PNoy's SONA...

I watched this year's State of the Nation Address (SONA) and I feel a sense of pride that I voted for the guy. I admit I only did in honor of what his late parents did for the Philippines, but from what I heard, this administration is turning out better than anyone expected.

I have not paid attention to PNoy's speeches the past two years but I like what I'm seeing. I see more roads under construction in my travels around the country so going by that, this president is doing his job.

There are still a lot of challenges of course, but I think we are in a better position than we were three years ago. Now if only the DOTC would get off their butts and quickly approve vital projects like connector roads, MRT & LRT lines etc. then PNoy's legacy will be cemented (pun intended).

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Goodluck, President Noynoy Aquino! (aka P-Noy)

Go P-Noy

"Today the dream starts to become reality", "There can be no reconciliation without justice", "Walang wang-wang" were just some of what I liked about newly sworn in President Noynoy Aquino's inaugural speech, but what I digged the most was when he said "Kayo ang boss ko". I don't know how he'd go about doing that, but it's nice to hear just the same.

Our country is facing daunting challenges but hearing the sincerity from our new President gave me some hope that indeed, things might be different this time. I'm not expecting too much though... I'm old enough to know that no single person can change the system completely.

I'd be quite content if P-Noy would just make decent decisions, demand the best of the people he put in positions of power, not increase our taxes and not steal.. okay na yun sa kin. Perfection may be impossible, but honest governance is certainly doable--I expect nothing less from Ninoy and Cory Aquino's son.

"You are my only son. You carry my name and the name of my father. I have no material wealth to leave you; I never had time to make money while I was in the hire of our people. For this I am very sorry. ... The only valuable asset I can bequeath to you now is the name you carry. I have tried my best during my years of public service to keep that name untarnished and respected, unmarked by sorry compromises for expediency. I now pass it on to you, as good, I pray, as when my father, your grandfather, passed it on to me. ...The only advice I can give you: Live with honor and follow your conscience. There is no greater nation on earth than our Motherland. No greater people than our own. Serve them with all your heart, with all your might and with all your strength. Son, the ball is now in your hands." ~ lifted from Ninoy's letter to Noynoy (written in prison c. 1973).

Here are videos of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III's inauguration speech (via PnoyWatcher of YouTube):

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Should Binay have a place in Noynoy Aquino's cabinet?

yellow worked for him...

It's good that Vice President-elect Jejomar Binay has quit insisting on having the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) post for himself, as if he has a natural right to it. I don't even think he should have a place in the Aquino cabinet at all.

Prof. Winnie Monsod is right, there's just too many graft cases filed against Binay to inspire confidence in him. I hope President Noynoy would not appoint people in his administration who are tainted by corruption.

I respect the fact that Binay had been a loyal ally to the late President Cory Aquino, but his family's uninterrupted 24-year rule in Makati City makes me really uncomfortable. Just imagine, he's been in power here since I was in grade school! I wish him luck in his VP gig and all but I just don't trust the man.

Update: Binay changes mind, declines cabinet post. 

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Noynoy Aquino is President, now what?

goodluck, Noynoy!

Noynoy Aquino is officially our President-Elect. I voted for him and I'm gratified he won. Many people scoffed at his perceived lack of accomplishments as a legislator because he didn't have laws galore he sponsored or named after himself but thankfully, voters cared more that he's untainted by corruption. I know the next 6 years will be full of challenges, but I believe he's up to the job.

I think we have enough laws already, if the  government only have the intestinal fortitude to implement the laws passed by Congress, our country will be a much better place. What we need is a leader with integrity who'd make sure to put the right people in place to help him get things done.

I was watching the news last night and there was this guy hoping that Noynoy would put food on his family's table, sent his kids to school etc. I mean, seriously? I hope this guy is in the minority... at least someone should set him straight and tell him that it is his  responsibility to make sure his family has enough to eat. It is not the President's job or anyone else's. Whatever happened to taking responsibility? Sheesh.

I've never believed politicians' outlandish campaign promises because I believe more in the capacity of the individual to make decisions for their betterment. Government has its place in our lives but it shouldn't be too intrusive--burying us in red tape, too much taxes and unnecessary regulations.

