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| From Malacanan |
The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power,
And all that beauty, all that wealth e’er gave,
Awaits alike th’ inevitable hour:-
The paths of glory lead but to the grave.
-Thomas Gray, “Elegy Written in a Country Church-Yard.”
Thanks to Arnold Clavio and Vicky Morales, I was able to watch their network’s coverage of President-elect Aquino leaving his Time Street residence, dressed in a long-sleeved camisa chino. By the time his convoy (which stopped at red lights) reached the Palace, he was already dressed in a baro. The trip from Times St. to the Palace took something like 15 minutes instead of the close to an hour originally allocated according to the Official Program.
The President-elect alighted from his vehicle at Bonifacio Hall (usually referred to by its old name, the Premier Guesthouse), where President Corazon Aquino held office and where her son will also hold office. Meanwhile, over at the Palace, the outgoing cabinet hung around the “Pacto de Sangre” of Luna near the main stairs, waiting for President Arroyo. President Arroyo, dressed in an ecru terno, then shook hands with her departing official family and undertook descending the main stairs for the last time as President of the Philippines.
President Arroyo and President-elect Aquino then shook hands and departed for the Quirino Grandstand. In the coming days, people will be asking them what (if anything) they said to each other during their brief car ride to Rizal Park.
A cheerful roar came from the crowd when the presidential convoy arrived, and upon alighting from Car No. 1, the two went to their respective daises, for the military rendering its last honors to President Arroyo.
The “President’s March” was played, a 21 gun salut boomed out, and President Arroyo proceeded to review the troops as the band played “Atin Cu Pung Singsing.”
As the military honors were being given, the Vice President-elect’s special electric jeep arrived, and there’s been some undue controversy over this. Some people took it to mean the Vice President-elect barged in on the scene to steal the show.
At the time, I thought it was bungling of the protocol; the Vice President-elect is supposed to arrive ahead of the President-elect (as has been the tradition since the 1949 Quirino Inaugural; at the Quezon inaugural in 1935 the President-elect arrived ahead of the Vice President-elect).
What seems to have happened was this. The Presidential Party arrived about twenty minutes ahead of schedule -and it was the Vice President-elect who actually arrived on cue.
I noticed that what the Vice President-elect chose to do was the correct thing: he waited in his vehicle for the military honors to conclude, and with it, President Arroyo shaking hands with President-elect Aquino, and then getting into her private vehicle: at which point the President-elect went up to the ceremonial platform. Because of the circumstances surrounding the early arrival of the Presidential Party and the arrival of the Vice President-elect, it would have been unseemly for him to sprint up ahead of the President-elect; so he went up after the President-elect.
All in all, it was a courteous solution to an unintended snafu.
An interesting note was the reaction of the crowd -the official set crowding the bleachers of the Grandstand, and the public gathered across the Grandstand- to President Arroyo’s arrival and throughout the Military Honors portion.
I can’t say people jeered, or booed (at least from my vantage point) but there was a kind of highly enthusiastic applause that became particularly cheerful first, when she arrived, second, when the final honors began, then when she trooped the line and finally, when she shook hands with the President-elect and when her convoy departed. I did hear many people lustily saying “goodbye!”
Another interesting note is that some reporters told me President Arroyo twice refused to shake hands with President-elect Aquino at the Quirino Grandstand; I haven’t seen the footage and couldn’t see their interaction from my vantage point.
The Inaugural Program then commenced with an extremely moving rendition of the national anthem featuring Charice Pempengco and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Ryan Cayabyab. This was followed by the invocation.
The Madrigal Singers sang “Bayan Ko,” and then the Apo Hiking Society performed a song, and then Ogie Alcasid and friends performed the Inaugural Song.
At this point, the Senate President rose to read (with great vigor) the dispositive portions of the Proclamation of Congress announcing the results of the election. This was supposed to be followed by the oath-taking of the Vice President-elect, then the President-elect’s oath taking, followed by the military giving a salute and then the Inaugural Address.
Originally, the ceremonial to be followed conformed to tradition: no musical number was supposed to follow the Senate President; then a musical medley was inserted, then, upon the reiteration of the protocol to be followed, the song numbers were moved so that they would precede the Senate President’s reading.
