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Author: Ellen

MVP’s embarrassing moment

MVP
MVP
While the Christian world was recollecting the martyrdom of Jesus Christ, telecommunications super executive Manuel V. Pangilinan was experiencing his own calvary.

He admitted to having committed plagiarism.

Plagiarism is defined in online dictionaries as “to commit literary theft: present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source.”

If it were any ordinary person committing plagiarism, it would not be news. We would not be writing about it. But it’s MVP, the Filipino’s personifaction of success in business where trust and honesty are prime commodities.

The plagiarism happened on March 27, when he addressed the graduates at the Ateneo School of Humanities & School of Social Sciences. His speech was inspiring. He talked about learning from failure which everyone would surely have his in life, learning to take care of one’s body, sharing one’s blessings, gratitude, and friendship.

Kalbaryo ni Cielo sa DFA

Update, April 5, 2010: I just got this text message from Ed Malaya, DFA spokesman:

“The DFA OUMWA office has initiated an internal investigation on the complaints aired by Cielo Corcuera.

“Initial findings indicate that the documents pertaining to the last salary and death benefits of Arlin Bello we acted upon but inadvertently sent to the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi and not to the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai, UAE, its inrended destination.

“The DFA will undertake corrective measures to ensure that this and similar snafus do not happen again in the future.”

Noong Miyerkoles, may nagpadala sa akin nitong email tungkol sa kalbaryo ng isang nangangalang Cielo Corcuera sa kanyang pag-follow up ng claim ng isang Overseas Filipino Worker.

Si Cielo ay sumulat kay Alex Bello na nasa Saudi Arabia tungkol sa kanilang claim para sa huling sueldo at benefits ni Arlin V. Bello na namatay noong Agosto 2009 sa Dubai, United Emirates. Kapatid ni Alex si Arlin.

Sabi ni Cielo magbabayad lamang daw ang kumpanya na pinagtrabahuan ni Arlin na Al Shola Driving School sa Sharjah, UAE kapag naipresenta ang Authenticated Certificate of Heirship at Authenticated Special Power of Attorney nag bibigay ng permiso kay Consul General Benito Valeriano na magtanggap ng kabayaran.

Our thanks

Former Foreign Secretary Roberto Romulo
Former Foreign Secretary Roberto Romulo
by Roberto R. Romulo

Filipino World View
The Philippine Star

The nation owes a debt of gratitude to three individuals: Delia Albert, Domingo L. Siazon Jr. and Antonio “Tony Boy” Cojuangco. Both Ambassadors Albert and Siazon were career foreign service officers who became Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Ms. Albert (a replacement has been announced) and Jun Siazon (co-terminus with President Arroyo) are ambassadors to Germany and Japan, respectively. They have been outstanding ambassadors. Whoever replaces them will have a hard act to follow.

On the other hand, Tony Boy has been chairman of the Museum of the Filipino People since the time of President Fidel V. Ramos. As chairman for the last 12 years, he has been exemplary in the management of the museum and sustained in his financial support. His leadership will be sorely missed by everyone who, as I do, value this important institution.

Liberal Party presses alarm bells

It’s very much delayed, but it’s better late than never.

The Liberal party has joined expressions of concern on the automated elections, which have been aired by the Concerned Citizens Movement since last year when it questioned the legality of the Comelec-Smartmatic nationwide automation contract.

VERA Files’ Tessa Jamandre reports on the event. Click here (VERA Files):

Aquino’s remarks:

Holding Arroyo responsible for the Ampatuans

The dismissal by a Quezon City judge of the rebellion case against Maguindanao governor Datu Andal Ampatuan Sr, his son, ARMM governor Zaldy Ampatuan and 22 others should strengthen the case filed by relatives of journalists who were among those killed in the November 23 massacre before the ASEAN Intergovernmental Human Rights Commission (AICHR).

Nov 23 massacre
Nov 23 massacre
The journalists’ relatives are holding the Arroyo government responsible for the Nov. 23 carnage. In their suit filed last February, the relatives said “Clearly, all of those responsible for the carnage are agents of the Philippine State. Their acts in connection with the 23 November 2009 Maguindanao massacre are attributable under international law to the Republic of the Philippines.”

This week, three of the petitioners, Glen Salaysay, son of Cotabato City journalist Napoleon Salaysay, Noemi Parcon, wife of Koronadal City journalist Joel Parcon, and Feulen Sumagang, cousin of UNTV reporter Julito Evardo, were in Jakarta, where the AICHR is based, to follow up on their suit accompanied by their lawyer, Harry Roque of the CenterLaw Philippines.

They were most disgusted to find out that the Arroyo government has taken the stand that the Maguindanao massacre that has shocked the world and earned for the Philippines the distinction of being the most dangerous place for members of media is “a domestic legal issue” and international human rights bodies have no business meddling in.