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No safe place for Filipinos (even in the Philippines)

But even here in the Philippines, Filipinos are not safe. Look at what happened to Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan, UP students who remain missing after they were abducted, together with a farmer, Manuel Merino, in Bulacan by unidentified men believed to be soldiers last June 26.

Karen will turn 23 on July 22 and Sherlyn is pregnant.

sherlyn cadapan2.jpgkaren empeño.jpg

Asher and Erlinda Cadapan and Concepcion Empeño, parents of Shirley and Karen, have asked the Supreme Court to compel the military to release their daughters.

The University Council of the University of the Philippines at Diliman, the academic body composed of faculty members, passed a resolution last July 12 expressing concern over the government’s inaction on the disappearance of the two.

The University Council’s statement:

“It is now 10 days since President Emerlinda R. Roman wrote a letter to Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno and to Department of National Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz Jr. requesting assistance in locating the two students. In the letter, President Roman described the circumstances attending the abduction of the two students: ‘According to raw reports reaching my office, six or more masked armed men forcibly took them at about 2 in the morning of Monday, June 26, 2006, in Purok 6, Barangay San Miguel, Hagonoy, Bulacan. The masked armed men were using long guns and apparently did not show any court order for their physical detention. We were also informed that Karen was asked to remove her shirt. They used this shirt to blindfold her. Sherlyn is pregnant. The women were then forced into a vehicle that proceeded in the direction of Iba, Hagonoy.

“We would like to emphasize that whatever the motives and circumstances behind it and whether it is carried out by private persons or by persons connected with government, abduction is always illegal and punishable by law, aside from being a violation of the victim’s human rights.

“We are greatly concerned that they may be victims of the wave of extra-judicial executions and forced disappearances associated with elements of the security and defense establishments. Indeed, we fear for their lives.

“We would therefore wish to strongly support and reiterate President Roman’s request to Secretary Puno and other government authorities that they immediately furnish us with information of the whereabouts of Ms. Empeño and Ms. Cadapan, provide them with medical and legal assistance, and release them to the care of the University as soon as possible. We consider the continuing silence of the authorities in this matter of life and death to be inexcusable and a betrayal of the public trust.

“In conclusion, we would like to repeat President Roman’s words to Secretaries Puno and Cruz: ‘We know that you share with us a commitment to the spirit of the UN General Assembly’s ‘Declaration on the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance’ (Resolution 47/133 of December 18, 1992). We also know that the acts done by masked armed men are criminally punishable under our laws. Most of all, as parents committed to teaching the virtues of valuing human dignity, we are certain that you could address the matter with empathy.”

Published inMalaya

236 Comments

  1. jorgie jorgie

    Indeed, the Philippines has become one of the unsafest places to live in the world. Yesterday, another radio man in Mindanao was killed. It has become a daily event. And those were the only ones reported. What about the many unreported killings? There’s one common denominator in all of these killings: Most victims belong to the leftist organizations or suspected to be leftists. This is quite similar to pre-Martial Law era. It’s even worse today. Everyone knows one of the midget’s operators is Gen. Palparan. He reminds me of the late Col. Abadilla, one of the most feared Marcos executors. He headed the MISG.

    Question is why is this government eliminating these anti-government forces? The government seems to be targeting Bayan group. If Cong. Satur Ocampo doesn’t watch out, he may be next. Do all these have the blessing of Uncle Sam even if she publicly condemns such killings? Remember how the CIA operates. They are good in covert operations and activities. The CIA often uses another country’s people to kill their own before they step in. What we’re seeing is something bigger to come. It may be a prelude to another emergency rule; this time with Uncle Sam’s blessing.

  2. Ellen,

    I’ve lost friends back in the ’80s. Abductions and liquidations were the norm back then. It seems the sleeping dogs have awaken to once again sow terror in the hearts of the people. Puno and Cruz wouldn’t lift a finger. They don’t care at all. These deeds are done by cowards and nothing more.

    There was one case during my activist days when we found a colleague after just a week. He had been tortured and seemed to have been thrown in front of an on-coming train. He was poor, and we had no explanations to offer his grieving mother. All we can say was he died fighting for his freedom.

    We were under a dictatorship back then and the state dictatesd on the people. The administration today insist we are in a democracy. Yeah sure we are, and they can eat my shorts.

  3. Don’t these people have a heart? What if it happens to their own daughters?

  4. Emilio_OFW Emilio_OFW

    Hindi magbabago ang kalagayan sa Pilipinas habang ang nasa mindset ng mga nasa militar na sila ang mas makapangyarihan kaysa sa mga civilian. Ang mga may ranggong major ngayon na katulad nina Major Trouble, Major Disaster at Major Calamity ay magkakaroon na ng mga estrella balang araw kaya sila ay magiging General Trouble, General Disaster at General Calamity.

    So what else is new?

  5. jorgie jorgie

    Schumey, Emilio, Ellen…the active Generals today were junior officers during Martial Law and at the time of Marcos. So, they have learned a lot during those period. Gloria was a little spoiled brat then and she saw with her own eyes how the people and civilians were abused and killed by the Marcos Gestapo who were no different to this midget’s Generals today. However, those who were old enough then could now say it was better during the time of Marcos. Even the leftists today and party-list solons like Satur Ocampo concede that Marcos was better and this midget is a lot worse today.

  6. Ellen, Shcumey and friens,

    These girls remind of one of my childhood friends with whom I maintained close friendship till we were teen-agers was a beautiful, intelligent girl called Joanna Carino. She was from Baguio and went to UP later on.

    She came from a very well off family (her Dad was a governor of one of the provinces in the North) but I guess UP ideology got to her. She joined the leftist movement and from what I heard from other friends, she was killed in an ambush by the military.

    I was glad when the Communist Party was finally legalized. I thought it would lessen the killings. But no! An Assumption-bred woman takes the government by “force” and the killing starts all over again!

    I sincerely hope these two girls are still alive.

    Gloria and her executioner called Palparan must be made to answer for the anguish, the agony, the hurt that their disappearance is causing their families! Command responsibility… But most of all, I do hope they are found soon and are alive.

  7. jorgie jorgie

    Anna, you addressed your comment to Ellen, Schumey and friens without mentioning my name Jorgie. My name is not friens.

    Yes, those missing UP students are only among the many missing youth kidnapped and God forbids might be already buried somewhere. I’m reminded of killing fields. Who would be so bold and cruel to have done this except the ones in power?

  8. Sorry, jorgie, I meant friends not friens…

    Incidentally, Ellen,

    I just received this from Yuko who is can’t even find your blog from her browser. I wonder what’s going on… I don’t know if it’s only your blog that she can’t access. I asked her if she wanted me to post a comment for her but the trouble is she doesn’t know what your blog is about and can’t comment with relevance. I’m going to cut and pasted your blog Ellen to send to her so she knows what’s going on…

    Here’s her e-mail.

    “My browser cannot find Ellen’s blog. I have tried all ways to do it with my computers at home. And I don’t know if it is because of the line connection. I will check with my provider in the morning. I will go to my office tomorrow, and see if I can log on there. It has a different
    connection and ID.

    “I am presently cleaning up my computers and finding out possible cause of why I cannot get to Ellen’s blog. I would like to comment but I don’t even know the new blog and what are being talked of there.”

  9. Toney Cuevas Toney Cuevas

    Life has no value, it has no meaning and so cheap in the mind of Gloria. Thus, Karen and Sherlyn are but statistic numbers in the scheme of things on Gloria greediness to power. And, they were become victims like many others of unconscienable abuse by the Gloria Arroyo and her government. It hasn’t stop ever since Gloria grabbed power, when Gloria have decided she’s above the law. Gloria is but Hitler of the Philippines with only lacking is a mustache on her face. Gloria’s goons are working diligently to appease Gloria’s desire to be the queen of satanic empire and they’re obviously winning. Heartless Gloria sadly won’t spare anyone including Karen and Sherlyn on the long list of Gloria’s quest to remain in power. Sadly, feel sorry for the parents.

  10. I agree with you Tony, these girls are nothing but mere statistics in “purge” this administration is doing.

    Anna, Ellen,

    I just remembered that I have friends who were former rebels, and irony of it all, they now live in the U.S. They were able to migrate despite their past. And to think the U.S. consider the NPAs terrorists.

    These girls were snatched in their prime and both are accomplished students. What a waste, made to be examples to terrorize the administration’s critics. Maybe when all of this is done, we can charge GMA with crimes against humanity.

  11. Imagine, this is happening a few kilometers from Manila!

    What about in the hinterlands?

    There probably have been abductions there that Manila hasn’t heard of…

    How absolutely disgusting that people in uniform could do that to their fellowmen when they are supposed to be the protectors of the weak.

    That’s what soldiering is supposed to be about – they are not supposed to abuse the weak.

    And Schumey, this is why we have tribunals for war criminals. Yes, Palparan is a candidate for the war tribunal as an accused and Gloria too!