However, since the whole thing started ahead of time, there would have been something like a 45 minute gap between the reading of the proclamation and the administration of the oaths of office, since as much as possible the President-elect is supposed to take his oath or conclude it, at high noon.
So the organizers improvised (this also happened during the Ramos Inaugural), to stretch things out for the purposes of the time specified by the Constitution. Personally, I think all the singing added a festive element to the proceedings and the public generally enjoyed themselves.
The Vice President-elect then took his oath, followed by the President-elect. A bystander told me the President finished taking his oath a few minutes before noon (this has happened in previous inaugurals). At this point, the military band kicked in, with its four ruffles and flourishes followed by “Mabuhay,” as a 21 gun salute boomed out; two choppers thundered overhead and scattered yellow flower petals over the crowd, which was a pretty sight indeed.
Then the President delivered his Inaugural Address. With introduction, applause, pauses, the speech ended up 21 minutes long.
After volunteers read their “Panata sa Pagbabago,” President Aquino was then given honors by the armed forces, and inspected the honor guard. He then proceeded to the Palace.
Then things started running behind schedule; he inducted his cabinet into office at around 3:20 PM. He then began his first cabinet meeting.
Tonight, there will be an Inaugural Reception for foreign delegations and the diplomatic corps and other officials who will pay their respects to the new chief executive. First comes the sole visiting head of state, the President of East Timor, followed by foreign delegations, the diplomatic corps, and other officials and guests. The President receives the visitors in the Music Room, where they are presented to the President individually. After extending their congratulations to the President, guests proceed to Rizal Hall where cocktails are served.
When all guests have had a chance to be presented to the President, he proceeds to Rizal Hall, where he will deliver a short speech and offer a toast to the delegations, diplomats, and dignitaries.
After that, he will go to attend the Inaugural Concert at the Quezon Memorial Circle.
nick, funny how you think Obama won because of his color. A lot of people credit him for breaking the tough racial barrier.
No need for crystal balls here. I just wanted to say that it was unfair of you to say that Aquino is popular while Obama is hated because of the time frame used. Obama, in fact, was more popular when he too was just starting. I am not hoping for Pnoy’s success. I am trying to help him by pointing out his faults.
SoP, the pesky part of Wangwang is Pnoy’s creation. He can crush it with a snap of his fingers anytime he wills it. All he has to do is accept the exemption granted to his office. No need for Omudsman and etc. This is precisely what’s wrong with your idea. You want to solve a problem by creating more problems. So, who will police the additional people you propose to hire?
I was referring to wangwang use by mayors, congressment, etc. They can’t be policed with present level of personnel.
Whoever’s policing them now will police them when their numbers increase.
To say that multiplying their numbers will create more problems, therefore does not justify structurally changing them, is just patently false. It will solve more problems.
ang gagaling nyong mag criticize kay PNoy. all of you have this notion that you have the greatest suggestion on where to start looking for a solution with the problems inherent in the Philippines.
yet you fail to see (BIG TIME) that your proposed solutions, harping out issues like strengthening the DOJ, policy on wang-wang use, budget issues etc, are just bits and pieces of the greater problem.. anything that seems to fall short on your expected approach to a solution is ineptitude.. gawd! kayo na lang sana naging presidente.
i did support PNoy, and so far, its not ineptitude that i see (not yet anyway) on handling pressing concerns that people think is a priority. for him, he sees to to it that getting the right people (again arguable if they really have vested interests in such positions) to move his agenda forward is just as equally important..
Amadeo states:
Unlucky for Amadeo that a few Filipinos do not have the patience. Cecilia R.V. Quisumbing, current officer in charge of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), writes: “Impunity persists because of weak prosecution and lack of convictions” Quisumbing said. “We urge President Aquino to unequivocally declare that killings of dissidents, activists and media are against the Aquino government policy and to instruct the military and the police to pro-actively stop such practices by ‘rogues in uniform’ and go after such violators within their own ranks,” the commissioner said.
