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Category: Governance

Kris’ unspoken message: Arroyo not welcome

Published by Ellen on August 3, 2009

Her silence was so eloquent, the audience got the message clearly.

Kris Aquino-Yap, the celebrity youngest daughter of former President Corazon Aquino, was asked yesterday by ABS-CBN entertainment reporter Mario Dumaual if Gloria Arroyo would be welcomed if she came to the wake of their mother, now at the Manila Cathedral.

She kept quiet for about six seconds, which seemed eternity on TV. Then she said, “That’s a very difficult question.”

Pressed for an answer, she begged off saying, “Huwag mo na ako pilitin. Baka may masabi pa akong hindi maganda. (Please don’t compel me (to answer). I might say something not good.)

Continue readingKris’ unspoken message: Arroyo not welcome

Why the Aquinos declined state funeral for Cory

Published by Ellen on August 2, 2009

Photos by Angelica Katheryn Carballo:

cory-wake-1 cory-wake-2 cory-wake3

We caught up with the live interview of Kris Aquino by Boy Abunda at La Salle Greenhills where the wake of the woman dubbed as “icon of democracy” is being held.

Too bad that Boy interrupted Kris at the point when she was relating the conversation with a Malacañang representative who offered a state funeral for the former president and Malacañang as venue of the wake, which the Aquino family declined.

Kris said the family decided that she be the one to meet with the Malacañang representative,because if it would be her brother, opposition senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, it would be difficult not have it mixed up with partisan politics.

Kris said the Malacañang representative was saying that they were in a damn-if-you-do, damn-if-you-don’t situation as far as official honors for her mother was concerned. She remarked, “Di ko problema ang problema ninyo, ang problema ko lang, Mom ko.”

Continue readingWhy the Aquinos declined state funeral for Cory

In Arroyo’s indecent regime: loyalty over substance

Published by Ellen on August 2, 2009

Related article: Primer on presidential visits by Roberto R. Romulo

As we bid goodbye to President Cory Aquino, we reminisce her presidency with affection because that was the time when sincerity, honesty , and decency characterized all her decisions and actions.

Decency is one thing that we cannot say of the hustling among members of Gloria Arroyo’s men and women on who would be included in Arroyo’s official party in the meeting with US President Barack Obama last week.

The White House bilateral meetings was supposed to be five plus one for both sides. That means Arroyo and five cabinet members. Obama and five cabinet members on the others side.

Continue readingIn Arroyo’s indecent regime: loyalty over substance

Babuyan na talaga

Published by Ellen on August 1, 2009

Wala na talagang natirang delikadesa itong si Gloria Arroyo at ang kanyang mga kampon.

Sa kanilang mga kilos, para silang nagpa-panic na malapit na ang kanilang katapusan at kailangan mahakot nila ang kaya nilang mahakot. Astang magnanakaw at mapagsamantala.

Itong paglagay kay Lani Mercado sa San Miguel Corporation kung saan ang isang direktor para pangangalagaan ang kapakanan ng taumbayan ay tumataggnap na hindi bababa sa P1 milyon bawat miting.

Continue readingBabuyan na talaga

Arroyo would be treated with civility if she comes to Cory’s wake : Noynoy

Published by Ellen on August 1, 2009

Update: Cory will be buried on Wednesday, Aug.5, at the family’s plot at the Manila Memorial park beside her husband, the late senator Benigno Aquino, Jr.

Necrological rites on Tuesday evening.

Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III said personally, he “would not totally welcome Gloria Arroyo and Imelda Marcos” but if they come to the wake of his mother, former President Corazon Aquino,they would be treated with “civility.”

In an interview by David Celdran on ANC, Noynoy said he was expressing personal views and that the matter would have to be discussed by the family. “I would not totally welcome (Arroyo’s visit) but we have been taught civility, he said.

Asked if the same applies to Imelda Marcos, he replied “yes.”

Continue readingArroyo would be treated with civility if she comes to Cory’s wake : Noynoy

Letter to President Obama

Published by Ellen on July 29, 2009

His Excellency President Barack Obama
Washington District of Columbia
United States of America

Dear Mr. President,

We shared the wonderful jubilation of the American people during your historic election triumph. When you assumed office early this year, we rejoiced at the audacious hope that you inspired, and on your promise of change for the common good.

We joined all freedom loving people of the world who exulted when you declared that “those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent…are on the wrong side of history.”

Continue readingLetter to President Obama