  12. jorgie jorgie

    Anna, tell your friend from Japan that she’s been banned from this blog. If she wishes, she can forward her message to me. Tell her this site is sick and tired of reading about Japan and her religion. No wonder we have not seen her long letters for a while. Buti nga sa kanya!

  13. UP voiced their indignation against the abduction of these students. UP has a voice: its faculties and students were there to say it all. Just imagine those who cannot even say what they feel against the abuses committed by gloria and her cohorts. What a pity! Hanggang kailan kaya mananaig ang kasamaan sa Pilipinas?

  14. jorgie jorgie

    Correct me if I’m wrong…today’s UP is different from that of yesterday. The UP students in the past were more assertive of their rights and more active. Today, that enthusiasm and passion seem to have decreased.

  15. Emilio_OFW Emilio_OFW

    What’s wrong with you, Jorgie? It’s not for you to say who’s banned and who’s allowed in Ms. Ellen’s blogsite.

    The issue here is Gloria and her minions.

    Be civil at times and respect the opinions of others as we respect yours.

  16. florry florry

    For the Economist Glorrupt, her way to go is to capitalize and depend on manpower export as the main backbone of her economics, and No to Capital cash outlay to create employment opportunities – para sa bulsa at pang-bribe lang yon – kaya ang market na dinevelop niya ay ang pagpapadala ng mga OFW sa ibat-ibang bansa.

    She doesn’t encourage investments to come in, instead tinatakot niya-walang tigil na patayan,kidnappings, bombings, imagined coup de etats, bureacratic red tapes,etc.Mas madaling mangurakot yata dito sa OWWA, walang sabit dahil hawak nila ang mga tao doon, kaysa sa mga foreign investors, mahirap pang kausap at baka magingay pa.

    Dahil sa kahirapan at walang mapasukang trabaho, napipilitang mag-abroad para may maipakain sa pamilya. Yan ang gustong-gusto niyang mangyari para mabawasan ang mga taong galit sa kaniya at mabawasan din ang unemployed at ng sa ganoon kapag nag-survey tataas ang rating niya.

    Depending on the country of destination, going abroad as OFW is fraught with danger and uncertainties. But to prospective OFWs no amount of discouragement will deter them, sabihin pa inggit ka lang, basta maka-pagabroad, kahit na sa gitna ng labanan mo dalhin, harangan man ng sibat, hindi papipigil.

    Stepping out of a plane and everything in sight is foreign, people, place, language and everything, nothing will bother, and scare them, and just like battle-tested soldiers, handa na rin magsilbi at magpaalila. Ang mga iba kahit na inaabuso hindi na lang nagrereklamo, aba, nasa abroad na yata at kumikita ng dollar, magiging OK na ang buhay at matutupad na ang mga pangarap para sa pamilya.

    At kahit pa sa Iraq at ngayon sa Lebanon, kung open ang pagpunta, marami pa rin ang gustong pumunta. Ganyan ka desperado ang mga kawawang kababayan natin. At sa buong mundo kilalang kilala ang Pilipinas bilang isa sa pinakacorrupt na bansa and of course as a world provider of nannies/babysitters, domestic helpers, caregivers and you name it, Pilipinas will provide it.

    Things like these are realities and blame it on the government na walang alam gawin kundi ubusin ng ubusin ang pera ng bayan mapanatili lang sa ninakaw na puwesto at pagpuno ng mga bank accounts. Kailan kaya magkakaroon ng konsiyensiya ang mga taong ito at tigilan na ang pangungurakot at asikasuhin naman ang paglingkod sa bayan.

    Kung sa bagay, masasabi rin natin na blessing in disguise na makapagabroad ang mga tao. Nakakatulong talaga sa kabuhayan nila at kahit na mapunta sila sa isang bansa na medyo delikado at magulo, at least they know where they are going to and what to expect just in case.

    Sa Pilipinas naglipana ang mga hold-uppers, snatchers, kidnappers, killers, etc, talagang magulo at delikado rin, ika nga wala na ring lugar na masasabi mong safe na safe ka, lalo na pa kung magawi ka sa bandang Central Luzon at makita ka ni Butcher PALPARAN, sabihin niya communist ka, sigurado, hindi ka na sisikatan ng araw.

    Sa pagkakataong ganito mas lucky ang mga OFW dahil kung may mangyari sa kanila, may inaasahan silang benefits para sa pamilya nila, iyan ay kundi pa ubos ang funds ng OWWA. Pero kapag diyan sa Pilipinas ka aabutan ng malas sa mga kamay ni Palparan and his men, baka hindi lang katawan mo ang mawawala kundi pati na kaluluwa mo. Sa Enchanted Kingdom na lang siguro ang safe destination ng mga Pilipino. Buhay nga naman.

  17. jorgie jorgie

    It was meant as a joke, Emilio. If you’re too old for such a joke, I’m sorry. I know this person from Japan whom I was referring to way back. I don’t think you’re an OFW in Lebanon to be reacting this way. I don’t even want to say it’s none of your business. That’s the problem when a third party tries to act as policeman like the world’s biggest bully in the West. The Middle-East crisis would not have escalated if not for third parties who even if their intentions were good digged their hands into issues that they should not. And that applies even to groups like this.

  18. Emilio_OFW Emilio_OFW

    Jorgie, I am not trying to be a big brother to anyone here and I don’t intend to.

    Tama na iyang mga side comments and mga pasaring dahil iyan ang pinagmumulan ng hindi pagkakaunawaan.

    Let’s concentrate on the issue in this blog – Gloria and her minions!

  19. jorgie: I have not been in the Campus for soemtime to know and feel the pulse….But gauging from the activities of the missing girls, I think they’re still at it. Who wouldn’t? ….with problems like ate glue, who can feel safe?

    @Emilio: Right on, Bro….Tama na yung iringan or as he says: “jokes”….I was born from a Japanese-Pinoy union, but my heart longs for the Land that nurtured my parents: Pilipinas…hence my concern for everything Pinoy.

    Kaya tayo naririto eh PARA SA PILIPINAS….

  20. jorgie jorgie

    If you notice Emilio, I’ve been always polite and respectful in addressing you. That one I wrote to Anna was meant as a joke kahit halatang may tampo ako sa kaibigan niyang Haponesang iyon. Eh Paano ba naman di ko alam kung bakit nagalit siya sa akin eh ang suggestion ko lang naman bawasan niya ang puro kuwento tungkol sa bansang Hapon at madalas din ang tungkol sa kanilang simbahan. Nagalit eh. Kung ano ang ipinagsasabi keso napatalsik daw ako sa ibang grupo at may split personality ako. She even said she wouldn’t be reading my posts here anymore. Kaya iyong comment ko kay Anna hindi naman niya mababasa (which I doubt). May ugali iyan taga-Hapon na kapag may kaaway sa isang discussion group, either minsan na lang susulat o aalis na lang then sa ibang grupo na lang sasali.

    Pero tutoong mahirap mag-log in dito sa blog. Nahihirapan din ako. I hope Ellen could do something about this site. Baka may kilala siyang technician o trouble shooter.

    Finally Emilio, kanya-kanyang diskarte at ugali ang mga kasama natin dito. Buti nga hindi ako nagmumura gaya ng iba dito. Buti na lang iisa lang ang layunin natin lahat: Patalsikin si Pandak. Hindi lang naman basta patalsikin siya…but I also know that each one of us has the interest of the nation in our heart. If only for this, let’s move on and continue our fight for truth and justice.

  21. jorgie jorgie

    Kaya tayo naririto eh PARA SA PILIPINAS….

    Tama taipan, para sa Pilipinas at hindi Hapon o ano man bansa.

    Ewan ko lang brod pero matamlay ang kilos ng mga kabataan ngayon sa UP. Noong panahon ni Marcos, grabe. Suerte nga ito si tiyanak ngayon dahil medyo mas mabait ang mga militanteng students ngayon di tulad noon. O baka naman mas maraming berdugong pulis at militar ngayon?

  22. jorgie jorgie

    Ellen, I was only joking. Kuko este Yuko was having a hard time loggin into this blog like many of us. I think something’s wrong with this site. About ayawko este Yuko, she won’t never get banned for her contributions. Even if she’s biased about her adopted country that sometimes has become annoying to read, she has a lot of good ideas. Deep in her heart, she loves her motherland and is passionate about what she believes in and has always been a fighter. We may have our differences but these won’t hinder us from joining the rest to make sure that this Bansot is removed at once.

  23. In a way, the apathy of the public is contributory to the cruelty being done by Arroyo to these young girls. She knows she can get away with. Puno and cruz know they can get away with it because the public is too busy protecting their interests.

  24. goldenlion goldenlion

    Filipinos in Lebanon are nowhere to run. This false government is being left by other countries who have been relocating now their citizens. The bansot was caught sleeping without beauty. The only shelter they have is the church. See? Because the black magic woman is very busy with her unjustice plans to eliminate her critics and to stay in power forever that she forgot to perform the duties of the president, the position she grabbed not once but twice!!