And Bayan writes about Baldomero, the 145th Bayan Muna member to fall victim to extrajudicial killings in the country and the first activist and elected local government official slain under the (Benigno) Aquino administration,
“…Fernando Baldomero should be the first and last activist to be killed under the Aquino regime. Not one more activist killing. That is our challenge to the new President. The killings must stop. He must send a strong message to his troops that the killings are unacceptable,” said Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr.
Noynoy-administration should just work with a quota of 4 a month. Four-a-month translates to 48 a year or 288 human rights/media killings over Noynoy 6 year term. 288 will be a dramatic improvement over the 900-plus victims (media- and human-rights activists’ killings or desaparecidos) under the GMA administration.
Will Noynoyistas be supportive of 4-a-month quota?
UP n Grad states:
‘Unlucky for Amadeo that a few Filipinos do not have the patience.’
Unlucky only if I live in the Philippines.
to amadeo: wishing you enjoyable post-middle-age years whether you are now in Melbourne or Calgary, Dallas or Baltimore or Nashville.
HoMeR, where do we begin? When things are already out of control, like the political appointees at the foreign service?
They have no business staying any minute longer than Gloria. What unfinished business are they talking about? Is there anything they can do that their assistants, who are supposedly holding career positions, can’t do better?
The “fine tuned” GO1 deprived us of the services of professionals even if only in the brief period of transition. It effectively rewarded the inept and opportunists who desperately held their post for personal interests. Now they must be giggling and jeering at their comrades who were able to wind up their job job and step down when their time came, as any decent man would. The mangled GO1 also brought up legal questions.
All this happened because Pnoy retained the services of the who is well past his prime. He also allowed too much political appointees under his watch whose only qualification is Gloria.
I take umbrage of Cecilia R.V. Quisumbing’s and Bayan Muna’s stance that
– the killing being political in nature is a foregone conclusion and that
– the killing should be the last activist killing ever.
First of all, these killings should be treated as police matters first before conclusions on the political nature are assumed, despite the finding of the Melo Commission years ago.
In this respect, Noynoy promised more police, so we should be hopeful that investigations into this and future killings will be met with more procedural momentum rather than media overreactions.
Regarding the Melo Commission, I have an idea which I don’t believe was listed by the commission in its list of reform suggestion.
My suggestion is for the military to be taught Political Science 101 regarding the spectrum of political thought. It seems like they’re teaching those young kids in PMA that activists ,can be lumped together with communists. They should be taught the whole political spectrum of:
Extreme Left-Far Left-Leftist-Left of Center-Center-Right of Center-Rightist-Far Right-Extreme Right
and know that they couldn’t lump the right of center Bayan Muna with the extreme right CPP/NPA in their insurgency strategy.
Maybe they could also teach a refresher course to current soldiers. I say this because it’s a more congenial way for Noynoy to raise the issue without lowering soldier moral.
edit:and know that they couldn’t lump the left of center Bayan Muna with the extreme left CPP/NPA in their insurgency strategy.
Also, they could teach the soldiers the limits of chain of command.
They should know what should be acceptable orders and that they can refuse certain orders (like killing civilians) and that the president will back them up with these “transgressions” to chain of command.
A good PR move would be for the president to award a medal of honor to a soldier who refuses to follow an order to kill activists. This would send a message to the soldiers.
“nick, funny how you think Obama won because of his color. A lot of people credit him for breaking the tough racial barrier.”-taxj
taxj, nothing funny there. It was a fact that 97% of all black American voters voted for Obama, probably the latino voters too, while the whites voted 50/50. Now tell me,taxj, if those votes have nothing to do with skin color.
Hindi ba ang “pwede na” ay hindi na pwede? That’s the self-imposed yardstick for our new government. So the public has to be more vigilant and exacting, in order to make sure that our leaders live up to those standards. 🙂
nick, did anyone say that Obama’s votes had nothing to do with color? You say he won because of color. Would you then say
that the Americans would vote with the same fervor for any other black candidate? And, given your stats, would you still unconditionally say that Pnoy is popular while Obama is hated?
Pnoy retained DFA Secretary whose only virtue was a slip of the tongue before the elections.
“nick, did anyone say that Obama’s votes had nothing to do with color?”-taxj
taxj, are you now agreeing with me that Obama’s votes has something to do with his skin color, and that he won the election because 97% of black American voters voted for him?
