Author: Ellen

Yano to Marcelino: “Stay on the side of truth”

Published by Ellen on January 9, 2009

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff General Alexander Yano called to his office a Marine officer who exposed the alleged bribery in the so-called “Alabang Boys” case, advising him to stay “on the side of the truth,” the military’s spokesman said.

During a 15-minute meeting in Camp Aguinaldo, Yano also warned Major Ferdinand Marcelino, who is detailed to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), against groups with “vested interest” that might take advantage of him, Lieutenant Colonel Ernesto Torres Jr., AFP public affairs office chief, said.

“The advice of the chief of staff [to Marcelino] is to always be on the side of the truth and preserve his moral courage…and lastly, to be wary of some groups with vested interest who may take advantage of the situation,” Torres said.

Malacañang frantic to stop Marcelino

Published by Ellen on January 8, 2009

Update: Zuño asks for relief of his illegal drugs task force saying they cannot anymore work under a cloud of doubt.

maj-marcelino The public should watch out for Malacañang’s attempts to smother the expose on the involvement of justice officials in illegal drugs.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez tried to do that during last Wednesday hearing at the House Committee on dangerous drugs when he attempted to turn the table on Marine Major Ferdinand Marcelino, head of the Special Enforcement Service of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency blaming him for not arresting on the spot the the one who offered PDEA bribe in exchange for dropping the case against Richard Brodett, Jorge Joseph, and Joseph Tecson, in their early ’20s and from well-to-do families.

It is in this context that we are wary about the statement of Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro to review the assignment of military personnel in civilian agencies in connection with the important role that Marcelino played in the expose of the rot in the Department of Justice.

Ang kalakaran sa DOJ

Published by Ellen on January 7, 2009

Sa paglilibre ni Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez ang sarili sa kaso nitong “Alabang Boys”, kailangan niya ilalaglag ang kanyang mga tauhan.

Kunwari pina-imbistigahan niya ang napabalitang suhulan sa pagpalaya sa mga “Alabang boys” na sina Richard Brodett, Jorge Joseph and Joseph Tecson. Ngunit binira rin niya ang Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency lalo pa si Maj. Ferdinand Marcelino kung bakit raw hindi hinuli ang nagtangkang sumuhol sa kanila.

Si Marcelino pa ang may kasalanan. Pambihirang buhay naman ito.

Sinabi ni Marcelino na binigay niya ang ibang detalya ng tangkang panunuhol sa executive session ng committee ay iyon ay confidential. Sinasabi ni Marcelino na madali lang sabihin na “bakit hindi mo hinuli, bakit hindi kayo ng entrapment operation” ngunit hindi madali yun.

‘Release Order” prepared by drug suspects’ lawyer

Published by Ellen on January 7, 2009

Droga sa administrasyong Arroyo

Published by Ellen on January 5, 2009

Hindi ako nagulat sa balita na may mga opisyal si Gloria Arroyo na sangkot sa pagpalaya ng mga personalidad na dawit sa paglalako ng droga.

Ipinangalanan ni Maj. Ferdinand Marcelino, hepe ng Special Enforcement Service ng Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, si Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor na siyang tumawag sa kanya para i-release sina Richard Brodett, Jorge Joseph, at Joseph Tecson na nahulihan na may dalang marijuana, Ecstasy at cocaine noong Septiembre.

May resolusyon na kasi ang Department of Justice na napirmahan ni State Prosecutor John Resado na inirekomenda naman ni Senior State Prosecutor Philip I. Kimpo na aprubahan at inaprubahan naman ni Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuño.

The emerging power of blogs

Published by Ellen on January 4, 2009

Although not yet in the scale that blogs in the United States and South Korea influence national issues, the emerging power of blogs in the Philippines got affirmation in the appeal of Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman to the public, “especially the bloggers” to stop vilifying his family over the Valley Golf Glub.

A blog, by the way, is short for “web log”. It’s a personal website. The owner of the blog can write anything that he wants to express in his cyber space.

