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Author: Ellen

As public figure, Mike Arroyo is fair game

Published by Ellen on September 23, 2006

This is the release of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines on the forum on libel it organized last Thursday:

Contrary to what his lawyers are saying, First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo is a public figure and will have to prove actual malice in order for his numerous libel suits against journalists to prosper.

This is what human rights lawyer Theodore Te said during a roundtable discussion this morning held at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City. Agreeing with him were more than 35 journalists, some of whom are defendants in Arroyo’s libel suits, as well several UP journalism students.

Continue readingAs public figure, Mike Arroyo is fair game

Esperon pelted with eggs at UP

Published by Ellen on September 23, 2006

This is Malaya’s account of the egg-and- mud-pelting of AFP Chief Hermogenes Esperon at UP Friday.

What happened to Esperon is a form of “social boycott” that the citizens of this country, outraged by Gloria Arroyo and her minion’s blatant trampling of our democracy, are resorting to. It happened to Gloria Arroyo at the Cavite State University when Maria Theresa Pangilinan booed her during the commencement exercises. It happened again at the UP-PGH when students unfurled “Oust Gloria” banner when she inaugurated the Opthalmologic Center.

Esperon, like his master, Gloria Arroyo, must must grown callous or have become out-of-touch of the people that they thought with their powers they can run roughshod on the people’s sensitivities.

Continue readingEsperon pelted with eggs at UP

Thaksin’s fate unlikely to befall Arroyo

Published by Ellen on September 22, 2006

By Yvonne T. Chua
INQ7.net

IS PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in danger of being ousted in a military coup the way Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was last Tuesday?

It’s unlikely for now for at least two reasons. Filipinos are strongly attached to democratic values and traditions. Plus, they’re more scared of the military than of Arroyo.

That’s the prognosis of University of the Philippines-based political scientist Jorge Tigno who co-authored with Social Weather Stations’ Linda Luz Guerrero a recent study that looked into the staying power of three highly unpopular heads of state: Arroyo, Thaksin and US President George Bush.

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Envious of Thais

Published by Ellen on September 21, 2006

There was a part of the account of the first hours of the coup in Thailand in the wee hours of Sept. 20 that reminded me of the 1986 coup staged by then Defense Secretary Juan Ponce-Enrile and then AFP vice-chief of staff Fidel Ramos.

Reuters account of the coup staged by Thai Army chief Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratglin against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said, “Thaksin, who was in New York at the UN General Assembly, apparently tried to head off the putsch by phoning a Thai television station to announce a state of emergency but was cut off after 10 minutes.”

Thaksin was never put on the air.

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Bolante update

Published by Ellen on September 21, 2006

This is the latest from Harry Roque:

A status hearing was held yesterday, 20 September 2006 in Milwaukee on Bolante’s Habeas corpus petition. Bolantes lawyer insisted on a hearing, while the US OSG maintained that no hearing was necessary since the pleadings contain all relevant factual and legal issues. We are awaiting word on what happened to that hearing.

We have, however, been furnished copies of the latest pleadings consisting of the response of Condelizza Rice and the reply thereto of Bolante. The salient points are:

In Condi’s answer, she said that the detention of an arriving alien without a visa is a lawful basis for detention. Likewise, she asserted that Bolante is not entitled to bail as an arriving alien subject to exclusion proceeding.

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34 Years Since Martial Law, Despotism Still Reigns

Published by Ellen on September 21, 2006

The following article by Carlos Conde first appeared in Davao Today.

Conde says: “The similarities of the atrocities during martial law and today are chilling. Hooded men knocking down doors and dragging out victims in the dead of night. Assassins on motorcycles. Killers shooting victims in cold blood, often in close range. Anguished relatives looking for answers and, most important of all, justice.”

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Coup jitters

Published by Ellen on September 20, 2006

I just came in from Cebu where I participated in the Cebu Press Freedom Week celebration. I’ll report about it later.

I woke up this morning to a CNN report about a coup in Thailand. Everybody I talked with in the Cebu forum remarked, “Nakakainggit naman ang Thailand.”

Malacañang and the military officials’ protestations that a similar coup won’t happen here betray their nervousness. As Shakespeare said, “The lady protests too much.”

Anyway, here’s Malaya’s report on reactions in Manila:

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No deal

Published by Ellen on September 18, 2006

Nanginginig na siguro ang tumbong nitong si Gloria at Mike Arroyo sa alok ni Jocjoc Bolante na “kumanta” basta ibalik lang ang kanyang U.S. visa.

Natatakot na rin siguro ang mga opisyal ng pamahalaan at iba pang mga kampon ni Gloria Arroyo na may warrant of arrest sa Senado dahil sa nangyayari ngayon kay Bolante.

Katulad nitong mga opisyal ng PCGG (Presidential Commission on Good Government). Hindi sila makapagtrabaho dahil ayaw nila mahuli ng mga security officers ng Senado. Tago sila ng tago. Anong klaseng buhay yan?

Continue readingNo deal