“You say he won because of color. Would you then say
that the Americans would vote with the same fervor for any other black candidate?”-taxj
My answer to your hepothetical question would be speculation, but I don’t want to speculate. Suffice it to say that 97% of black voters in America voted for Obama, and it seems you are agreeing with me that the votes had something to do with Obama’s skin color.
“And, given your stats, would you still unconditionally say that Pnoy is popular while Obama is hated?”-taxj
Yes. The election showed Noynoy was popular, still is, and while Obama was popular before and during the American presidential election, American blogsites that I’ve been to showed majority of present American bloggers and commenters are dissatisfied with Obama and with his kind of governance. I’m not sure if those are reflections of all American sentiments in general, I have no way of knowing since I’ve never been to America, but we may know after the American election this November.
“Pnoy retained DFA Secretary whose only virtue was a slip of the tongue before the elections.”-taxj
I’m not in favor of Noynoy giving Romulo any cabinet position, sana sipain siya. Noynoy needs young and proactive people to help him in the implementation of the promises he made. I wish he succeeds, but I think Romulo will just be a baggage in the administration.
nick, I think we can’t go on with this. I feel liked having to first review my lessons in logic. Or perhaps it is my fault that I can’t communicate my ideas well enough.
Leadership-by-example Part 2: Should you or should you not do what it takes to get to the church on time?
Pag nagka-brownout, okay na… huwag na, puwedeng ma-leyt.
http://www.gmanews.tv/largevideo/latest/62858/qtv-aquino-arrives-late-in-mass-at-manila-cathedral
nick, how nice. You just used one word to express what I’ve been trying to say all along – baggage. Yet it seems that he took in a bit too much of them with him to the palace. And we have yet to see most of the flock.
Mind you, I like Pnoy too, not just because I have to. Like most of us, I too would like him to succeed. Who else could we look up to? But he has to have good people to carry him through. His heart alone cannot bring us far enough.
Talking about excess baggage, the new Customs chief is a certified golf cheat, suspended by his own golf club, while the recently appointed NEDA chief has been sued for tax evasion and financial finagling by one of the most prominent lawyers in the country.
Remarkably, both officials do not deny their transgressions. Their only defense has been that someone other than they did the cheating, without their knowledge. Yet they signed on to those transgressions. What happened to command responsibility? Is that the standard they bring into their new positions?
Cheating at golf may seem like a minor matter. But it reflects on the character of the man. If one can cheat at golf, what more on the big stuff? Besides, as the owner of an international cargo forwarding business, there are obvious conflicts of interest.
Malacanang is also considering extending immunity to former Agriculture Secretary Cito Lorenzo. Lawyer Harry Roque expresses his apprehensions:
“Cito Lorenzo is back. Apparently with impunity. He was seen partying in the birthday of one who has become very powerful in the current dispensation. And yes, he was seen hobnobbing even with the most powerful official of the land.
Why the sudden homecoming? Does this have anything to do with the fact that one Martin Ignacio Lorenzo was declared to have given 20 million to the right candidate? I hope not.”
Cito Lorenzo also happens to be very close to a Presidential cousin who officially donated P100 million to the campaign. What goes around, comes around? 🙂
No to state witness! Itigil na ang pag-balimbing! Reinstate the death penalty and make it the only punishment for commiting graft.
A Cheater for the Customs Comissioner? And defended by a Cabinet Sercretary who probably cheated on taxes as well. Are there levels of cheating? CHEATING IS CHEATING!!!!!
It seems the new dispensation has forgotten his earliest endorsers when no one in his party believed in him. It’s sad that those who had endorsed him had been waylaid by the LP and the hyatt 10 of Mar Roxas. Sad but human memories are really short.
Cito Lorenzo also happens to be very close to a Presidential cousin who officially donated P100 million to the campaign. What goes around, comes around?
————————————
100 million my ass! Check your sources, this is not true…sheesh…
Secretary Purisima: This Customs Commissioner is a poor golfer, but a good accountant. Yet he can’t count his own score correctly, and one can cheat for him without his knowing it! Our Finance Chief is missing the whole point of the Pnoy fever. It’s honesty, stupid!
