absence on a nebulous claim of executive privilege. Continue reading →

MANILA, Philippines — Solicitor General Agnes Devanadera was reported by media to have said that the “government may revoke its grant of pardon to former President Joseph Estrada if he makes good his threat to resist ‘till death’ the forfeiture of his assets worth P545 million,” on the ground that “the forfeiture was a condition for his pardon.” Continue reading →

MANILA, Philippines — My column last Sunday batting for a qualified Senate concurrence to the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (Jpepa) drew several telephone calls, e-mail and texts from government leaders (like Foreign Secretary Alberto G. Romulo), diplomats (like Ambassador to the World Trade Organization Manuel Teehankee, Ambassador to Japan Domingo Siazon Jr., retired Ambassadors Cesar Bautista and Nelson Laviña), jurists (like retired Justices Florentino P. Feliciano and Jose C. Vitug), and private citizens (like lawyer Jose S. Songco). Continue reading →

MANILA, Philippines — These coming days, the Senate will continue its hearings on the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (Jpepa). During previous hearings, many senators expressed their frustration, saying that the Jpepa stands little chance of ratification, because of many constitutional and legal flaws raised by law scholars led by retired Justice Florentino P. Feliciano. Continue reading →

MANILA, Philippines—Last Wednesday, October 24, the world celebrated the birthday of the United Nations. The Supreme Court commemorated the occasion by giving birth to the new “Rule on the Writ of Amparo” that was specially crafted, in the words of the Court, “to manifest a strong affirmation of our commitment towards the internationalization of human rights.” Continue reading →

MANILA, Philippines — February next year will be a watershed not only in the reformation of our electoral system but also in the battle for transparency and accountability; in short, in good governance. Come Feb. 2, 2008, the chairs of the Commission on Elections, the Commission on Audit, and the Civil Service Commission will be due for replacements. Just as important, the chief of staff (COS) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines will retire on Feb. 9, 2008. Continue reading →