What President Noynoy owes us is transparent and accountable government, one that is on our side... he'll face enough problems caused by his predecessor's profligacy without us expecting the moon and the stars. I wish him the best and I hope for our nation's sake, he succeeds.

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Post-election musings

The election is over and for the first time in our history, we pretty much knew who won the election after just one day... even with the long queues and PCOS machine snafus, I think it went better than expected. The heads of the usual suspects--aka election cheaters and loser crybabies--must be spinning.

Cheating in this automated elections proved difficult, so some politicians' lackeys resorted to desperate measures like identifying supporters of their candidates' opponents and paying them NOT to vote and using indelible ink to make sure they really can't vote... now that's creative vote buying, if pathetic.

I've always watched other countries' elections with envy--results within hours of the polls closing, losers conceding graciously--and though they were glitches, I'm gratified that we've finally (finally!) caught up with the 21st century.

Kudos to Sen. Manny Villar for quickly conceding when it had become clear that he could not overcome Sen. Noynoy Aquino's lead... same with Gibo Teodoro, Richard Gordon, Bro. Eddie Villanueva and JC de los Reyes. I think classy concession speeches should be the norm in our elections from now on. None of that "dinaya kasi ako" cr*p that every loser candidate used to whine about.

Joseph "Erap" Estrada is still not conceding though and his lawyer even threatened to file an election fraud case against Noynoy (as if Noynoy is in a position to perpetrate fraud)... get real Erap, you're trailing by 5 million with about 90% of the votes counted. Just be thankful that people still voted for you even after you've been convicted and jailed for "plunder". I bet President Macapagal-Arroyo now wishes she didn't pardon Erap the delusional. Sheesh.

Update: Madrigal, Perlas and de los Reyes whine about ‘election irregularities’. Not conceding either .

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Hmm...who to vote for?

waited 5 hours to register... make it count! 

It's three days before the election and I still don't have a "who to vote for" list. This is the first automated elections in the Philippines so confusion is somewhat expected, but I don't want to be caught flat-footed in the voting booth so I should at least make a list.

My family's never been interested in politics, but come election time, my late grandpa Itay had always encouraged family members to vote for any national candidate from the Bicol region... hoping that if they win, our province would reap the benefits. So if any Bicolanos are on the ballot and they are not crooks, expect me and my family to vote for them... it's tradition.

I haven't voted since I was a teenager, having moved to the big city for school... I just didn't know any local candidates and I didn't think my vote would matter anyway. It took me more than a decade to wise up and register to vote again so here I am, strangely excited to exercise my right to vote and still no list, grrrr!

So let's do this:

President: Benigno "Noynoy" S. Aquino III - He promises not to increase taxes, wants to fight corruption and this is kinda a vote for his parents too... I hope he's worthy of the name he carries (super fingers crossed).

Vice-President:  Bayani Fernando Mar Roxas - I promised years ago to vote for Bayani Fernando if he ever ran for President for unsnarling traffic at EDSA (heavy traffic drove me nuts when I was a student) but Mar Roxas is a good guy and Binay is catching up in the latest surveys so...

Senate:
1. Sonia Roco - educator, civic leader and Bicolana, enough said.
2. Ruffy Biazon - accomplished legislator... I just like the guy

There, who else? Hontiveros? Cayetano?  I don't even know who to vote for at the local Makati elections... Erwin Genuino maybe? He's cute and a Facebook friend, but that's just silly... dang, this is hard.

I don't know anything about these people. I have to read their platforms etc. and I need to call my Mama to ask about other non-crook Bicolanos running, she knows for sure. :)

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Oh, to be the President's manicurist...

international headlines

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo recently appointed her personal manicurist and stylist Anita Carpon to the board of the Pag-IBIG Housing Fund. I have nothing against manicurists--I have many fond memories hanging around my auntie Poying's beauty salon--but this is just odd.

I'm all for having ordinary people represented in government agencies, but being "officer-in-charge of Madame President's ingrown toenails and cuticles" is not enough qualification for this job.