Considering his kind of thinking, if thinking was involved here at all, I hereby move that Secretary Purisima be declared as baggage to the Aquino administration. The first person to second this motion… May 200 ka.
side-topic:
Hike in LRT fares under consideration???
By Ronnel Domingo Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:01:00 07/08/2010
FINANCE SECRETARY CESAR V. Purisima yesterday said his department was not pushing for a hike in Light Rail Transit fares, although this was among government fees being reviewed amid efforts to raise revenue. “I did not say that the fare should be raised,” Purisima said in a press briefing.
Purisima said funding could come either from a hike in taxes or an increase in users’ fee. “After all, there is no such thing as a free ride,” the finance chief said.
Oh, wasn’t it only a few weeks ago that COMELEC released the official list of campaign donors?
Let me see, I recall a news item that said:
“PRESIDENT-ELECT Benigno Aquino III received P440 million in campaign donations for the May 10 elections, P100 million of which came from his uncle, PLDT heir Antonio Cojuangco.
Based on documents from the Elections Commission, the donations to Aquino’s campaign fund were all in cash.
Former Environment Eecretary Fulgencio Factoran gave P20 million, as did Martin Ignacio Lorenzo of Pancake House, and Bu Hong Chiong of Ozamiz City.
Aquino’s sister, TV host Kris Aquino, was listed with a P15 -million contribution, while Leonardo Javier Jr. of Andoks Chicken was listed as having donated P14 million.
Listed as having donated P10 million each were former Fnance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Jose Ramon Aliling, Alex Tanwangco, Jose Mari Gamboa, Elena Lim and David Lim of Solid Group of Companies, Abeto Uy of Philsteel Group of Companies, Felix Ang of Cats Motors, Felipe Diego, Felix Chung, Jose Antonio Larrauri, and Gerardo Esquivel.”
OK, it was a Presidential uncle, rather than a cousin who donated the P100 million. But the numbers are correct. And, the fact is, that the Presidential uncle happens to be a close friend and ally of former Secretary Lorenzo. They are both big boosters and alumni of Ateneo de Manila, members of the Young Presidents Club and “barkada” after hours. They also both happen to be members of the Billionaires club. It’s all really a clubby, chummy atmosphere. As Imelda Marcos once said: “It isn’t what you know, it’s whom you know”. 🙂
Man, if I had 10 or 100 million, I’ll retire and live like a king with bitches all around.
But I guess, if you have that kind of money and feel the need to gain more power and riches, you must be impotent. Viagra must have no more effect on you.
The campaign donor thing is the hypiocrisy of all hypocrieies of the of Noynoy Administration and ir supporter. People were fooled and was condition to fear Villar becuase he is using lots and lots of money. Piso piso were ask from the people for donation and telling them that Nonoy campaign has no Money.
Whole Aquino presidency was really a BIG BIG LIE.
And supporter of Nonoy like Ramrod are just as hypocrite as their idol!!!!!Yet ang yayabang pa rin kung idepensa si Nonoy.
Antwats Im still waiting ti be surprised by the Noynoy [presidency. I woudl indeed be very sruprise if it will suceed!
The fakeness of it all!!!!!!!
Im still waiting to be surprised by Noynoy And indeed I will be very surpised if as Carl said Noynoy betrays his kind and suceeds.
BTW heres the link Ramrod, basahin mong mabuti ha at ng mahimasmasan ka. That way mabawasasan na rin ang kaybangan mo dito. And be objective in your posting and comments here.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100617-275970/Tonyboy-gave-P100M-leads-Aquinos-96-big-campaign-donors
Those poor and middle class people conned into donating 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 pesos must be feeling like idiots right now. Hahaha.
ramrod must be one of them. Haha.
That’s why you shouldn’t listen to blind optimists and it’s the reason why it’s good to frequent these posts and blogs and listen to contrarian political views.
It will literally save you money.
alden40, fakeness and hypocrisy as characterized by his refusal to use the wangwang? I didn’t see it that way. But then again, why not?
DFA Secretary Alberto Romulo’s marching orders from Gloria: politicize the foreign service. So obedient was he that he carried it on to the Pnoy regime!
