Maguindanao had seen the worst case of political linked killing in its history when 60 people were massacred last Monday on their way to the Election Commission in Shariff Aguak. The party was composed of Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu’s women family members along with media members and supporters. The team was dispatched to file the candidacy of the Vice Mayor to the gubernatorial race, which is still held by his long-time rival Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. As of posting, 52 of the bodies were already recovered. There are 4 more missing and another 4 in the custody of the authorities.

The families of these two political dynasties have already been involved in family exchanged killings in the past and until now, they are still at large. Maybe there are no compelling evidences because most locals are afraid to be associated with any of these families. They are known to retain armed body guards and even private armies, and yet, it seems they are not being held liable for that. Is that how democracy works in the Philippines?

The thing that stunned me the most is that the armed supporters of the Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr (as reported by those survivors) just left the excavating equipments they used in the area of the mass grave. Is that a simple mistake or a confident act of power?

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo finally got a return call from the United States of America President-elect Barrack Obama. The call’s purpose was to return the congratulatory message bid by Pres. Arroyo upon Obama’s triumph from the recently held U.S. elections.

To recall, Pres. Arroyo has been trying to contact and congratulate Obama for several times. She was not also given the chance to meet with him when she visited Chicago during the UN Conference ofr Interfaith Dialogue.

The said call happened on November 19, 2008 at around 3 in the morning. Other topic talked about by the two world leaders is the reassurance of the support and good relations between their two countries.

“It is a reassuranace on the cooperation that would take place between the Philippines and the US.” Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said in an interview.

The Issue:

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Saturday belied speculations that Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr lobbied for an extension of his post.

Government-run dzRB radio quoted Mrs Arroyo as saying that her decision stemmed from “consultations” with junior officers.

President Arroyo reportedly said that from a military standpoint, it would be better to have “continuity of leadership,” and not derail the campaign against the New People’s Army.

According to the dzRB report, Mrs Arroyo also said Esperon had been ready to step down, as his family returned from the United States to “celebrate” his retirement.

The report also said the three-month extension of Esperon’s term was also period that the government set on its heightened campaign against the NPA. - GMANews.TV/01/26/2008 | 02:55 PM

The Opinion:

Leadership and good management is certainly one of the attribute that would justify an individual’s work habit and advancement. Through the years, the Armed Forces of the Philippines have been balancing in both ends—accomplishments and failures. The former matter would consist on the notes of good conducts that are achieved though military campaigns and strategies which are greatly utilized by the force. However, not the whole military sector is standing on that post. There are still, as reality would dictate inevitable conditions that the force is being criticized because of its malfunctions. This proves the latter matter which is an immense disappointment for the part of the public.

Gen. Hermohenes Esperon deserves a not-so-perfect applaud from the people since through his term, he has manifested and enacted measures that solidify the county’s campaign against terrorism. This is seen through their anti-New People’s Army (NPA) crusade. Last quarter was a big disclosure for the country’s movements since there are no general threats and actions of terrorism.

Thus, the security issue is certainly relevant for a country that is experiencing major economic and financial changes. Without the comfort of the military precautions, I really would not think that we could little by little stabilize things. And for that matter, Gen. Esperon deserves a few more clenches.

The Issue:

A close ally of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Friday denied that administration allies in the House of Representatives were hatching a plot to oust Jose de Venecia Jr as the chamber’s speaker.

Ronaldo Puno, interior secretary and concurrent presidential political adviser, told reporters that there were no moves to oust De Venecia. “There is no need for reorganization” at the House, he said.

The statement comes on the heels of a meeting in Malacañang attended by about 100 administration congressmen Wednesday night. The meeting came on the eve of the second Senate hearing on the $329.48-million ZTE contract for the national broadband network project.

The House speaker’s son, businessman Jose “Joey” de Venecia III, has accused First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo of threatening him to “back off” from submitting a project bid.

One lawmaker told GMANews.TV on the condition of anonymity that unseating De Venecia was discussed during the meeting, but Mrs Arroyo did not initiate it.

However, Puno insisted that the meeting was simply a “show of support” for the President in the wake of the ZTE controversy.

As this developed, Puno said the younger De Venecia may have just “misunderstood” the First Gentleman’s remark to “back off.” – GMANews.TV 09/21/2007 | 12:25 PM

The Opinion:

Both of the two politicians (Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and House Speaker Jose de Venecia) are comrades since the recent national elections and I am not anymore surprised to hear that both of them are now in their moment of planning an enormous act of betrayal against each other. A meeting that is attended by some Congressmen won’t help the fact that there has been a continuous conflict between the two. And organizing such assembly means that the administration considers JDV a big threat. PGMA, be not afraid, you’re in a much higher position than him!

Suggestion: be not anymore concerned on the joyous friendship these two popular actors have. It’s much better for the Filipino people to think about the nerve-wrecking multi-million dollar ZTE contract for the NBN project. How this ANOMALOUS deal has been created and who are the people behind it?