The president also tapped her gardener Armando Macapagal as deputy of the Luneta Park Administration, without any administrative experience. Goodness, nothing screams "banana republic" more than these examples of blatant political patronage.

from AFP:

MANILA — Philippine President Gloria Arroyo has named her manicurist to the board of a major government agency, her spokesman said Thursday. The appointment of Anita Carpon to the board of a body responsible for lending tens of millions of dollars for the housing needs of government employees has drawn sharp criticism.

Arroyo's spokesman Gary Olivar defended Carpon's new posting and confirmed her other job as the president's stylist... Local media reports say Carpon will receive a monthly salary of about 130,000 pesos (about 2,900 dollars), double that of the president herself. 

Update: Anita Carpon declines appointment. Good for her.

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Noynoy Aquino on Time Magazine cover

his time?

 Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III graces the cover of the April 25 issue of Time Magazine. I read through the accompanying article “The Next Aquino: Can Noynoy save the Philippines?” and did a double take when I read this quote from Newsbreak magazine editor Marites Vitug:

"Our trust in politics has been so eroded that people just want a new leader who will do the very basic — who will not be corrupt, who will be good,"

That is exactly  how I feel. I'm not looking for a "savior" in this election only someone who will lead this country with honesty and sincerity. I'm not expecting that all our problems will go away by electing a new President--I just want someone who will not steal from our coffers, who will put the people first.

I believe a leader does not need highfalutin degrees to be effective, he just got to have common sense and integrity. The greatest problem we have in this country is government corruption, so we need to elect leaders who will not compromise their honor... that may be a tall order but I'm optimistic there are still people like that running for office this election.

Update: Landslide victory.

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Manny Villar's C5 vs. Noynoy Aquino's SCTEX

compare and contrast

The election is just a month away and predictably, accusations and counter-accusations from various politicians running against each other are flying right and left. Philippine politics is crazy and gets even more so come election time, I mean they are even taunting each other to get psychological tests now (maybe to prove who's crazier?)

Politics here is not for the faint of heart. So what's happening now as the election approaches is just the usual. Anyway, my FB friend Caloy shared this video of Winnie Monsod's analysis of Manny Villar's C5 road extension project and Noynoy Aquino's SCTEX.  Watch this and decide for yourself.

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Bro. Mike Velarde "requested" to move C5 road and earned ₱1.2 billion?!

Oh, so even Bro. Mike Velarde made money off the controversial C5 road extension project, eh? I was surprised for a bit when I read this at first, but when I took the time to really think about it, it's not that surprising.

from Philstar:

MANILA, Philippines - Bro. Mariano “Mike” Velarde has admitted requesting the government to move the position of the C-5 Road so that it would only cause minimal damage to his property. Velarde was said to have earned P1.2 billion for road right-of-way on his 14-hectare Amvel property. 

He reportedly said that it was his right to receive the money because he is the owner of the 14-hectare property. The El Shaddai leader said that this information was only being released now “because it is only now that I am being asked.”

It's quite sad that even religious leaders are now dabbling in politics(Velarde is currently running as a party-list representative)... using their considerable influence to sway their members to vote for whoever they endorse. Naturally, the politicians would try to be on these religious leaders' good side, pandering shamelessly to them.

Personally, I find this disgusting... what does influence peddling have to do with the gospel of Jesus Christ? I hope Bro. Mike Velarde and his ilk remember the bible's admonishment in 1 Timothy 6:10 that "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil".

More here.
 

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Manny Villar's stalking me!

see, he's stalking me... on YM...

I know I'm being a tad dramatic but I feel like Manny Villar is stalking me these days... his campaign ads are just everywhere, there's just no getting away from his orangey mug, it seems. When I open Yahoo! messenger, Facebook and even when I'm just reading my friends' blogs he's inevitably there. I don't begrudge Manny Villar's financial success (he worked hard for it) that makes it possible for him to have a campaign war chest in the billions (he's spent P543-M on ads so far), but this is getting ridiculous.

Facebook...