If Manolo doesn’t get the press secretaryship, it will not be our fault. Pnoy will love us because he has one compelling reason for doing so. We tell him his faults, and we do it not out of spite but out of love, for the country.
I am a convert for Noynoy. He has no rival, has he? As soon as he stops bungling things up, I’ll share with him a sure fire formula for attaining food sufficiency in three years.
“Those poor and middle class people conned into donating 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 pesos must be feeling like idiots right now. Hahaha.”-SoP
Why would donating a few pesos to a movement or candidate with the intention of donating for a cause that would result to the betterment of ones country be a cause for embarassment? So what if some donors donated hundred millions and some one peso,or five, or ten, it’s the same…the intent is good…no reason to feel like an idiot. One has more reason to be proud. There are more compelling reasons to feel like an idiot, one of which is criticising a sure sign of patriotism.
congrats new DILG secretary Jesse Robredo! tubod kami saimo!
next, MLQ3 is mysteriously missing… near to accepting an appointment soon Manolo?
Jao, an manga maorag na tawo kaipuhan talaga nasa puwesto. Kaipuhan kan satuyang banwa. :).
“Why would donating a few pesos to a movement or candidate with the intention of donating for a cause that would result to the betterment of ones country be a cause for embarassment?”
It’s embarrassing because the common man was made to believe they were solely financing this campaign to their benefit.
We now know that the collective donations of their hard-earned money is but a small fraction. The real money, and payback, will go to the big donors.
“So what if some donors donated hundred millions and some one peso,or five, or ten, it’s the same…the intent is good…no reason to feel like an idiot. One has more reason to be proud.”
Do you really believe a multi-millionaire donating tens and hundreds of millions of pesos has good intentions? Are you that naive?
Oh I’m a multi-millionaire. What should I do with these spare hundreds of millions lying around? Donate them directly to the poor? No, that’s too effective! I think I will fund a presidential bid by Noynoy and maybe he will help the poor instead (if he wins). Jeez.
“There are more compelling reasons to feel like an idiot, one of which is criticising a sure sign of patriotism.”
Right, so we now equate donating to politicians with patriotism.
Have you ever heard of campaign finance reform? Do you think the Philippines, # 140 of 180 corrupt countries, is immune to this global scourge to democracy. I suppose vested interests stealing elections happens only in other countries. We must be really, really special.
You must be a genius Nick!
Jess Robledo, Manolo? Wow! I’m inspired. There’s a website called Dear Noynoy, so why not a Dear Jess? If interested please email me at [email protected] and see what we can come up with as we get to know each other.
Finally, a real fresh face in the Cabinet in person of Robredo.
But Cito Lorenzo appointment is now being criticiicez by Rina Jimenez David in connection with the P20 Million donation of his brother…
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20100708-280026/With-friends-like-these
“DON’T know how to characterize Lorenzo at this point: a potential state witness or a returning fugitive from justice.
Lorenzo has said he was impelled to leave by threats to his life and on his family, and a desire to spend more bonding time with them. This in sum is what P-Noy claimed he talked about with Lorenzo in a phone conversation while the former secretary was in exile. Maybe it makes sense to conclude that, hearing of Aquino’s electoral victory, Lorenzo decided to face the music before a “friendly” administration.
It doesn’t help that Lorenzo’s brother, who heads the family-owned Del Monte Corp., was a contributor—to the tune of about P20 million—to P-Noy’s campaign. That has led some conspiracy theorists to sew together a theory of the “crime”: that in exchange for the contribution, Cito Lorenzo would enjoy immunity when the case was re-opened; and that in fact the party was simply a ruse for P-Noy and Lorenzo to meet and discuss the terms of his “surrender.”
The facts are undeniable, and yet the story sounds implausible. For one thing, the campaign contribution was duly reported and attributed to Lorenzo’s brother. If it was indeed made to facilitate Lorenzo’s clearance, surely they would have found a way to mask the money’s provenance.”
“Do you really believe a multi-millionaire donating tens and hundreds of millions of pesos has good intentions?”-SoP
I’m not sure. Maybe some has good intentions, maybe some has none, who knows, I’m no psychic. What I’m sure is, if SoP is a multi-millionaire he will never have good intention, that’s for sure. He said so.
