MILF briefing for FOCAP

This is an incomplete transcript of the press conference which MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim held before the Foreign Correspondents’ Association of the Philippines (FOCAP).

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 discuss it, looking at the first Edsa uprising and the changes that the revolutionary government, led by then President Corazon Aquino, managed to institute.

Gonzales discussed the idea recently, during a press briefing with the Foreign Correspondents’ Association of the Philippines.

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 or posting on the issue of the House Of Representatives passing HR 1109 in congress. Link to these blogs even if your blog’s topic is not on anything related to HR 1109.

HR 1109 is one the most important actions of the current congress that will affect the whole country and our lives.

Let us link together to give pinoys the opportunity to be properly informed on the issue so that they can intelligently decide on their own or join a group to take action.

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 the issue.

FOCAP Statement on Right of Reply Bill

The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) strongly opposes the Right of Reply Bill being deliberated in Congress and calls on legislators to withdraw support for the measure.

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) among students.

DOH reminded school administrators to be vigilant against A (H1N1) and to implement the preventive public health measures recommended by DOH in its interim guidelines for controlling the spread of A (H1N1) among students.

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 military’s order of battle. Several years back, a defense reporter was surprised to see her picture among those plastered in front of a military camp, which displayed pictures of those “wanted” by the military.
Recently Cheche Lazaro, one of the most respected journalist in the Philippines, had to post bail so as not to be arrested for the crime of taping her conversation with a government official. I have not heard the tapes, of course, but the reports say that Cheche wanted to get the official’s side on a story she was doing, about the public teachers’ complaints that they were not being given their retirement money in full. She taped the official’s refusal to comment on the story, and was accused of violating the anti-wiretapping law. Here is Caloy’s statement in full.

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 refuse.
Should the police refuse to serve the warrants, he says, some of the political opposition — among them former Manila police chief and now Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, and former PNP chief and now senator Panfilo Lacson — may be deputized to serve and implement the arrest warrants.

The order is reprinted in full by Vera Files.

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 be vacated so they, too, could have an opportunity to represent their country.

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.