Villar's campaign spending looks like it's working for him--recent polls attest to this. I have anecdotal evidence too... when we visited a tribal settlement in Bicol, kids are singing the campaign jingle from his TV ad and several tribe members we talked to there would vote for Villar because "si Villar ang tunay na mahirap" directly quoting from it. The song might be cheesy but it's undeniably catchy, even my nephew and nieces love it.

on my friends' blogs?!!!

I don't watch much TV, so I have largely avoided the brunt of this campaign season's ad blitz from politicians running for something or other, but I log onto the internet everyday and I tell you Manny Villar's ads are creeping me out. I like the guy, but I couldn't help but think that if he's spending this much money to get elected president--if he wins, wouldn't he try to recoup his "investment" from us? He's a businessman after all...

Update: Villar's ads exceed combined airtime of 5 rivals .

Based on published rate cards, Villar’s ads cost a total of P1.2 billion in 3 months. It’s almost equal to the combined spending of P1.3 billion by 5 other leading presidential candidates. 

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Ping Lacson's in a pickle

Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson was recently implicated by state witness Cezar Mancao II in the November 2000 abduction and murder of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver, Emmanuel Corbito... the judge handling the case issued an arrest warrant for Lacson only to find he has flown the coop to parts unknown. He insists he is innocent and felt persecuted by the Department of Justice and Malacañang and therefore would not get a fair trial.

I understand Sen. Lacson's skepticism about our justice system under this administration but you know what, he is a senator... he has way more connections than the average Juan de la Cruz. Is this going to be the MO of politicos who get in trouble with the law? Flight is an indication of guilt, right?

What rankles me the most about this case is--if one of us normal Pinoys ever get in trouble like this--we would not have a choice but to suck it up and face the music. Ping Lacson should surrender voluntarily and submit himself to our legal processes just like the rest of us. He could certainly afford to hire a lawyer.

Surely special arrangements could be made for him. He was the former police chief so he would not be too popular if he's thrown in jail together with common criminals. This debacle reflects very poorly on the Senate and the PNP--I hope the good senator would come to his senses before Interpol gets its hands on him.

***photo courtesy of Ping Lacson's official website

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Remembering Cory Aquino

It's her birthday...

I met Corazon "Cory" Aquino when I was 11 years old while she was campaigning for the presidency. I went to school adjacent to our local Catholic church so we were herded to see her when she was there. I did not know the significance of the event unfolding before my eyes or even remember a word she said, but I recall shaking her hand and holding on to her skirt when she was about to leave... I didn't know why I did that, but she smilingly and very gently extricated herself from my grabby little hands.

I then went home boasting to my mother and anyone who would listen that I nearly got a glimpse of Cory's underwear! Grossly exaggerated I know, but you know how kids are. She subsequently "lost" the election to Ferdinand Marcos--the people were aghast at the obvious cheating and took to the streets. Cory Aquino then became president through "People Power" and Marcos hightailed it to Hawaii.

I didn't pay much attention to politics in the intervening years... apart from going to EDSA 2 where I saw her again, I pretty much didn't care about who's in charge of the country... except for Cory,they all are thieves anyway--sadly a fact of life in the Philippines.

When President Aquino died on August 1, 2009, I was one of the hundreds of thousands who flocked to the streets to pay respect to a great lady who gave so much. My friends and I waited for more than 3 hours in the noonday sun for a glimpse of her funeral cortege as it passed by Ayala Avenue on its way to the Manila Cathedral.

The outpouring of love for her that I witnessed there is an experience I will not forget. I met doctors, office workers, students, retirees--all there to pay their last respects and celebrate her life saying "siya lang ang di nagnakaw sa atin". The only president in our recollection who did not steal from us... and she restored democracy. Her presidency was far from perfect but we all knew she was honest.

Today would have been President Aquino's 77th birthday. Statues will be unveiled, masses offered for the woman who so changed history and up until the end, held the affection and respect of Filipinos. Her son Noynoy is himself now running for president, let's hope he's got his mother's integrity and selflessness.

“I have led a full life. I cannot complain," President Cory Aquino said in March 2008, when she was told that she had stage 4 cancer of the colon.

