ellen tordesillas – Page 408 – Making life worth living.

Nautical highway

Published by Ellen on February 8, 2007

The sadistic streak in the young steward of Starlite Pacific ferry boat must have been on overdrive during the Feb. 3 afternoon trip from Caticlan in Aklan to Roxas in Mindoro Oriental.

The sea was a little rough with the northeast monsoon wind and we, new RoRo (roll on –roll off) travelers, were trying hard to calm down our nervousness with silent prayers. We were glad when the television set was turned on for a movie. At least that would distract our attention from the tossing that the waves was subjecting the ferry boat, we told ourselves.

But our anticipation for a diversion was turned to dismay when we saw the familiar scenes of the movie “Titanic.”

JV Ejercito withdraws from Senate race for Sonia Roco

Published by Ellen on February 8, 2007

San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito, one of the candidates of the United Opposition, today withdrew from the senatorial race.

One of UNO’s spokesmen, Rufus Rodriguez, said Ejercito withdrew after consultation with his father, former President Estrada, for a broader, unified coalition.

Sources said JV is giving way for the entry of Sonia Roco, widow of former Sen. Raul Roco.

Just got a text from JV:

I would like to thank you for the trust and support you have given me as a senatorial aspirant. There comes a time when you need to sacrifice for the sake of the country.

Be rest assured that I will continue standing up for what is right and what is just. Para sa Bayan!

House unlikely to suspend Cayetano

Published by Ellen on February 7, 2007

Have the slick operators in Congress put one over Mike Arroyo? The braggart in Malacañang wanted Alan Peter Cayetano expelled from the House of Representatives for daring to expose an alleged loot in a German bank. Of course, for the right price, there were more than enough in the House of Representatives to do his bidding.

But after railroading a suspension recommendation, Rep. Rodolfo Cajes (NPC, Bohol), chair of the ethics panel, said the House may not be able to effect the suspension due to lack of material time.

Have they gotten what was mentioned in the committee hearings as “regalo”? Wasn’t Mike Arroyo shortchanged?

Continue readingHouse unlikely to suspend Cayetano

UNO senatorial candidates lead in Pulse Asia survey

Published by Ellen on February 7, 2007

If the May 2007 elections were held today, 14 personalities – seven of whom are officially part of the United Opposition’s senatorial slate, six may…

Panel seeks 45-day Cayetano suspension

Published by Ellen on February 6, 2007

In the still -to- be -released survey of Pulse Asia for senatorial candidates, Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano has moved up to number four from last November’s number 8 spot. In the past months, Mike Arroyo has unleashed his dogs in the House of Representatives against Cayetano.

Malaya’s Wendell Vigilia reports on the latest on Mike Arroyo’s crusade to catapult Cayetano to the Senate:

THE House committee on ethics yesterday recommended the suspension of Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano (NP, Taguig-Pateros) for 45 days for saying presidential spouse Jose Miguel Arroyo maintained a bank account in Germany.

The recommendation will go to the House plenary where a two-third vote or 154 is needed to impose sanctions on a member.

Trillanes files candidacy

Published by Ellen on February 6, 2007

From Malaya:

Accused mutiny leader Lt. (s.g.) Antonio Trillanes IV yesterday filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator at the office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Manila.

With the filing, the military said Trillanes is deemed separated from service.

He will not be allowed to go out of his detention cell in Fort Bonifacio to campaign because the military retains jurisdiction over him. If he wins in the senatorial race, the military court will continue trying him.

Quarters of detained major broken into; rifle, laptop taken

Published by Ellen on February 5, 2007

THE quarters of detained Army Maj. Jason Aquino in Camp Aguinaldo was ransacked Saturday noon by unidentified persons who carted away a military-issued baby Armalite and a laptop computer, among other items.

Aquino’s wife, Maria Fe, said nobody was home when the intrusion happened because she and her daughters left the house at about 10 a.m. They were surprised to see their things scattered when they returned about 2 p.m.

“I don’t believe it’s a simple theft,” she said, saying their family quarters, Unit 668 on Arevalo street, is inside a military camp. The compound with 10 units has only one entry and exit gate with a guard post outside.

Ok ang unang listahan ng oposisyon

Published by Ellen on February 5, 2007

May kumakalat na text joke ngayon: “Tuwang-tuwa si Pichay sa Senate Survey ng Malacañang kasi number five na siya!”

Di ba nakakagulat?

Kasi naman ang ang na sa top ay l) patola, 2) lettuce, 3) sitaw, 4) patani.

Govt paid P450,000 to MNLF

Published by Ellen on February 5, 2007

Update: Gen. Dolorfino admits before the Commission on Appointments they were both hostaged and hosted. CA approved his promotion. Click here.

Was it Ransom for the release of Gen. Dolorfino? Or was it compensation for kin of fatalities in clashes?

What is certain says Regino Bengco, Malaya’s Malacañang reporter, is that government gave money to the MNLF. Here’s Bengco’s report:

Government negotiators yesterday said they gave money to the Moro National Liberation Front but said it was for relatives of MNLF fighters slain during mis-encounters last month, and not for the release from “restraint” of a general and several companions held for two days in an MNLF camp in Sulu.

Jesus Dureza, presidential adviser on the peace process, confirmed the payment during a press briefing in Malacañang after he, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Benjamin Dolorfino, and peace process undersecretary Ramon Santos made a courtesy call to Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.

Reports said that “goodwill money” of P450,000 was given to the MNLF.

Continue readingGovt paid P450,000 to MNLF

Reporters Sans Frontieres slams Arroyo administration

Published by Ellen on February 5, 2007

This report by Reporters Without Borders came out last week and has been commented on in previous posts but i’m posting it here for the record and for future reference.

Philippines – Annual report 2007

Despite new arrests of murderers, the authorities failed to stem the wave of violence against journalists. At least six were killed in 2006. And the press also found itself facing a new enemy: José Miguel Arroyo, the husband of President Gloria Arroyo, who took out a raft of defamation suits.

While her husband was lodging “defamation” complaints against more than 40 journalists, President Arroyo said, on 18 November 2006, that her government was “respectful of press freedom, an institution of Philippines democracy”. On the same day, journalist Ellen Tordesillas, a stern critic of the government received an email warning her: “Your days are numbered”. Murders, assaults, arrests, abusive law suits and censorship were the hallmark of 2006 in this country.

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