    Let’s see how defensor, bunyeta, ermita, gonzales y gonzalez (whatever) can do to help the OFWs in the war stricken country of Lebanon. I’m sure they will make stories and lies again to hide their incompetencies. Liars go to HELL!!!

  25. jorgie jorgie

    Ellen, I don’t know about Cruz’s background but this Puno was also part of Marcos’ Martial Law era. So, it’s no surprising that what’s happening these days are similar to that of the time of Marcos.

  26. goldenlion goldenlion

    I only hope these two missing girls will surface soon!! Philippines my Philippines, where are you going to? Road to martial rule…..??? Enough is enough!!!

  27. I saw some pictures on Lebanon at BBC. Can’t help but imagine the panic and the fear that is in every Pinoy’s heart caught in that war-torn country. ….while ate glue sits comfortably by the Pasig!…..Samantala, nearest to malacanang are crimes, the perpetrators of which maybe the very arms that protect gloria.

  28. Dominique Dominique

    The Papal Nuncio Archbishop Fernando Filoni said last Sunday: “I am surprised to see that in the Philippines, there is still an activity of high incidence of moral and political violence against those who profess different ideologies like the journalists, columnists, writers, among others.

    “It will truly be a contradiction if on the one hand, we practically abolished the death penalty and, on the other hand, we are not respecting or implementing the rights of the human race.”

    http://newsinfo.inq7.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=10099

  29. Re:”Pero tutoong mahirap mag-log in dito sa blog. Nahihirapan din ako. I hope Ellen could do something about this site. Baka may kilala siyang technician o trouble shooter.” From Jorgie.

    Thanks Jorgie. I’ll relay the problem with my administrator. I’m also experiencing the same problem but I thought the problem is on my end. Like unstable cable lines or something like that.

  30. jinxies6719 jinxies6719

    19 July 2006

    Ms. Ellen,

    I dont know with representaTHIEVES cagas and uy, they both claim that erap has a hand in the alleged coup plot against the leprechaun, they are connecting the kawal pilipino foundations donations to the cooperative established by then 1st rangers head gen lim to the coup plot??? when did the kawal pilipino made the donations, when was the alleged coup of gen lim???isn’t the donations was done even before the alleged failed coup of gen lim???tsk, tsk, tsk…… the leprechaun has already started unleashing her attack dogs to divert the attention from “the joke”

    jinx

  31. jorgie jorgie

    Ellen, hindi kaya sinasabotahe tayo ng Malacanang? It’s possible that they’re hacking this blog. Nangyari na iyan sa ibang mga grupo. May malaking budget ang Malacanang diyan.

  32. For none UP denizens like me, UPD in Isagani’s comment is University of the Philippines, Diliman.

  33. off topic:

    Our favorite US Ambassador of all time, Kristie Kenney, has spoken on the Joc-joc Bolante case, and no surprise (to me at least)– she refuses to cooperate with Sen. Magsaysay’s committee in providing more information on Joc joc.

    Instead, and tells magsaysay to get his information from the DFA.

    Okay. fayn. Watever.

    It’s funny though because when you ask the DFA naman for more information on Joc joc, they say na all inquiries on Joc joc should be referred to his lawyer Antonio zulueta, who has made himself scarce and cannot be found or contacted.

    (Ellen Tordesillas tried to contact lawyer Zulueta but to no avail.)

    This is not the first time the DFA dicked around on the Bolante case.

    More from the Tribune:

    But Malacañang washed its hands off the Bolante arrest, saying he is no longer a government official, but also said, as a private citizen, that the consulate in Los Angeles would afford Bolante the assistance given to any Filipino citizen. On the matter of the details and background of the Bolante affair, nothing was offered, which in itself is much too strange, considering that consulate officers can definitely obtain basic information from the US authorities, having the official foreign government status.

    But giving out information that Bolante’s case involved a canceled visa made things even worse, since there have been too many Filipinos — relatively known and unknown — who have had their visas canceled by US authorites, denied entry to the US and detained very briefly, with these Filipinos quickly shipped back, without being arrested, and without having to post bail of $100,000 or have a hearing. And this is Joc-Joc Bolante, known to be a close ally and associate of the presidential couple, who many times over, ensured his protection when he flitted in and out of the country to evade being called to the Senate to testify on the P3-billion fertilizer funds scam.

    More strange official behavior was noted. On the day of the hearing, the DFA claimed that Bolante had spurned the Arroyo government’s assistance, invoking privacy, then saying all queries on Bolante should be coursed through his lawyer in Manila, who couldn’t be found.

    .
    And to this day, his lawyer have yet to make a statement regarding Joc Joc Bolante that can be found in Google news.

    Amee Enriquez also noted the lack of transparency from all the authorities on the Joc joc matter:

    He was already making headlines in the Philippines because of a scandal involving fertilizer, but prior to his arrest at the Los Angeles International Airport last July 7, few Filipinos in Los Angeles have even heard of Jocelyn “Joc-Joc” I. Bolante.

    Now Joc-joc’s name has entered the consciousness of U.S.-based Filipinos, especially as the details surrounding his arrest and detention at the San Pedro Detention Facility in L.A., a jail used exclusively for foreigners who violate U.S. immigration laws, are hazy, and neither the Philippine government, members of the Philippine Consulate in L.A., Joc-joc’s Manila based lawyer, Antonio Zulueta, or U.S. immigration officials are willing to talk about the circumstances surrounding his B1-B2 visa cancellation.

  34. Isagani Isagani

    That is right, Ellen. And that is really not saying or doing much(UPD’s article, which you have reproduced in your post.)

    “We are greatly concerned… We emphasize… We would threfore wish to strongly support…”

    There is something wrong here? I find it hard to believe that this is all that UPD can come up with when two of their very own remain missing. I suspect this is not the real UPD students talking.

    They close: “In conclusion, we would like to repeat President Roman’s words to Secretaries Puno and Cruz: ‘We know that you share with us a commitment to the spirit of the UN General Assembly’s…”

    What? You agree with President Roman’s words? Don’t you still get it?

    Sticks and stones will break gma’s bones, but words will never hurt her!

  35. Isagani,

    Sometimes, I understand where these academics come from.

    They have a mission to fulfill – that is to continue educating the young ones in their midst.

    It is hard for them to empty the campus and go on demos.

    Obviously, we want more concrete actions. With top-notch professors and lawyers in their midst, they could perhaps group together to DEMAND that this government produce the girls illico…

    It’s so frustrating but I understand that they are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.

    The criminals are Gloria Bansot and her executioner, Palparan.

  36. Ellen,

    I realize this is not the right forum but I thought that since this is your latest blog which many viewers access foremest, I should post Fr Cullen’s (of Preda.org) latest comments in his e-mail circular on the Bishop bribery scandal:

    “A heated row between Philippine Catholic church leaders and the head of State over alleged bribes given to bishops to influence their vote about the impeachment of the president has created turmoil. Last July 14 and 15 news emerged that several Philippine bishops had been passed envelopes stuffed with thousands of pesos allegedly coming from the office of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The palace denied any bribery attempt. Some bishops said they believed that the cash stuffed envelops were more than gifts to relieve poverty in their dioceses but was attempted bribery. In response, the justice secretary Raul Gonzales was quoted as saying “The people who said that are dirty-minded .They should first inquire about the purpose why such assistance is given, if it is given for a noble purpose, why not.” Some bishops agreed with that, Bishop Precioso Cantillas of Maasin, Leyte said such help is not a bribe but a way for the government to alleviate poverty.

    “A leading Bishop, Jose Manguiran of Dipolog diocese said, he was given two cash filled envelopes on the eve of the crucial meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) which was to discuss the pending impeachment of the President.

    ““They were trying to bribe the bishops …it was shameless”. He returned the money with a covering letter. Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, CBCP vice-president was also given an envelope with cash but he told a reporter that he refused it. It was during a meeting between ten bishops and government secretaries on current issues such as the anti-mining campaign, sex education in schools and the environment that more money was passed to the bishops.

    “Bishop Pedro Arigo from Palawan, reported that he was given an envelope with 20,000 pesos. Another bishop was also given an envelope into his hand on the day of the vote regarding whether the bishops would support the impeachment movement against the president. Bishop Deogracias Iniquez of Caloocan, Metro Manila had filed an impeachment charge together with several similar charges from opposition groups. The bishop’s statement finally said, among other things, that the CBCP was not inclined to support the movement to impeach the president.

    “The role of the legendary Cardinal Jaime Sin in toppling the tyrant Ferdinand Marcos and the election of Corazon Aquino as president in 1986 a staunch catholic gave the Catholic Church a dynamic and influential role in deciding the fate of Philippine presidents.

    “Another church supported People Power movement in January 2001 forced President Joseph Estrada from power and the swearing in the vice president Arroyo sealed the perception of the church as a King (or queen) maker in Philippine politics.

