Editorial

There is no widespread indignation at the arrest of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Budget Secretary Florencio Abad observes that the "people power" of the magnitude that can unseat presidents is on the side of the current president. That seems to be holding and, barring major missteps on the part of the government, is not expected to wane throughout this Arroyo saga.

Jail the Arroyos fast or bow down down to a final Supreme Court decision that is widely expected to favor the Arroyos and reap the wrath of the Filipino people for falling short in preventing the former first couple's escape from impending prosecution.

These are the options left for the Aquino administration in dealing with the Arroyos who the Filipinos like to hold to account for alleged high crimes during their term.

Let's just move on and let bygones be bygones.

In another world and another time this is an admirable adage to live by - but not in the Philippine politics  in 2011.

"Let's move on" was the standard triumphant by-word among Arroyo allies after each successful effort at thwarting an impeachment attempt against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

You heard it from bishops and politicians.

The bishops came out cleaner from yesterday's Senate hearing, but maybe only enough to allow them to restart with clean slate in their relationship with the government and, more importantly, the Filipino people.

Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos' humble admission of some "lapse of judgement" in requesting for a vehicle from former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is a courageous act borne out of deep reflection.

By this time, out of chaos things might have begun to sink in for Davao City Mayor Sarah Duterte who is a lawyer. The punches she threw at Sheriff Abe Andres was felt by an entire nation. While sheriffs are not the kind of figures the man in the street can identify with, it is not lost that Andres is just an ordinary guy doing his job.

Watching live coverage of the Senate investigation of the PCSO mess, the Filipinos get to know that a sitting president can easily do magic with people's money by converting line item allocation in an agency's budget into an intelligence fund and spend the money with impunity, beyond the reach of government auditors.

Kudos to Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) chairwoman Margie Juico and Director Aleta Tolentino for bringing this to the light of day, including how loto and sweepstakes income could be lost to gifts or even bribes to favored supporters.

For the fifth year, millions across the globe last March 26 have turned off their lights for 60 minutes starting at 8:30 PM to join Earth Hour 2011. Known landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Sydney Opera House in Australia, the Christ the Redeemer statue at Rio de Janeiro, the Empire State Building in New York went dark to highlight the fight against climate change's adverse effects.

Barangays from the Partido district or the Fourth Congressional District of Camarines Sur had been reported to have submitted resolutions to their congressman, Rep. Arnulfo “Noli” Fuentebella, seeking the secession of the district's 10 municipalities in order to establish a new province, Eastern Camarines or Camarines Oriental. The reported reason for this effort is in order for these municipalities' development agenda be prioritized and pursued by the would-be new province.

In the end, Angelo Reyes cast himself as a tragic hero besieged by envious foes and abandoned by erstwhile friends and allies. He believed himself unjustly singled out in a Senate probe in which he was being made to be “the face of military corruption.” Declaring that “living life without honor is a tragedy bigger than death itself,” he shot himself on the chest; some say directly to his heart. A decorated soldier, a retired but still influential politician, former AFP Chief of Staff and former Arroyo Cabinet Secretary, Angelo “Angie” Reyes took his own life while embroiled in a controversy involving the institution he served and flourished in.

Along the road in Barangay Pacol, Naga City, a PNP checkpoint was recently established wherein motorcyclists were being made to stop to present their drivers’ licenses and vehicle registration. Obviously a measure against crime incidents that involve motorcycle-riding felons, the PNP checkpoints at Naga City offer the comfort of police visibility to a palpably distraught public after experiencing the occurrence of a series of criminal activities.