Here are some pictures of the funeral cortege last August '09:

confetti for Tita Cory

climbed up a fire truck for a better view

took pics while waiting

at last!

she was decent and honest

a fitting send-off

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Noynoy Aquino and Shalani Soledad

goodluck!

I found this article about how Noynoy Aquino met his girlfriend Shalani Soledad.

SENATOR Noynoy Aquino was dining with friends in Alfredo’s Steak House on Morato when the topic of his “type” of woman came up. The bachelor legislator, who turns 50 this year, was at a loss for words but as his eyes wandered around the restaurant, he spotted a woman a few tables away. Straightaway, he told his friends: “See her? That’s my type of woman.”

A few minutes later, the senator stepped out for a smoke (a bad habit he should quit soonest) and was greeted by the woman he had spotted and her group. Told that they were councilors from Valenzuela, Bulacan, Noynoy warmed up to them, not least because, as he laughingly reasons, “I was then chair of the Senate committee on local government.” Of course, he managed to get the woman’s name and they exchanged numbers. And while strengthening relations with local governments, he and Shalani Soledad soon became a couple.

...So what attracted him to Lani, as she is called by friends and family? “The minute we started talking, there were no communication barriers,” he shared. “We clicked instantly, and I found that I could talk with her about almost anything.”

Awww... I hope Noynoy has finally found "the One". At almost 50, I bet his judgment has gotten pretty good. Choosing the right person to marry is one of the most important decisions one could make. I don't think it's a knock on his character that he's taking his sweet time. I believe he could be a good President while single. So it's not good to pressure him to get married if that's not what he wants.

Shalani Soledad seems to be a fine woman... pretty, unassuming, well-spoken and she is not running around boasting about her connections, either. I might be a little biased though because 'Lani' is a proud Bicolana and a councilor in the 2nd district of Valenzuela City (where I went to school). It would be nice to have a First Lady like her, but she must be ready for the pressures that comes with all that too.

Update: new Inquirer feature "NOYNOY-SHALANI A love story people are talking about".

Update 2.0: The Aquino women (Ballsy, Pinky & Viel) on Shalani: 

 ALL three have only good words for Shalani Soledad, the city councilor who is Noynoy’s main squeeze. Though none of them have been on the stump with her, they are aware of Shalani’s own campaign sorties, and Ballsy says she’s heard so many stories about Shalani’s capabilities as a campaigner.“Being a local government official, she would know the challenges and demands that a politician faces,” Ballsy says with approval.

Asked if Shalani is their “favorite” among Noynoy’s girlfriends, all three roll their eyes and Ballsy, sighing, says: “We’ve had so many favorites among them through the years. We don’t want to hope again. We leave it all up to Noy.”

Update 3.0: from Philstar: Shalani Soledad: Simple and sincere 
Update 4.0: from Manila Bulletin: She’s that girl 



Update 5.0: Shalani will have to wait to be First Lady... getting married is not a priority for Noynoy post-election.



Update 6.0: Kris interviews Shalani on The Buzz.







Update 7.0: @ Noynoy's proclamation


Update 8.0: Breaking up? Confirmed. President Noynoy is now dating his stylist, Liz Uy. Well that's life, goodluck to them both.

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Kris Aquino's Latest Travails

Kris Aquino is embroiled in yet another controversy. This time she confronted a woman who apparently acted too chummy with her husband--basketball star James Yap. The woman's family subsequently informed the media to the effect that "now they know who they will not vote for" because of the incident (Kris' brother Noynoy Aquino is running for President of the Philippines). Kris took to the airwaves to deny she shouted at the woman and pleaded for people not to drag Noynoy into her domestic troubles.

The scandal plagued but good natured Kris Aquino has continuously been in the public eye for more than two decades since her father Ninoy was martyred and her mother Cory became President... she must know by now that everything she does will provoke comment, condemnation and adoration depending on who you ask.

She is well within her rights as a wife to react to what she sees as a threat to her marriage and family. As a public figure and tireless campaigner for her brother though, she should have thought long and hard before she showed up at the house of her husband's overzealous female "fan", even if her intention is not to cause a scene but to just talk to the former about her inappropriate behavior.