    “The elections of 2004 confirmed President Macapagal-Arroyo in power but she has been besieged with attempted coups, an election scandal that accused her of massive cheating, ignoring widespread corruption, and a failed attempt to impeach her in 2005. A new one is now pending. Hence the Bishop’s position on the latest impeachment attempt is crucial for the beleaguered President.

    “What most Filipinos can’t understand is why the Philippines, a resource rich Catholic country, is so corrupt and mired in poverty bringing misery to millions. Has the Church’s moral teaching, education, and leadership failed, they ask? Many want the bishops to be a united strong outspoken voice of moral authority and not to use their moral influence to play politics.

    “Some bishops are struggling to find themselves and discover a meaning to their ministry in the convoluted Philippines of today. A few find it too challenging and difficult to work for the liberation of the oppressed, and too frightening to challenge the rich and powerful and speak out forcibly against the death squads and other evils. They prefer quite diplomacy. For many Filipinos it is too quite. Some Bishops are so traditional that they seem to believe that working for social justice is advocating socialism and that’s too close to communism.

    “There are bishops who are greatly admired and revered as Christ like, true prophetic voices of the poor declaring the poor blessed and that the Kingdom is for them. They challenge the wealthy elite of Government to protect the family and the environment, save the indigenous people from exploitation and mining. They fight for justice and truth and refuse to take government donations from the casinos. To be truly Christian is to imitate Christ and that means taking an uncompromising stand for justice and truth – come what may. (End)”

  37. Ellen,

    I just had a brief text info from a French source detailed in the Middle East (Lebanon to be exact). He says he’s not aware of the evacuation of Filipinos there but he’s spotted a few among the French-Leabanese groups who have enlisted for repatriation to France.

  38. Anna,

    I do hope the French would be kind enough in the spirit of humanity that they help the Filiponos now trapped in Lebanon. I hope that all nations now actively participating in the evacuation of their nationals extend their hand of assistance to our countrymen who has been “left out in the cold” by their own government.

    Ellen,

    Malacanang can say all they want regarding Bolante, the fact remains that he still a close family friend.

    To all,

    I seldom comment about Yuko. She only makes comparisons between Japan and the Philippines to let us see how a morally upright leadership can effectively run a country. I never saw such patriotism from a “foreigner”. She may only be part Filipino but the concern and love she had extended to our countrymen can never denied. Remember that we were once under America and so was Japan. Where did we go wrong? Why has Japan grown so much with the limited resources she has while the Philippines regressed than progressed? Maybe its because Japan was never really conquered. She had managed to keep her identity and pride intact. We must not be myopic with our analysis but must look at the big picture. Discerning minds see through mere words and statements.

  39. I believe they will and am convinced they will. The Filipinos should go to the nearest French evacuation center and FIGHT IT OUT! (I also begged my friend not to turn away some of the Pinoys in the evacuation center that he’s spotted there.)

    The French will of course give priority to its nationals but they will surely evacuate Filipinos who can fight it out against non-French listers to get in the queu (whom many the French have already evacuated!) Filipinos must fight it out! It’s apparently mayhem there.

    RP’s ambassador to Australia can intervene with the French Ministry of Defence (he holds a French Legion d’Honneur and is highly regarded – he knows most of the members of the French admiralty – Cimatu MUST CALL ON HIM!)

  40. Isagani Isagani

    Anna, roman should lead the students out in the streets to protest. he should put his money where his mouth is and back up this protest paper with action. it is not as if they have to do it everyday. they just have to keep the pressure up.

    roman does not even have to involve the students. he can go out there by his lonesome self, carry a placard and protest.

    I am from UPD. you were too. i know how quick ‘we’ were in protesting in front of the american embassy. we’ve gone out to the streets for lesser issues. education is not only about academics. you know that as well as anybody else.

  41. Me?

    Thanks Isagani but I ain’t from UPD so unfortunate but I never went to UPD. (My Dad wouldn’t let me go to UP coz of the Martial Law, he was worried for me – my two older sisters did get into UP and graduated there but they got in prior to Martial Law.)

    I understand what you mean re Roman and I agree…

  42. But I knew many people from UP… I remember I used to “date” a guy called Manny Ortega (Is it Manny?, I think it is.) who apparently, was the illegitimate son of Macoy by Carmen Ortega. I knew Eugene Tan (who became IBP prexy and who was gunned down a few years ago coz he used to come to the house and was my sis’ BF.

  43. Ellen, All:

    I’m back. I’ve asked my provider to fix the problem, and they did. I’ve asked for careful monitoring of this blog, too, although it may turn out to be difficult to do anything legally unless I am directly adversely affected.

    Not being able to see this blog is more a precaution as my I have set my browser to high security because of an experience of a friend of mine logging in to some egroups for Filipinos, and as rabidly anti-Pandak as a lot many of us here that he got viruses in his PC to render it useless.

    In my case, I am able to try to fix the problem myself with my IT knowhow. In fact, I fix computers as a side business, and reason why I can afford to have more than one PC at home and my office.

    Ingat ka Ellen! I read that two journalists in Mindanao were downed this week! Nograles should concentrate his efforts protecting people in his island from getting killed by these hoodlums in uniform, and stop protecting the criminally inclined who overstays at the palace by the murky river.

  44. Anna:

    We’re having a meeting on Sunday in fact at a church-community center in Tokyo to discuss this kidnapping of UP students, and at the same time organized the coalition of Philippine organizations all over Japan. I am actually encouraging fellow UP alumni to get involved in this, but a lot are just too busy making money.

    It’s one reason in fact why I never tried to be a mere salary-woman over here. At least, when I started off here, I could afford to apply for managerial job until I decided to go on my own plus my part-time jobs at the police, court, prison and TV as interpreter/translator.

    I run a cyber meeting place for UP alumni in Japan as a matter of fact. We don’t discuss politics there, though. We are trying to concentrate more on how to help our Alma Mater. I give feedbacks on our activities at the Oxford U Society, though that is more organized and get lots of financial help from concerned alumni, etc.

    Iba talaga ang may prestige na university. UP used to have a good name over here, likewise, until recently. This is why we are desirous to help return it to its former glory, at least, before UP started granting bogus diplomas to some mediocre economist, et al!!!

    I remember those days when President Cinco for refusing to accept the application of the Pandak to study at UP without going through the rigid requirements. Gone are the days, I guess, of UP presidents enjoying the same and equal power as the president of the Philippines. Quality naman kasi sila noon!

    I remember those times likewise when I joined rallies in front of the US Embassy and enjoying the bus rides with my friends even when I actually feared being spotted and refused re-entry to America. I did not join the Kabataang Makabayan, though, because I did not like the guy promoting it at Diliman. Got a degree in history and linguistics, there, you know.

    Kaya with these credentials sa totoo lang, nakakaliit ng pagkatao ang pumatol sa mga alaga ni Pandak dito even when they know that this is for discussing the problems besetting the country under her illegal presidency.

  45. This should read: I remember those days when President Cinco clashed with Dadong Macapagal over his refusal to give in to accept the application of the Pandak to study at UP without going through the rigid requirements. Kaya iyan napunta sa Georgetown U that was virtually unknown to us at that time. Ang kakilala namin noon ay iyong mga Ivy Leaguers at UCLA and UC Berkeley. Mas kilala pa nga ang Dartmouth College na university na ngayon.

    Ang yabang nga ni Pandak kasi sinasabing graduate siya ng Georgetown U e isang taon lang yata siya doon at ang undergrad diploma naman niya nakuha naman niya sa Assumption College. Hambug talaga ang ungas!

    Gone are the days, I guess, of UP presidents enjoying the same and equal power as the president of the Philippines. Quality naman kasi sila noon!

  46. Kawawa naman ang mga students na ito. Sana buhay pa at hindi hinahalay ng mga hoodlums na kumuha sa kanila. It reminded me of the same thing that happened to a fellow UP alumni and churchmember of mine. Uniformed men din ang kumuha sa kaniya and left him for dead. But God wanted him to live at ang nakakuha pa sa kaniya ay mga members ng simbahan namin na mga magsasaka doon sa bukid na pinagtapunan sa kaniya. He lived to tell his tale. Pero mukhang no effect! Mas masahol pa nga ngayon dahil ilegal na babae pa ang tiyanak na ito na nagpapairal ng mga ganitong kawalanghiyaan para lang makapanatili siya sa kinauupuan niya!

    Ipagdarasal ko na lang ang kaligtasan nila!

  47. Ay, finally! Got in too.

    I see Yuko has got in too. Buti na lang. I had to unplug cable, etc. and switch off, switch on, etc. to get in coz I kept getting:

    “The name ellentordesillas.com is for sale
    » REGISTER this name (?) » REFER this name to earn $10 (?) » I got here by mistake
    See top 1000 available webnames from April, 2006 to June, 2006
    Register your name before somebody else does! ”

    Hahahhah!