Last December 26, golfer Bambee de la Paz wrote in her blog that earlier in the day, his 56-year old father, Delfin, and 14-year old brother,Bino were beaten “to a pulp” by Mayor Nasser Pangandaman,Jr and his bodyguards while the father, who was re-appointed by Gloria Arroyo three days earlier as member of the peace panel in the negotiation with Muslim rebels, looked on.

Gloria Arroyo clutching at straws

Published by Ellen on January 4, 2009

This story shows how desperate Gloria Arroyo and her drumbeaters are.

On Jan. 2, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza issued this statement:

“It’s encouraging to note that we have been cited in Bloomberg today, as one of the resilient economies in Asia, along with China. Amidst global financial downturn, we continue to post strong currency and fiscal position. Undeniably, this is the result of the economic reforms instituted by the President early on.

While difficult days are expected ahead, we are in a better position to weather them as long as we keep the course and resist the temptation of divisive politics.

The Philippines and China were being cited as the two Asian economies that fared the best in 2008 and that will do well in 2009.

The following story by TJ Burgonio and Maxim Lucas is in the Inquirer today:

Looking for Aiko

Published by Ellen on January 3, 2009

I read this in the Facebook wall of my friend Jojo Terencio. I called up the number listed in the entry and talked with Aiko’s mother, Amie. She said Aiko, 24, works at Techno Park.

He was supposed to meet someone at about 3:30 p.m of Dec. 4 at a corner not far away from their house. He rode on his motorcycle. That was the last time they saw him. She talked with the person he was to meet and found out that, that person decided not to come that day.

They found Aiko’s motorcycle but not him.

Amie suspects that “napag-tripan” by some gangs.

She is appealing to those who might be able to help them find Aiko. This is Aiko’s picture.
small-aiko-ludovico-copy

Following is the family’s appeal:

December 28, 2008

For everyone,

It’s been so hard for all of us losing our brother Obet, but what made it worst is losing our nephew Aiko. He’s been missing since Dec. 4, 2008 and until now we have no leads or news. His motorcycle was found in one of the corner street near to our place. Our youngest brother Allan tried to call Aiko on his cell phone but no answer. Our family were working with proper authorities to investigate this very serious matter.

Aiko is a very good son and not into drugs or involved in any criminal wrong doings.

This is not a joke and yet there are some very cruel people of texting my brother making a prankster joke, trying to get some money or sending text that really for us is like a mental and emotional torture. Why do we have to go through these, why can’t other people instead of sending nasty text to send supportive text messages like will pray for Aiko’s safety and for the family.

A mother finally got to embrace her son

Published by Ellen on January 2, 2009

Col. Ariel Querubin, who has been in detention for almost three years, was allowed to be with his 87-year old mother on her birthday on New Year’s day in their place in La Union. A friend who was there wrote to me the heartwarming reunion of the Medal of Valor awardee with his mother.

col-querubin-with-mom

I had a very good reflection about hope and family this New Year. For the first time, I celebrated New Year out of town with a very special family. And the experience gave me a chance to reflect about how my mother had been spending Christmasses away from us for 10 years now. How she must have longed to come home. Oh how I missed her now. Let me then share with you, a new year’s story about a mother and son that I will never forget…

Congratulations to the 10 best OFW/Expat blogs

Published by Ellen on January 1, 2009

Congratulations to the winners of the Best Blogs in 2008 by OFW or Expat.

Congratulations too to the organizers. It’s a laudable project and should be sustained.

TEN BEST EXPATS/OFW BLOG in 2008

1.Writing on Air, Australia
by Jim Paredes

Voted 7 times to the Top 10, twice as No. 1, three times as No. 2, and twice again as No. 3.
As per the judges verdict,
His blog is No. 1 in the BLOG CONTENT
No. 1 in the Blog Element
No. 2 in the Visibility and Metrics
No. 4 in the Voting/Popularity category
and
No 1 in the Over All Judges Pick

Some of judges’ notes:

“Meaningful and inspiring posts” “Brings out pride in being Filipino” “Writing on Air has depth and substance. Jim’s blog is brilliant and inspiring. His take on issues around the world and as well as personal experiences are culturally enriching as a Filipino. The lay-out and design is clean.”