If I donated ten pesos, or a hundred pesos as contribution in assuring that Noynoy won the election for the good of my country, I’m not going to be like SoP who will be expecting something in return from the candidate…maybe a political appointment, or a DPWH contract. Therefore I’ll be proud and not feel like an idiot.
“You must be a genius Nick!”
Thank you, SoP. But no, not at all, far from it. Just a very ordinary dude using a bit of coconut, or logic, or some bit of common sense, whatever it takes to make some sense. You should try it sometimes.
“AQUINO GOVT RAISES DEFICIT SPENDING BY ANOTHER P32B”
“THE Aquino administration has decided to continue the previous administration’s strategy of pump-priming the economy and raised the budget deficit target for 2010 by another P31.8 billion.
The decision effectively increased the deficit target to P325 billion, equivalent to 3.9 percent of the gross domestic product, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said Friday after a meeting of the Development Budget Coordination Committee, which sets the government’s macroeconomic assumptions.”
So much for pledges of austerity and budget balancing. Be prepared for what comes next! First, the BIR witch-hunt. Then, after they realize they can’t squeeze blood from stone, the tax increases. 🙂
Carl,
Oh well. Basta ako, Ill just wait for Noynoy to surprise me.
Congrats Manolo for being appointed on Palace Media group team.
In relation to alden’s comment above:
“PRESIDENT AQUINO has finally organized his own communications group to act as Press Secretary and articulate his policies after a frenetic 10 days in power.
Mr. Aquino has tapped trusted allies—former Transportation Undersecretary and BusinessWorld columnist Herminio “Sonny” Coloma and ANC anchor Ricky Carandang—to head the group.
Inquirer columnist Manolo Quezon III is also part of the group.
A source close to the President confirmed the designation of the three men to the Palace communications team. He said Carandang and Quezon would be in charge of “messaging” and Coloma, “dissemination.”
The source also said that for the meantime, none of the three incoming officials would hold the title of Press Secretary.”
the only recourse the Aquino administration has to solve the fertilizer fund scam is to file an impeachment complaint against Guttierez. once removed, it can appoint an Ombudsman with more integrity in one finger than Guttierez has in her clitoris
the new Ombudsman can then re-investigate the case and declare Lorenzo qualified to be a state witness.
re Manolo being appointed to the media team of Malacanang, congrats Manolo. will that mean you’ll have to close down this blog? i know you’ll have to close the comments section at least and discontinue political commentary. the only sections i see possibly continuing are those related to historical documentation and historical analysis..
What could be the reason why Manolo should close this blog? There is no question of unethical or illegal conduct for government official to put up own personal blog, is there? The only reason I can think of is time constrain, but this blog is a good sounding board for Manolo in crafting his strategy not only with regard the press office functions and objectives but also as probable presidential political adviser, such position entailing constant close proximity and contact with the president.
ahaha. natawa naman ako dito sa report ng inquirer:
“The creation of the communications group took longer than expected due to the reported infighting for leadership between the LP, which is said to be backing Carandang, and Maria Montelibano, who is reportedly pushing for Coloma, according to an Inquirer source who refused to be identified for lack of authority to speak to the media.”
lol. haha. no need to say kung sino Inquirer source. hahaha!
@nick, you can’t continue a running political commentary if you’re acting in the capacity of press secretary (or a member of his team). that’s just plain conflict of interest. the office of the press secretary can have its own website and issue the president’s position on various matters on that website, but members of the team should not have blogs with content touching politics. perhaps on a subject totally unrelated to politics, pwede. like kung gawin itong travel blog ni Manolo.
Gotta give props to Carl Cid Inting, who predicted Manolo will be getting a position in Noynoy’s admin in exchange for running quite a few pro-Noynoy articles in the past few months.
It’d be a shame if Manolo closed down this blog. Manolo is probably the only blogger who let’s commenters run wild.
Others are quick to censor commenters. I’ve been to a few blogs where comments were banned just because the blog owner does not approve of the poster’s ideas. It’s not even a matter of banning inappropriate comments, just downright banning comments contrary to the blog owner’s opinions.