    Baka na-stress yong computer ko!

  48. Yuko,

    I heard somewhere that Gloria didn’t graduate from Georgetown U but merely spent a year there.

    Is this true?

  49. Jefferson Chiong Jefferson Chiong

    Coffee Brake muna tayo 😉

    Opposition leader says Japan must regain trust of Asian neighbors
    07/19 12:40:11 PM

    TOKYO (AP) – Japan opposition leader Ichiro Ozawa said Wednesday that Japan must regain the trust of its Asian neighbors and that resolving disputes over Tokyo’s Yasukuni war shrine is paramount.

    “It is imperative that we work to regain the trust of our Asian neighbors,” Ozawa said at a Tokyo news conference.

    The leader of Japan’s Democratic Party visited Beijing to talk with Chinese leaders earlier this month.

    Ozawa said that resolving bitter feelings over visits to Yasukuni shrine by Japanese leaders is “foremost” in smoothing relations with Asian countries.

  50. Jefferson Chiong Jefferson Chiong

    Hayan nagtampo tuloy ang JAPAN!!!

    Japan planning to cut overseas development aid by 3 percent next year, report says
    07/19 4:14:37 PM

    TOKYO (AP) – Japan, one of the world’s most generous donors of over overseas development aid, is planning to cut spending on such foreign assistance by 3 percent next year, Kyodo News reported Wednesday.

    The budget guidelines were agreed to during a phone call between Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki and Foreign Minister Taro Aso, the report said. The meeting came ahead of a Friday decision on finalizing a ceiling for government spending.

    Officials from the Finance Ministry were not immediately able to confirm the report. Mika Nishimori, an official at the Foreign Ministry’s overseas aid division, said the budget ceiling is still under discussion and has not yet been decided.

    The Foreign Ministry is still seeking ways to fund the various aid commitments made by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, she said, adding that development aid “sends a very important message.”

    For the current fiscal year, from March 2006 to March 2007, Japan has earmarked 75.97 billion yen (US$661 million; ?527.49 million) in overseas development aid, Nishimori said.

  51. Welcome back, Yuko.

    I’m glad you were able to fix your problem. What was the problem, ba?

    Re Gloria and Georgetown U, it’s true that she did not graduate there. She and Clinton were not classmates as in they were attending the same class. She herself told us that they were schoolmates. I covered that FVR official visit to White House when Clinton greeted her, “Is that you, Gloria?”

    GMA said, “I’m now senator.”

    After that, we interviewed her and she was kilig na kilig. She told us that Clinton would peep in her classroom to make sure that she was there and they would walk in the campus together. I got the feeling that she was hinting that Clinton was flirting with her. If it were true, I was just imagining the two of them walking in Georgetown U campus, Hanggang saan kaya siya, waistline ni Clinton?

  52. Anna, ano ba yun, (the name ellentordesillas is for sale)? I noticed that I encounter difficulty in logging in if my modem and router are warm. Maybe it has something to do with the temperature in my room. When that happens I shut it off and use my dial-up (i-manila). Slow but reliable.

  53. Yuko, I’m glad that you are stirring up awareness on the disappearence of these two students and the farmer, Manuel Merino.

    Whatever they are, leftists or not, they are human beings and entitled to due process.

    There’s an organization, the Bantayog Foundation, that honors those who were killed for fighting the Marcos dictatorship. Stories about what they went through will make you cry.(Click here)Their struggle was the seed in the fight against dictatorship that saw fruition in February 1986.

    It was one of the darkest period of our history. There’s a Remembrance Wall honoring “those who fell during the night”them at the corner of Edsa and Quezon Avenue to remind us that we should not allow it to happen again.

  54. Ellen:

    My provider suspects that it is either because I have set my internet access’ security at high and viruses, etc. were detected from your site, or worst, someone knowledgeable in IT changed the DNS hook-up to your site for bloggers like us who are rabidly anti-crime/anti-criminal sitting on the throne at the palace by the murky river.

    My provider suspected the latter, and decided to change my access numbers.

    I have to have high security because I have what we call over here as hikari-fiber (optics fiber in English) and the fastest. We are actually recommended to install firewall in our PCs over here.

    One thing good is I’m in this experiment to filter SPAMs being initiated by the Ministry of Communication with my provider for the implementation of the new Internet Law of Japan. Problema lang nga kung ang perpetrator is Philippine-based.

    I’ll keep you posted by private mail on what we can further find out about this experience. First time to happen to me as a matter of fact.

  55. Anna,

    BTW, you get misdirected to such site in fact when you type faster than your Internet Access can move, I guess. Nangyari din sa akin iyan a lot of times. Careful doon sa mga period in between words, for example.

  56. Ellen,

    We heard that story told by Pandak too about her “escapades” with Clinton daw until I threw back the joke that she must have been the one who taught Clinton what he told Lewinsky to do to him!!! … kasi kasing-taas ng bibig niya iyong fly ni Clinton!!! Ay Bastos! 😛

  57. Ellen,

    I got to the link on the heroes of Martial Law. I remember Voltaire Garcia. I was a freshman when he was a senior and a staff of Philippine Collegian. Yes, I heard of their movement against Marcos, but I was no longer in the Philippines, and could only read them occasionally in Philippine newspapers at the PAL office in Tokyo.

    At least, now we have the Internet to keep abreast with news back home plus more advocacies for Filipinos over here and back home. Takot na takot tuloy ang mother ko, who is in the USA.

    Sabi ko sa kaniya, Japan is not the Philippines, and with my police connection, I am definitely and truly safe!!!

  58. vic vic

    I was having problem logging to Ellen’s site with my Laptop, without virus protection and my technique is to rip it off the Local Internet Connection and Use its wireless default setting. It opens up but just slightly faster than a turtle. Now with a Pentium D dual core Dell with Mcaffe installed anti virus and firewall and spam killer (I don’t really knew what these things mean) the browser opens like a charm even the MLQ site which also gave the same trouble. So try this Virus Killers, it zap the virus no matter whose, even from the dirty and smelly Pasig..(joke lang)

  59. Ellen,

    Re your name for sale: I don’t know but it has happened more than a couple of times with the same notice. Fortunately, when I disconnected the cable, then re-boote, and re-posted your link this time, ok na!

    I saw Clinton from a (real far) distance in Belfast when he visited Northern Ireland (we lived there for a short while many years ago). The crowd was so thick and they LOVED him – crowds chanted his name like he was a movie or singing superstar; there was absolutely no hostility for the man. The man was simply a walking charisma. I suppose that’s why kilig na kilig si Bansot. Hahah!

    They reckon Clinton is 6’4 and Gloria is 4’9 (totoo, 4’9 lang siya hindi 4’10 or 4’11), ano yon! – Perhaps Gloria didn’t realize Clinton needed a coaster for his beer (according to Manuel Buencamino!)! Siguro, she stalked Clinton in the campus too so they got to walk together…Heh!

  60. Wow, Vic, what’s that?

    I’ll ask my nephew, who helps me with techie matters.

    I’m no techie and it’s a big thing for me that I’m able to blog even if I’m not so computer literate. But I’m learning and I enjoy it.

  61. Yuko,

    Nanay ko din, takot sa sinasabi ko especially when she sees my letters getting published in Malaya and Tribune. Tapos, kilala pa ng mga taga Embassy dito iyong ID ko, heheh!

    I just say the same thing you say to your Momsame more or less that Europe has laws, etc. (Maski nga si Joma Sison, walang magawa si Gloria maski terrorist listed na sa US at dito sa Europe, ako pa kaya na walang connection sa terrorist listing ng bansot na ito?)

  62. Thanks too Vic, I will ask my son to check on these things “Now with a Pentium D dual core Dell with Mcaffe installed anti virus and firewall and spam killer”.

  63. Ellen:

    A Filipino publisher in LAX told me that they got a written denial from Clinton about his having been a classmate of hers since he is a year or two ahead of her, and I understand that by then he was already going out with Hilary Rodham! Buti kung pansinin siya ni Clinton! You should see her face then! Mas maganda pa si Luli sa totoo lang!!! Gulat nga ako when I saw her picture when she came here in the early 90’s. Iba doon sa naalala kong mukha niya!!!

  64. Toney Cuevas Toney Cuevas

    Ellen:

    “No Safe Place For Filipinos (even in the Philippines)” Excellent title for a talking point, it drives right through the very heart of the major problems facing the country, the Totalitarian regime of Gloria Arroyo and Company. But, just wondering, how safe are you, Ellen? Most obviously your politics are well known that you don’t care much for Gloria and her administration. Gloria is a snake and just be on guard at all time. Always cognizant of your surroundings at all time. I’m almost certain that someone from Malacanang are keeping an eye of your blog, knowing paranoia Gloria. Just be careful, we don’t want anything to happen to you. You are doing a great job of exposing Gloria for what she really is. I wish and hope that are more Pilipinos will tune in to your blog.