When I first heard of this incident, the first thought on my mind was "this could not have waited after the election, huh?" And then I sobered up and remembered that this is Kris Aquino we're talking about here--she's practically indestructible. Filipinos have taken Kris into their hearts that whatever outrageous skirmishes she'd gotten entangled with in the past, she always was able to bounce back even stronger than before.

She had survived so many scandals ( unsuitable men, STDs etc.) quite unbecoming of a daughter of heroic figures but the public though exasperated, has always been forgiving. Of course there are snarky comments but most people usually wish her well. In this latest dust-up there's no doubt in my mind she'll get over this too. She's left her husband temporarily to have some "space for me" and is not yet ready to say her marriage is over. I hope she and her husband patch things up eventually.


*** photos courtesy of Kris' FB

Update: That was fast--Kris confirmed in a statement that she and James are now back together.

Latest Kris issue: Ruffa Gutierrez' "walkout" from "The Buzz". I don't see anything wrong with what Kris said to Ruffa here though. But like everything that involves Kris Aquino, this has become big news.



Annabelle Rama just had to play drama queen again on behalf of her daughter, so the furs flew. I think it's unfair to drag Noynoy's name into this but I guess Kris is so identified with her brother's campaign now, people just couldn't help themselves.



Kris for her part has apologized to Ruffa and Annabelle.  But I can't help but think that Kris has been used in all this to drum up interest on Ruffa's new show on TV5.



Kris to Pacquiao: Unlike you, Noynoy undefeated in polls

“In politics, Noy has won 3 straight terms sa Congress and won almost 15 million votes sa senatorial [race] in 2007." “How sad na he didn't think na in politics, knock out nga s’ya,” 

Kris gives up on James. Marriage over. James still fights, wants an "intact" family.





Update: Kris left for US vacation with her kids, lawyers file for "declaration of nullity of marriage".
             James Yap hopes for a miracle. 

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Bad news for Manny Villar

a Filipino success story

This is disappointing news... of all the Presidential candidates, Senator Manny Villar has the best backstory... born into a poor family in Tondo, Manila--he sold shrimp and fish in his youth so he could support his education. With determination and grit he was able to build one of the largest real-estate companies in the Philippines. He is completely self-made and is now according to Forbes Asia magazine the 9th richest Filipino with an estimated net worth of $530 million. It's very hard to root against a guy like that.

The Senate investigation on the C5 road extension controversy has been going on for months. Villar is being accused of having used his influence so the road would run through his properties... his corporations allegedly received road right-of-way payments. As a keen observer of the goings-on in Philippine politics... I would not even pretend that this is not politically motivated, of course it is. This is the Philippines--everything is politics here.

Whatever happens with this investigation...I hope the Senators would be fair to Manny Villar and quit their grandstanding. I might not be voting for the man (succumbed to the "Cory Magic", wink!) but I have profound respect for what he has achieved by his hard work and daring.

Update: LP points to Iloilo land case as ‘pattern’ of Villar’s wealth. Hmmm...
Update: Villar pressure on PSE to okay stock offering bared 
              Villar concedes to Noynoy 

Enlightening Winnie Monsod video about the C5 road extension project controversy: 

 

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Now it's "Global Cooling", huh?

'An Inconvenient Truth' for Al Gore et al.

So after all the "global warming" scaremongering we all have been subjected to for years, scientists are now saying we could be in for decades of cooler temperatures. Many parts of the world are experiencing its coldest weather in recent memory.

From the Daily Mail:

The bitter winter afflicting much of the Northern Hemisphere is only the start of a global trend towards cooler weather that is likely to last for 20 or 30 years, say some of the world’s most eminent climate scientists.

Their predictions – based on an analysis of natural cycles in water temperatures in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans – challenge some of the global warming orthodoxy’s most deeply cherished beliefs, such as the claim that the North Pole will be free of ice in
summer by 2013.

The "global warming" story is an example of science getting needlessly politicized. Even reputable scientists get tempted to manipulate data or conform to the status quo. It does not help that when you question the veracity of "global warming" some people would immediately jump and call you a "climate denier' as if that's a terrible crime. It's always good to ask questions and not follow anyone blindly.

