Content about For Bikol and the World

“Secretary,” I greeted Jesse Robredo when I bumped into him after the 2010 Magsaysay Awards ceremonies on August 31, 2010, at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City.

We shook hands, and he joked that he had to “escape” or “maenot na ako” (go ahead) for his next appointment.

As usual he was unassuming although by then had made it from city mayor to a high cabinet official already. He remained friendly as ever.

On August 6, Congress voted viva voce to end debates on the RH Bill or House Bill No. 4244, “An Act Providing for a Comprehensive Policy on Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health, and Population and Development, and For Other Purposes.”

While the voting was originally scheduled for Aug. 7, it was rushed on Aug. 6, after members of congress were summoned to Malacañan. President Aquino reportedly told them to end all the talking. Thus, they voted quickly back in Congress that same day.

The RH Bill is couched in innocent-looking motherhood statements repetitive of established norms like gender equality, maternal health, or non-discrimination. But, it is actually built on a deceptive framework.

When President Noynoy Aquino or PNoy assumed office in 2010, he vowed to eradicate the so-called Wang-Wang mentality in government through his much ballyhooed Tuwid na Daan.

But recently, a lowly policeman found himself in the hot seat and the target of vengeful actions by the entire forces of government when he unwittingly blocked the presidential convoy.

Unfortunately, what was entirely missed in that incident was the question why should the president have priority over other roads users, especially private citizens like you and me. For is it not our democratic bedrock principle that no one is above the law?

Of course, we make way for emergencies and other similar situations. But what if PNoy were even just out for a date?

It's Independence Day once again. We ask as always when we salute the Flag that symbolizes our Nation: Are we really independent?

Have we been doomed by our own Act of Proclamation of Independence of the Filipino People that declared "independence" as a new Nation, but one under the protection of the United States of America which country in fact did not then recognize us?

Finally, the five-month impeachment trial of Chief Justice Corona will come to a close. Early next week, our senators-judges will render their verdict on whether or not Corona should be removed from office.

Of eight articles of impeachment the prosecution originally filed, only three remain. These are the charges for non-disclosure of assets and liabilities, bias for former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and the matter of the TRO by the Supreme Court against the Administration's travel ban on the former president. 

Certain legal precepts should guide our senators-judges--and by which we, the people, may also judge them.

There's been some renewed interest in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Corona with the "bombshell" testimony of Ombudsman Carpio-Morales. She presented the report to her of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) on Corona's alleged dollar deposits amounting to $10 million.

And with her appearance according to prosecution sympathizers, lead defense counsel Justice Cuevas finally found his match. Cuevas has been making mincemeat of the prosecutors since the start of trial. But that is not so much because of his legal acumen and being a former Supreme Court justice. Rather, prosecutors came for trial ill-prepared.

This early, our country is undoubtedly in election mode already. People are into all the preparations for the May 13, 2013 elections. And with elections, like war, everything is fair game.

A consequence of this shift would be to sideline the on-going impeachment trial of the Chief Justice. It’s not about him anymore despite his having been demonized no end by the administration and further publicly condemned by no less than President Aquino himself. Verily, the impeachment has become a political reality show for senators who would be running for re-election: Alan Peter Cayetano, Francis Escudero, Gregorio Honasan, Loren Legarda, Antonio Trillanes 4th, and Aquilino Pimentel III.

“God is good! 16 UPCAT passers. Our previous max was 12.”

A text from my sister, Marivic Carpio-Bernido, high school principal of the Central Visayan Institute Foundation (CVIF) in Jagna, Bohol, where she and her husband Chris employ their revolutionary “Dynamic Learning Program” (DLP).

President Aquino has challenged Chief Justice Corona to voluntarily open up his (Corona’s) alleged dollar accounts. But if you dare the other, why not start with your own self first?

The President can be the first to open up his own accounts, SALNs and ITRs. Then he can order the entire Executive Department to do likewise starting with his cabinet members—some of whom are already eyeing the 2013 elections. After all, transparency is his crown (“corona”) mantra of governance.

Article II of the Articles of Impeachment against Chief Justice Renato Corona reads:

“II. RESPONDENT COMMITTED CULPABLE VIOLATION OF THE CONSTITUTION AND/OR BETRAYED THE PUBLIC TRUST WHEN HE FAILED TO DISCLOSE TO THE PUBLIC HIS STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES, AND NET WORTH AS REQUIRED UNDER SEC. 17, ART. XI OF THE 1987 CONSTITUTION.”

Much public debate and media propaganda have been heaped on this charge to the point of demonizing the Chief Justice with supposed ill-gotten wealth.

President Aquinos’ continued tirades against our Supreme Court have hugged the headlines anew with the latest at the 1st National Criminal Justice Summit on Dec.5. But the president for his part has yet to report to his Boss his own responsibility for “executive justice.”

The administration of justice is not the exclusive domain of the courts. In fact, it is equally the job of the executive branch of our government. And if the president laments delayed justice, he might want to look first at his own executive agencies.

On Monday, July 25, President Aquino will deliver his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) to the joint session of Congress. As his “boss”, we may very well also asses what truly the state of our nation is.