Global Balita May Series #2

Global Balita May Series #2

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Opinion » Crystal Balls

by Antonio C. Abaya
from Standard Today

In his paper on The 2010 Presidential Elections: Assessments and Analysis, A Year Ahead, political analyst Antonio Gatmaitan presented a traditional and uncontroversial overview of the political scene.

Namely, that the contenders will be Joseph Estrada, Noli de Castro, Chiz Escudero, Loren Legarda, Kiko Pangilinan, Mar Roxas, Manny Villar, Jejomar Binay, Bayani Fernando, Gilberto Teodoro, Reynato Puno, Among Ed Panlilio, Eddie Villanueva, and (whom he unaccountably left out) Ping Lacson.

That Lakas-Kampi will choose their candidate from among the party members (Teodoro, Fernando), and that consequently the Independent …

Read the full story >> Crystal Balls

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Opinion » Magical, enchanting Loboc
by Lito Banayo
from MALAYA

When you’re feeling depressed and need to get your mind off personal problems or problems of the benighted state, or when you just want to get out of the dreadful metropolis of smog and traffic and ugly billboards, hop into a Tagbilaran-bound flight. There are now seven of them each day, PAL, Cebu-Pacific and Zest-Air. Ten years back, there was but one flight, and it wasn’t even daily.
And if there is any president who could truly be considered pro-tourism, it must be Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Not …

Read the full story >> Magical, enchanting Loboc

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Politics & Government » Commentary: The Plot Thickens
COMMENTARY: The Plot Thickens

Amidst speculations that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is going to run for Congress in 2010, Gloria’s spin doctors were saying, “why afraid of Arroyo running?”

It appears that Gloria’s henchmen are now trying to condition the people’s mind that Gloria is going to run; thus, the question, “why afraid of Arroyo running?”

If the opposition is afraid of Gloria running, it’s because that Gloria might pull another “Hello Garci” cheating job using the yet to be installed Automated Election System. And it would be hard to detect cheating this time around because “Garci” …


Read the full story >> Commentary: The Plot Thickens

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Opinion » Villar’s two chances to get a fair Senate hearing: none and nil
AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR
by William M. Esposo
from Philstar
During the 1975 Ali-Frazier III (‘The thrilla in Manila’) press conference, Muhammad Ali was asked: “How much chance does Joe Frazier have to beat you?”

The loquacious all-time boxing legend replied: “Frazier has two chances — none and nil.”

This came to mind as we follow the so-called ethics case against Senator Manny Villar (by no coincidence the leading Opposition presidential wannabe) being promoted by the ‘Katzenjammer Kids’ of the Upper Chamber, Senators Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and Jamby Madrigal.

For those who are unfamiliar with …

Read the full story >> Villar’s two chances to get a fair Senate hearing: none and nil

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Culture, Sports, Entertainment & Technology » ‘Mayweather will never commit Hatton’s mistake’
by Alex P. Vidal

SAN DIEGO, California –A member of the Philippine boxing team in the 1976 Montreal Olympics has predicted an “inevitable” showdown between newly crowned IBO light welterweight king Manny Pacquiao and former best boxer in the world pound-for-pound Floyd Mayweather Jr. before the end of 2009.

“Weeks after Manny Pacquiao brought down England’s greatest warrior with a single sledgehammer- like punch in the much-ballyhooed ‘The Battle of East and West’ at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, boxing fans all over the world, especially in Canada, are still …

Read the full story >> ‘Mayweather will never commit Hatton’s mistake’

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Opinion » Would you bet on Erap?
by Lito Banayo
from MALAYA

Thursday last week, a favourite cabinet official of former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada motored to the residence of a Catholic charismatic lay leader. They were after all neighbours in an exclusive, gated subdivision in the southern periphery of the national capital region. Together they proceeded to a meeting with the former president who in his prime was quite close to the charismatic figure.

The former president declared before his “spiritual adviser” that he had decided to run for re-election, or another election as he distinguishes it. The …

Read the full story >> Would you bet on Erap?

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Opinion » Premature ejaculation*

by Manuel Buencamino
“Filipinos come quick.”—Lenny Bruce

I know that writing about 2010’s probables is premature but, what the heck, I’m Filipino.

Chiz Escudero hopes his age, communication skills and Danding Cojuangco’s resources will do the trick.

Loren Legarda wishes Danding would mistake her for Chiz.

Gilbert Teodoro hopes Danding will listen to Gloria and trust Emperor Bangit’s ability to make things happen.
Mar Roxas believes he can padyak (pedal) his way to Malacañang on a pedicab and a Korina.

Manuel Villar hopes his campaign slogan—“Sipag at Tiyaga” (hard work and perseverance)—will convey the message that he’ll make …

Read the full story >> Premature ejaculation*

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Opinion »
Will Martin Nievera dare to sing Iran’s national anthem his way?
AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR
by William M. Esposo
from Philstar

Outside of Americans and Filipinos, can you recall other nationals who sang their national anthems during a public event in a way that deviated from the traditional beat?

It’s not surprising that the disrespectful practice was popularized by showbiz personalities who are always trying to be different or just simply trying to be noticed. They justify it as the freedom of artistic expression.

Many Filipinos are the ‘monkey see, monkey do’ types when something is started by Americans. Now, we have this recent controversy …

Read the full story >> Will Martin Nievera dare to sing Iran’s national anthem his way?

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Opinion » Only for the brave
by Issa Cuevas-Santos
Wife, Mom, Missionary

Light rain from the window touched my face tonight as I put my daughter Calliya to sleep. I don’t know why, but it truly felt like God’s hand brushing my face and gently reminding me of a promise that I had made on a rainy evening, many nights ago, in Panglima Estino, Sulu.

Together with 200 others, I had made a commitment to tell others about my Sulu story and yet after almost a month, I have not done that. At first, …


Read the full story >> Only for the brave

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Opinion » This Irrational Season
by Gang Badoy

A year from now the Philippine Presidential elections will be held.

Filipinos will, once again, be caught in the vise grip of the few who are vying for positions of power. The campaign materials will once again range from slick to tawdry- mostly in-between. Money will be the ace. Money will buy air time, media space, and in-your-face announcements. I haven’t decided yet if I love or hate the election season. By default, I hate it. It is when I am most cynical. I doubt every candidate’s intentions. I …

Read the full story >> This Irrational Season

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Opinion » A question on motives and timing
by Reginald Tamayo

This refers to the editorial “Lighting a candle” (PDI May 12) which says that a nameless group headed by Senator Francis Pangilinan and ChangePolitics Movement are taking the cudgels of responsibility of convincing around the country “about 9 million lazy or apathetic citizens to register and vote in 2010” and “to get rid of vote-buying” respectively.

I am not questioning the effort of Senator Pangilinan on his desire to bring about political reforms in the country by urging the youth to register and vote. However, I question his motives …

Read the full story >> A question on motives and timing

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Opinion »
Alston’s Upcoming Report Gives Filipino-American Human Rights Advocates Justification to Ramp Up Pressure on Philippine Government

For Immediate Release
May 8, 2009
Reference: Katrina Abarcar, Katarungan: Center for Peace, Justice, and Human Rights in the Philippines katarungan@comcast.net

Washington, DC – Recent news that Philip Alston, UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Executions, believes the Philippine Government has failed to institute the substantive reforms he recommended to address extrajudicial killings and other human rights abuses in the country is the evidence that US Congress needs to strengthen the past conditions it placed military aid to …

Read the full story >> Alston’s Upcoming Report Gives Filipino-American Human Rights Advocates Justification to Ramp Up Pressure on Philippine Government


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