I would not be surprised if with this cooling trend so-called "experts" would try to scare us again into believing that the sky is falling and we're going to freeze our butts off if we don't do what they recommend. It would do us good to just relax and continue to be mindful of the environment but not be panicky or scared. The earth has its own way of coping and chances are it will outlive us all.

Update: Glacier scientist: I knew data hadn't been verified

Update 2.0: Climategate U-turn as scientist at centre of row admits: There has been no global warming since 1995

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President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to run for Congress!

Congresswoman?

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to run for Congress. There's something fundamentally wrong with this headline, don't you think? When you have been President of the Philippines, what do you have left to prove? Apparently running for Congress is up next for Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Is she this power hungry, that being President for nine years is not enough for her? And I thought I've seen it all in Philippine politics. Can you believe the nerve of this woman?

From the Inquirer:

MANILA, Philippines-- President Macapagal-Arroyo ended on Monday, months of suspense over her political future by announcing that she would seek a seat in the next Congress representing the second district of Pampanga.

Ms Arroyo claimed her decision to run was the product of both her desire to pursue public service and heed what she called “clamor” by her province mates.

“After much contemplation, I realized I’m not ready to step down completely from public service,” she announced in a guided interview with the government-run “Radyo ng Bayan”.

...(As you all know, I have been asked by the citizens of my home district in Pampanga to stay on in public life), so after much soul-searching, I have decided to respond affirmatively to their call,” she said.

Oh come on, spare us the drama Madam President. None of this "I still desire to serve the people" crap. Admit it, you have just gotten so used to power, you are probably afraid you'll have withdrawal symptoms like a two-bit crackhead when your term ends. I could understand that. It's preferable than hearing these platitudes.

I was there, dude!

I have never been a Gloria hater, in fact I joined the mass protests at EDSA 2. I was in the crowd (with my cousin Majin) when she was sworn in as the second woman President of the Philippines . I think there was a lot to admire in her handling of the economy. And honestly I just did not pay that much attention to the shenanigans of politicians. Apathy is my middle name, you know.

So what should we make of this? The woman who became president due to a peaceful popular uprising turned out to be just as power-hungry as the rest of the men. I guess it was too much to hope that Gloria Macapagal Arroyo would have even a little of the much beloved Cory Aquino's character and dignity. The first woman president knew when to relinquish power,the second clings to power like a desperate gecko (tuko!). I think when you are not secure about your presidential legacy, running for congress will do just fine.

Update: GMA is now congresswoman of Pampanga's 2nd district.

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Something hinky about "global warming".

manipulated graph showing warming

Scientists of the Climatic Research Unit - University of East Anglia in Britain are in deep trouble with the release of hacked emails that contained their discussions on hiding the decline of temperatures, even encouraging the destruction of data that might show that temperatures have been cooling the last decade.

From the UK Telegraph:

The conspiracy behind the Anthropogenic Global Warming myth has been suddenly, brutally and quite deliciously exposed after a hacker broke into the computers at the University of East Anglia’s Climate Research Unit (aka CRU) and released 61 megabytes of confidential files onto the internet.

When you read some of those files – including 1079 emails and 72 documents – you realise just why the boffins at CRU might have preferred to keep them confidential. As Andrew Bolt puts it, this scandal could well be “the greatest in modern science”. These alleged emails – supposedly exchanged by some of the most prominent scientists pushing AGW theory – suggest:

Conspiracy, collusion in exaggerating warming data, possibly illegal destruction of embarrassing information, organised resistance to disclosure, manipulation of data, private admissions of flaws in their public claims and much more.

But perhaps the most damaging revelations – the scientific equivalent of the Telegraph’s MPs’ expenses scandal – are those concerning the way Warmist scientists may variously have manipulated or suppressed evidence in order to support their cause.

graph from unaltered data

It is outrageous for purportedly non-partisan scientists to do something like this. Although if one considers how politicized the debate on global warming has become and how much money is being poured on this kind of "research"--this is hardly surprising. Science is supposed to be about the raw data, so it is doubly alarming that respected scientists would so willingly fudge or try to hide results they don't like. This is not confined to Britain too.