  65. Ellen:

    I’ll report on our meeting on Sunday, and take pictures that we will ask Arkibong to post in their site.

    What these soldiers do not realize is that if they kill these student, especially the pregnant one, there is going to be no forgiveness for their sin for that will be shedding of innocent blood, which is an unforgivable sin, and those who ordered their would have much graver punishment.

    The Midget would definitely be most responsible for all these murders for she holds the key to stop these soldiers from becoming inhumane and devilish brutes!!! 🙁

  66. Sorry, but this should read: What these soldiers do not realize is that if they kill these STUDENTS, especially the pregnant one, there is going to be no forgiveness for their sin for that will be shedding of innocent blood, which is an unforgivable sin, and those who ordered THESE KILLINGS would have much graver punishment after life!

  67. Isagani Isagani

    Anna, about you being from UPD, excuse me. My bad. 🙂

  68. It’s alright Isagani.

    I wish I’d gone to UP – it was my childhood dream but events (and Dad) warranted I went elsewhere.

  69. Yes, Anna, the Pandak is not just vindictive, wala pang common sense! Walang ginawa iyan kundi magsabi nang “Evacuate, evacuate!” pero wala namang ikinakasa.

    Iyon namang mga pilipino umaasa dahil nagbayad sila ng OWWA fund nila tapos wala ngayong mailabas dahil ginamit sa eleksyon in 2004 sa paggawa ng mga health card na may litrato ni Pandak! Pag namatay iyong 30,000 Filipino sa Lebanon baga kunyari pupunta si Pandak doon para magtayo ng malaking krus gawa ng ginawa niya sa Leyte doon gumuho ang bundok. Nanloko pa ng mga tao sa ibang bansa sa paghingi ng abuloy na pihado ko siya lang ang gumagastos!

    Kaya, Emilio, kapag may nangyari diyan sa KSA, siguraduhin mong may pera kang hawak para ikaw na ang magkusang humanap na paraan papaano ka makakaalis diyan ng mapayapa! Huwag mo nang asahan ang mga kurakot!

  70. Yuko,

    Si Ermita just announced na marami daw escape routes for the OFWs. Sige na nga, tama ka na nga Eduardo Ermita!

    And 200 people daw have been evacuated en route for Dubai. Sige na nga, unahin na ninyo iyong Embassy staff dahil walang makuhang sasakyan – bahala na iyong mga OFWs sa sarili nila anyway, para kay Gloria, marami pa naman siyang puwedeng i-export na human cattle maski ano ang mangyari!

    Imagine, these OFWs sweat blood and money to pay fees before they leave, buy all sorts of stamps that OWWA centers require, pay for documents at exorbitant prices in and out of the country. What do OFWs get in return particularly when they need their government’s help? NOTHING!

    What does Gloria’s government get in return? EVERYTHING…

    Tama ka, don’t depend on this government of moral and intellectual bansots if Pinoys ever find themselves in emergency situations.

  71. Update on Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan:
    Malaya, July 20, 2006

    SC to military: Produce 2 UP female students

    THE Supreme Court yesterday ordered Maj. Gen. Romeo Tolentino, commander of Northern Luzon Command, Gen.Jovito Palparan, 7th Infantry Division commander, two officers and a civilian to produce two female students of the University of the Philippines and a farmer believed abducted last June 26 in Hagonoy, Bulacan.

    In a two-page resolution, the SC First Division granted the petition for the issuance of a writ of habeas corpus filed last Monday by the parents of students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno, who claimed that their daughters and one Manuel Merino were forcibly taken by military officers.

    Other respondents were Lt. Col. Rogelio Boac, commanding officer of Task Force Bulacan, and
    a certain Lt. Samson and Arnel Enriquez.

    They were ordered by the SC to bring the students before the Court of Appeals on Monday at 10 a.m.
    Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban also ordered CA Presiding Justice Ruben Reyes to immediately raffle the assignment of the case among the CA justices and “thereafter hear the petition, decide the same and submit a report” to the SC.

    Last July 17, Asher and Erlinda Cadapan and Concepcion Empeno filed a petition for habeas corpus to force Nolcom commanders to present their daughters whom they believed are being held either at the headquarters of the 56th Infantry Battalion of the Task Force Bulacan, at Iba, Hagonoy or at Fort Magsaysay, Laur, Nueva Ecija.

    Petitioners claimed that Sherlyn and Karen, who were staying at the house of Raquel Halili at Barangay San Miguel, Hagonoy were forcibly taken by members of Philippine Army to the headquarters of the 56th Infantry Battalion, Iba, Hagonoy.
    The soldiers allegedly also seized Merino after he tried to help the students.

    Witnesses said the girls and Merino were loaded to a stainless jeep with license plate 597.
    A Bulacan-based human rights group, Karapatan, immediately went to the 56th Infantry Battalion headquarters to check on the students.

    The group headed by Mildred Benitez claimed that they saw the vehicle at the military base. But, the group said they were not allowed to get inside the camp.

    “There have been recorded by Karapatan some 181 abductions since the start of the Arroyo dictatorship. That only this most Honorable Court can stop this illegal practice which has never been heard and experienced since martial law during the dictatorship of Marcos regime,” the petitioners said. –

  72. vic vic

    I have a question that maybe “stupid” but give it a try anyway. If you’re a Pilipino ACTIVIST and you believe you can accomplish your mission notwithstanding the place where you are situated, but given only two choices, which you believe you’ll be much safer at this moment in time-in the Philippine or in Lebanon?

    About the New Intel Dual Core Technology, now it comes in most Dell computer products and it comes with a 60 days tryout of McAfee Anti virus products. The tech sheet just explained that it has 2 processors, and means a litte faster than the current hyper threading single processor.
    Well, after a year I don’t know much about p.c. yet and I have to bribe my teenage niece with my first P.C. (the laptop) to give me a few lesson, but after exactly 15 minutes she gave up. Now she’s back to CA with my laptop and may have found out that I spied on her “space”, and today I found out that I was “blocked” access to her Blog. What a niece and I love her very MUCH, but she’s hinting “about the separation of Uncle and Niece”, when it comes to blogging and I respect Her for that…

  73. Toney,thanks for your concern.

    I don’t allow Gloria Arroyo or anybody for that matter to prevent me from living the life that I want. I want a life of honesty. That includes upholding what I think is the truth.

    If that makes some people uncomfortable, that’s their problem.

  74. That’s a sweet touch – you and your niece, Vic.

    As to your question: I think if your are a Filipino activist, you would be safer in Lebanon. As long as you are not hit by a stray missile, there is no Palparan who would seek you out and torture you.

  75. jorgie jorgie

    Anna, hinahanap mo ba ako? Ikaw lang ang nakakaalala sa akin. Pause muna ako dahil bumalik na iyong kaibigan mo. Baka makabanggaan ko na naman at pati iba madamay. Mahal ko ang grupong ito kaya paminsan-minsan ako na lang ang magsasakripisyo kahit kating-kati ang mga daliri ko sa pagsulat.

    I enjoyed reading all your comments especially the exhanges between Ellen and our Japanese friend.

    Speaking of evacuation, ang unang dapat ma-evacuate ang lahat ng taga-Malacanang. Kapag wala nang tao at si Pandak na lang ang natitira doon, bombahin na ang Palasyo!

  76. Emilio_OFW Emilio_OFW

    Maraming salamat, Yuko, sa paalaala. Maganda naman ang evacuation plan ng aking kumpanya na noon pang 1990-1991 Gulf War ginawa. Detalyado ang pagka-plano at mayroon mga marshalls na naka-assign sa bawa’t district na sila ang mag-account sa kanilang mga members. Mayroon din nakahantabay na mga bus sa terminal at nagkabit ng mga sirens sa mga gusali upang madaling marinig ng mga empleyado ang panganib na darating kapag ang mga sirens ay tumunog.

    Samantalang ang pamahalaan ni Pandak ay hindi alam ngayon ang gagawin sa mahigit na 30 thousand OFWs sa Lebanon kung papaano i-evacuate. Nasaan ang OWWA funds na dapat gamitin sa mga ganitong pagkakataon?

  77. Frankly, nakaaway ko ang isang labor attache sa Tokyo in the early 90’s when I found out that he had a dummy agency that recruited workers to Lebanon when the situation there was still dangerous because of the conflict with both Israel and Syria.

    I found that out when I met the wife of the labor attache who was running his agency and she was here to apply for the visas of the Filipinos they were deploying to Lebanon because there was no Lebanese embassy in Manila but in Tokyo.

    I was very furious and I criticized it. At that time, I was working as a special correspondent for a newly organized news agency in Manila, and so I tried to expose the activities of the said attache, including his part in the increase of overstaying Filipinos in Japan.

    Ganyan katindi ang bugawan diyan sa DoLE, but the worse thing is this negligence that we see now. Not only negligence but kagaguhan! Yabang ng yabang wala namang magawa.

