Top Arroyo aide pushes for a transition government

National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales is pushing for a transition government, citing the lack of credibility of the current Commission on Elections and the likelihood that the coming elections will not only lack credibility, but will not change anything as well.
He is not calling for a transition government, Gonzales says. But he wants people to [...]

A call to Pinoy bloggers to link blogs on HR1109

There is a call to Filipino bloggers — and other bloggers as well – to link blogs and help inform the public on House Resolution 1109, which convenes Congress into a constituent assembly that will change the Constitution.
We are issuing this call to all pinoy blogs and bloggers to link to other blogs discussing [...]

House of Representatives to pass Right of Reply bill tonight?

Word is that the House of Representatives will approve the Right of Reply bill tonight, June 3, in a marathon session that will last into the wee hours of the morning. Those who are against it, protest while you still can. Meanwhile, I am reposting the Foreign Correspondent’s Association of the Philippines’ (FOCAP) position on [...]

Five more A(H1N1) cases brings RP total to 21

DOH press release:
Influenza A (H1N1) Update No. 30
DUQUE JOINS LAPUS IN OPLAN BALIK ESKUELA, CONFIRMS FIVE MORE POSITIVE CASES
June 1, 2009
On the first day of school, Duque joined DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus during the launch of the Oplan Balik Eskuela to ensure the readiness of schools at all levels to prevent and control Influenza A(H1N1) [...]

Philippine journalist on military’s Order of Battle

Carlos Conde, who writes for the New York Times, just found out that he is on the military’s list of order of battle. He is the only journalist on the list. At least one person on the list has since been killed.
This is not the first time that a reporter has been included in the [...]

Manila Trial court judge says perjury case vs Lozada gives the court power to summon First Couple

Judge Lorredo, in his order for Jun Lozada’s arraignment on Thursday, raises very interesting legal points. Advising Mike Defensor to drop the complaint, he points out that if Defensor insists in pursuing it the First Couple can be summoned by the Court as hostile witnesses, if the defense asks for it, and arrested if they [...]

DFA personnel question Yano’s appointment as Brunei ambassador

Rank and file personnel from the Foreign Affairs department are questioning the recent appointment of retiring AFP chief of staff Alexander Yano, as well as that of vice chief of staff, Cardozo Luna. In a statement issued Wednesday, Michael Macaraig pointed out that there are enough foreign service career officers waiting for ambassadorial posts to [...]

Makabayan is born

Partylist groups Bayan Muna, Gabriela Women’s Party, and Anakpawis have formed a coalition, with new members Anakbayan, ACT Teachers Partylist, and Courage.

Right of Reply forum

CenterLaw, the Open Society and the UP Journalism Club held a forum on the Right of Reply Bill Tuesday morning at the UP College of Mass Communication. Short notes on the forum, to add to the ongoing discussion about the Right of Reply Bill.

Why the VFA is not a treaty

In a recent forum at the UP College of Law, lawyers took turns explaining the Visiting Forces Agreement the Philippines has with the United States.
Former UP dean Pacifico Agabin explained the gist of the motion for reconsideration they filed with the Supreme Court, asking the Court to reconsider its position on the VFA as a [...]