From the Examiner

Climate scientists in New Zealand today accused the foremost climate-research institution in New Zealand of data manipulation of the same type as the East Anglia Climatic Research Institute (CRU) is alleged to have done.

The New Zealand Climate Science Coalition today issued this paper saying that a graph published by the New Zealand National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) is not only wrong but is the result of painstaking and unjustified adjustment of raw temperature data covering the period from 1853 through 2008, Ian Wishart of The Briefing Room announced today.
At issue is a claim by NIWA that the average temperature over New Zealand declined from 1853 to 1909 and then began to rise, and has been rising ever since, at an average rate of +0.92 degree (Celsius) per century.

However, unlike the case with the CRU, NIWA's raw data remain readily available, at least to climate scientists. Richard Treadgold, of the Climate Conversation Group, and his colleagues requested and obtained the data used to produce the NIWA graph. Using these data, they produced a graph of their own. Their graph, shown here, displays no such decline from 1853 to 1909 and consequently no such steep increase from 1909 through 2008 as that shown on the NIWA graph. Instead, according to the CSC, the linear trend is a negligibly gentle +0.06 degree per century since 1853.

Read more here:

So the hysteria over global warming is encouraged by these poor excuses for "scientists". I'm all for being a good steward of the earth we live in. I segregate my trash, use environment friendly light bulbs and such. But I knew there is something not quite right with this global warming bandwagon that we're supposed to climb onto without question. Remember how when the temperature started dropping enough for people to notice, they started calling it "climate change"? So the whole premise of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signing the Climate Change Act of 2009 just a month ago is a fraud? How very sad.

Update: UN climate change panel based claims on student dissertation and magazine article

Update 2.0: Climategate U-turn as scientist at centre of row admits: There has been no global warming since 1995

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Maguindanao massacre: Tragedy of Philippine politics

Politics in the Philippines is not for the faint of heart. The system is so corrupt I could count in one hand the politicians who are deemed honest enough to vote for. Most here see political power as their ticket to riches and family glory because once their terms end they could just 'transfer' their power to their wives, children, siblings etc. Sadly, these are done through elections and I suppose people voting for the devil they know is understandable but it doesn't make it less tragic. I'm a Christian so I'm naturally optimistic about things but today...

From the Inquirer

SANIAG, Maguindanao - Screams of anguish pierced the farming village of Saniag Tuesday as police pulled bodies from a mass grave, unearthing one of the most brutal political killings in Philippine history.

The victims had been dumped in the hastily dug graves on Monday, shortly after gunmen allegedly linked to a local political chief shot dead at least 46 of them from close range with what police said were M-16 assault rifles.

...from a small party of mostly female opposition politicians and a large group of accompanying journalists who were abducted on Monday morning as they embarked on a trip to an electoral office.

Several hours after the abduction, the military found the victims' six-vehicle convoy just off the lonely unpaved road of Saniag along with 22 bodies that had been dumped close by.

The southernmost part of the country has always been restive. Violence is normal, just part of life I thought, the Muslim insurgency there has been going on even before I was born. Having lived most of my life in Luzon the largest, most prosperous island in the Philippines it was easy to shrug off the news coming out of Mindanao. It's so far away from Manila, this city girl couldn't relate to the myriad of issues they are facing there. Even when separatist groups bombed trains in the capital and killed people just a few years ago, those were rare enough that after cursing the terrorist b*st*rds for their perfidy I went right back to my apathy. Out of sight, out of mind you know.

This latest barbaric act though is something else. I'm at a loss for words. These savages abducted and killed 46 people on their way to filing a certificate of candidacy for a politician to run for governor of Maguindanao province. Apparently the little tyrant governor there wanted his son to 'inherit' his governorship unopposed. People would do something like this for political power? There's never an election season in the Philippines without killings and all but never like this. What kind of animals are these murderers? What has this country become when merely filing papers to run for office is seen as a sin so egregious one has to kill for it? It makes me very sad for my country.

Update: death toll now at 57
 Update 2.0: Videos about the massacre victims:

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