    Saan na iyong ipinagmamalaki ni Pandak na kita daw ng mga OFWs? Bakit hindi niya gastusin para wala nang mamamatay kahit sino sa kanila. Tama na iyong isa na minalas!

    Nakakakulo ng dugo!

  78. jorgie jorgie

    I’ve always been saying that the US and RP have secret deals. Despite this fake president’s abuse and corruption, the US looks the other way because of some hidden negotiations. To let her continue in office and prevent her ouster, she has to give in to Uncle Sam’s demands whatever those may be. But one thing is certain, the US has a very hight stake in America’s security and interest in the region. With North Korea’s threat and other troubles in other parts of the world, RP has become one of the most preferred military places. Let’s hope that RP would not become another Afghanistan and Lebanon.

    RP, US troops to train in Central Mindanao

    By Anthony Vargas, Reporter

    FILIPINO and American officials plan to stage bigger training exercises between their military forces, including one in Central Mindanao, the heartland of Muslim secessionist rebels and Islamic terrorists.

    Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz Jr. said the joint exercises, dubbed “Kapit-Bisig” (Linked Arms), would cover nontra­ditional threats such as counterterrorism, transnational crime, pandemics and natural disasters.

    “Kapit-Bisig,” which will also include humanitarian missions, will be the first of a series of activities to be held under the newly formed Security Engagement Board between the Philippines and the US.

  79. Anna:

    We don’t say UPD, we say UP Diliman or UP Cebu or UP Los Banos. Never heard of UPD as a matter of fact. Diyan mo mahuhuli ang mga hindi taga-UP!

  80. Spartan Spartan

    Welcome back to the “circle” ystakei!!! :-D…going back to the topic about the two UP female students…I myself is really “furious” to what happened to them. Especially to the pregnant one…these “mad dogs” of gloria are only “good” in “harassing and torturing” civilians. Because of these “acts” by gloria’s “armed goons” which is the AFP, the question of “when would we stop from being lambs for the slaughter?”. SOBRA NA, LABAN NA!!!

  81. Para kasing wala nang pakialam ang karamihan ng mga kababayan natin, kaya nangyayari ang ganitong situwasyon.
    This sense of apathy among Pinoys appears to have made gloria and her cohorts bolder. Like it or not, Pilipinas is under martial rule, medyo tamer version nga lang at hindi halata. Just look at the spate of kilings among media practitioners, and those hacking of blogs and anti-gma protesters like what yuko and anna have experienced….Hindi ba pagkitil na yan sa kalayaan? Look at the 2 UP students who have remained missing as of late…..Goodness, hanggang kailan ba ito!??

  82. Ellen,

    My provider also had to reconfigure something. And they advised me to always run a scan for viruses and keep my anti-virus updated.

    Vic,

    I’ve heard of this dual core and Mac was the first to use it. Must cost a fortune here. I guess I’ll be stuck with my reliable 1.7 Celeron for a few more months. If you’re using XP Pro for your OS, try not to update it too often, there are glitches in their SP packs. I reverted to SP 2 to keep my favorite sites working.

  83. E-mail from Masha:

    Dear Ellen,

    I emailed to friends Inq’s news report yesterday. I added a personal comment culled form a bumper sticker which a friend mentioned he saw in the states in reference to Bush’s myriad kapalpakan — “If you’re not appalled then you’re not paying attention”. I think this applies to us, too.

    By the way, re: blog access problems, I wouldnt put it past GMA and her ilk to retain hackers to attack unfriendly websites. Just a thought.

  84. nelbar nelbar

    vic:

    sana hindi na makarating dyan sa North America ang salitang “bribe”. Nakakababa ng tingin yan para sa akin.

    jorgie:
    “I’ve always been saying that the US and RP have secret deals” ~~jorgie
    alam mo na siguro kung sino ang ‘protector of the people and the state’?
    saan sa palagay mo ang loyalty ng sinasabi ko na ‘protector of the people and the state’?

    Emilio_OFW:

    Noong 1991, may pinsan ako na nurse dyan sa Northern Saudi Arabia. Kwento nya sa amin noon na meron mga member na French army na nagsasakit-sakitan para lang ma-confine sa hospital at makakita ng mga Filipina nurses. Iyong iba mahilig mambola.

    taipan88:

    “Para kasing wala nang pakialam ang karamihan ng mga kababayan natin” ~~taipan
    subukan mong papuntahin ang mga Pinoy sa Wowowee, ‘mabilis pa sa alas kwatro’ yan!mukha talagang pera ang mga pinoy!
    pati na rin ang mga balikbayan, pinamumukha nila na mga ganid talaga sa pera/dolyar ang mga pinoy!
    buwisit!

  85. Spartan Spartan

    taipan88 Says:

    July 20th, 2006 at 11:22 am

    ….Hindi ba pagkitil na yan sa kalayaan? Look at the 2 UP students who have remained missing as of late…..Goodness, hanggang kailan ba ito!??

    taipan88, tama ang tanong mo…HANGGANG KAILAN MAGIGING MAAMONG TUPA ANG MAMAMAYANG PILIPINO NA “KINAKATAY” NA LAMANG NG WALANG IMIK??? Ang kailangan talagang gawin ay LUMABAS NA SA KALYE ANG LAHAT NG AYAW NA KAY GLORIA…LAHAT…BATA, MATANDA, PARI, MADRE, BAKLA, TOMBOY, BULAG, PIPI, PILAY…BASTA LAHAT…NGAYON KAPAG HUMARANG ANG MGA “ASO” NI PANDAK(pnp, sundalo, kahit si mike defensor pa), DIRETSO MARTSA…KAPAG NAMPUKPOK, NANG-TEAR GAS ANG MGA P.I., GAMITAN NG TAUMBAYAN NG BATO…KAPAG NAGPAPUTOK NA NG BARIL AT MAY NAMATAY SA HANAY NG MGA SIBILYAN…DUON NA MATATAPOS ANG MALILIGAYANG ARAW NI gloria…LAHAT NG MAMAMATAY NATING KABABAYAN IPAGPATAYO NG REBULTO…BAYANI SILA, ITONG si gloria at mga “alipores” niya, HULIHIN, LITISIN, at BITAYIN…now taipan, can you “picture” the “scenario” I am talking about? I think this is the “only answer” to your “question”.

  86. Spartan Spartan

    Ma’m Ellen, pagpaumanhinan mo if my “comments” lately are becoming “vulgar”, “strong”, could even be considered “seditious”…it’s just that I am now “arriving to a point” that “talking, or writing things against gloria” would not “work”. as seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years are passing by, she and all the BAD THINGS she represents are still around. Hindi siya kasing “lambot” ng mukha ni Erap, na matapos “tumanggap” ng kabi-kabilang “pagbatikos” at “alipusta” sa taumbayan nuon, ay lumisan sa “palasyo” na simbolo ng kapangyarihan. Itong si gloria, matatandaan na “nagpahiwatig” pa na kung “mapapa-alis” sa Malakanyang ay “magtatayo daw siya” ng Malakanyang sa Cebu o Iloilo…ganuon ka-determinado ang PUT!^*^!# ito na “humawak” sa puwesto. when I commented that I was “furious” to what happened to this two UP students, I know deep in me that I am indeed “deeply angry”, playing the “WHAT IF” things in my mind. Lahat ng “atrocities” ni gloria at ng kaniyang mga “galamay” sa ngayon, kasama na ang mga sundalo at kapulisan, ay dapat wakasan na at magkaruon ng KAPARUSAHAN na ANGKOP para sa KANILA. Panahon na na ipakita ng TAUMBAYAN sa mga susunod pang “mamumuno” sa pamahalaan na kapag “sinundan” nila ang yapak nina marcos, ramos, erap, at higit sa lahat ni gloria…KAMATAYAN ang sasapitin nila. Dahil kung hindi “mamatay si gloria, o si mike arroyo, o si raul gonzales, si esperon, atkahit na si mike defensor…sa kamay ng TAUMBAYAN…uulitin lamang ng SINUMANG SUSUNOD na MANUNUNGKULAN ang LAHAT NG KAWALANGHIYAAN NA GINAWA NA NG MGA UNANG NAMUNO NA ITO. Panahon na upang isipin natin na itigil na ang “KA-IPOKRITUHAN” sa ating LIPUNAN. Nang “lantarang” patayin ni gloria at ng kaniyang “mga alagad” ang “proseso ng demokrasya”, where it is the only TIME that the poor could really be equal to the rich of the rich…that the “Indays” of FORBES and BEL-AIR thru their “votes” can be equal to the “Ayalas”. Hindi pa siya nagkasya duon, sapagka’t nilason at pinatay na rin niya ang senado, konggreso, at maging ang mga korte. Kapag ang isang tao ay sumigaw o hindi man ay tahimik na nakasuot lamang ng damit na nagsasaad ng “pagbatikos”, ay kaagad nang dinadampot, dinudukot, pinahihirapan, at pinapatay. The LAW is ONLY ON THEIR SIDE, hindi na totoo na PANTAY-PANTAY ang BATAS diyan sa ating bansa. Ngayon, dito naman sa mga binabansagang CPP-NPA, o mga Magdalo, wala rin SILANG SILBI…inutil din sila, sapagka’t hanggang sa ngayon ay WALA SILANG TUNAY NA AKSONG NAGAGAWA O GINAGAWA UPANG SOLUSYUNAN ANG “PANGGAGAHASA” NI gloria at ng kaniyang mga galamay. Kaya’t TAYO MGA KABABAYAN, TAYO LAMANG ANG PUPUWEDENG MAGPABAGO SA KASALUKUYANG ESTADO NG ATING INANG BAYAN.

  87. Funny, Ellen, that I cannot access your blog in my other computer. I’m using the one I reinstalled yesterday after putting my files in another hard disks. Of course, scanned lahat ang ini-save ko.

    I’m doing the same procedure in that computer that still says your blog cannot be accessed.

    Ang tindi ng hacker na ito. Buti na lang may alam naman tayo kahit papaano sa computing. Nakaka-fix nga ako ng computer sa totoo lang. No bragging. Tiyaga lang.

    What I did was buy a computer, binaklas ko to upgrade the OS, and then later, I made my own PC pero mas mahal ang inabot, but it was a good experience. Natoto ako ng paggawa ng PC!

    Now, I just buy a new one pag may bagong model. Affordable naman kasi. Iyong isang PC ko nga 500 dollars lang ang halaga, 250 GB pa ang HD. Binili ko sa Costco sa Chiba dito. Iyong mga luma ko nga napadala na sa Pilipinas and distributed to the needy.

    Pero itong ginagawa ng brigade ni Pandak talaga naman! Dapat alisin ang ganyang destructive na ugali. Dito ang gumagawa niyan kundi Yakuza (criminals) ay maysira sa ulo lang!

  88. Nelbar:

    Iyong sinasabi mong masamang ugali ng pilipino is a matter of discipline and training in discipline. Nakakagulat talaga kung sasanayin mo ang sarili mong maging iba para matino ka. Iyan ang dahilan in fact kung bakit ayaw kong bumalik sa Pilipinas.

    I can leave in comfort there kahit na hindi ako tumira sa Japan o sa Amerika. It’s the peace of mind, heart and soul that counts as a matter of fact.

    Noong 1973, I went to the Philippines after a long absence. Bata pa lang kasi ako nang umalis diyan so in a way na-hugis pa ng ibang kultura kaya nang pumunta ako diyan, parang nagkaroon ako ng cultural shock. For the first time, I realized na ubod pala ng yabang at hambug ang mga pilipino, at least ang karamihan, at ang mga tao ay nabubuhay sa yabang lang.

    The other day, someone in this blog mentioned about the malls there getting filled up with people, and the Pandak took advantage of gauging her economic policies as successful on the numbers of people taking their strolls in the malls. Gago din di ba? Papaano niyang sasabihin improved economy e hindi naman kaya ng mga windowshoppers sa totoo lang ang tinda! Kaya iyong karamihan nandiyan sa mall para mag-snatch ng pitaka at bumili ng gusto nila para makapagyabang lang! Tama ba ang observation ko?

    Dito bumaba ang presyo para magkaroon ng buying power ang mga consumers at maka-recover ang economy. Sa totoo lang, ang laki ng savings ko nitong 2 or 3 years gawa ng mababa ang presyo ng mga tindang binibili ko kahit hindi bargain. Gulat nga ang mga kapatid ko sa States doon sa mga magaganda kong pasalubong na hindi sila makapaniwalang ganoon kamura!

    Golly, sa Pilipinas ang laki pa ng EVAT e wala namang income na malaki ang mga tao. Kaya tignan mo ang mga batang pilipino, hindi makapasok ng eskuwela. Makapasok man, hindi pala pinapakuha ng exam kapag hindi makabayad ng matrikula. Gosh, ni walang welfare! Hindi mo malaman tuloy kung sinasadya para magpa-recruit sila bilang mga wannabe prostitute ngayon sa Korea, etc.!

    PATALSIKIN NA, NOW NA! TAMA SI GOLDENLION, ET AL, SNAP ELECTION NA!

    Meanwhile, huwag kalimutan ang kaso ni JotJot Bolate! Ipaglaban din ang mga karapatan ng mga estudyante ipaglaban ang kanilang mga karapatang magsalita laban sa isang magnanakaw ng mga boto!

    Dito, bumaba

  89. Oops, sorry, but this should read: “I can LIVE in comfort there kahit na hindi ako tumira sa Japan o sa Amerika. It’s the peace of mind, heart and soul that counts as a matter of fact THAT TURNS ME OFF ABOUT GOING BACK THERE. Besides, pihadong malungkot because ang mayroon lang diyan ay mga material things like the lands we own, etc. pero family, real friends, etc. WALA NA LALO PA NGAYONG PALPAK ANG PAMAHALAAN LED BY A MAGNANAKAW NA SINUNGALING PA!

  90. One story I love to read and watch (I got a documentary on video) is that of a young boy in Hamburg, Germany who established his own resistance group against Hitler. It’s called “When Truth Was Treason” that has some similarity to the kind of resistance of many Filipinos of today like the resistance of the Magdalos or the UP students who have gone missing!

    It is a the story of a pure-blooded German with no Jewish blood, but who, as a Christian, felt uneasy about Hitler’s cruelty toward the Jews. He was executed in fact for his idealisms, and religious beliefs, but his memory now lingers with a memorial built for him by the Jews who remembered those who died for what they believed in at Hamburg where it all happened.

    The name of this German boy was HELMUTH HUBENER. When he was sentenced to die and Hitler did not hesitate to have him executed immediately, and was asked to speak for the last time, he said, “It does not matter if you misjudge and kill me. I know God will be my better judge!”

    Those fighting this despotic rule of the criminally inclined can probably quote him—that God will judge them better, even better than what the criminally inclined now says about God being kinder to her, which in a way is true, but distorted when uttered by her!

    I recommend it to all to search and read the life of this 17-year-old hero of WWII. I have tried to emulate his examples as a matter of fact. It will be good to know that there is always an end to all kinds of cruelties and abuses especially when they mean curtailing the free agencies that God, in His Infinite Wisdom, has granted His spiritual children to nourish and enjoy.

  91. Yehey! We’re all back in business. Now its Ricky Carandang’s site I can’t access. We as parents must teach our young the right virtues and values.

    Yuko,

    The killings have escalated. Latest news reports stated that 3 missing activist students from PUP were killed along with insurgents somewhere in Isabela. But some sources doubt the military after action report. Unidentified witnesses say the 3 were dumped there along with suspected rebels. They are now going after helpless and poor students. What has this country headed to? A lot of wasted lives all for the sake of power and greed.

  92. With Esperon’s leadership, expect a more ruthless military who shoot first and ask questions later. We can throw all semblance of human rights out the window.

  93. “Latest news reports stated that 3 missing activist students from PUP were killed along with insurgents somewhere in Isabela.” This is not right. How can Gloria sleep at night?

    “We can throw all semblance of human rights out the window.” I agree. Esperon will move heaven and earth to please Gloria and to prove something to the nation so in the hope that his Garci episode is forgotten. He’s a fool if he thinks the nation will forget his crime.

  94. “Latest news reports stated that 3 missing activist students from PUP were killed along with insurgents somewhere in Isabela.” This is not right. How can Gloria sleep at night?

    “We can throw all semblance of human rights out the window.” I agree. Esperon will move heaven and earth to please Gloria and to prove something to the nation in the hope that his Garci episode is forgotten. He’s a fool if he thinks the nation will forget his crime.

  95. Just peeping in between sleep. Oh that expression “Oh dear!,” it reminds me of good old England! Love the “Lovely,” too!

    Tangna si Pandak! Nakipag-alembungan muna sa mga heneral na sipsip samantalang nagkakagulo na nga tungkol sa mga OFW sa Lebanon.

    Now, they are saying that Sri Lanka has 94,000 domestic helpers in Lebanon and the embassy people there are frantically looking for them. Those they track down are told to come to the Sri Lanka embassy, and immediately being evacuated. 400 daw na na-evacuate na.

    Bakit hindi iyan magaya ng mga mayayabang na tuta ni Pandak? Iyong Sri-Lanka embassy hindi nila tinataboy ang mga kababayan nila kung saan-saan. Lahat pinapupunta sa pasuguan nila.

    Ito namang mga pilipino, natural malilito dahil wala naman kiber ang embassy nila. Kaya siguro sabi ng karamihan, “”Bahala na lang! Patay kung patay. Kung mabuhay, salamat. Kundi, salamat pa rin!!!

    Kawawa naman! Back to sleep! Oyasumi nasai!

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