Monthly Archives: November 2006

On May 28, 1991 President Václav Havel of Czechoslovakia accepted the Sonning Prize for his contribution to European civilization. The biennial prize has been awarded by the University of Copenhagen since 1950. This is the text of Havel’s acceptance speech, which contains a discussion on topics that are not unfamiliar to persons holding positions of power in the Philippines.
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The prize I’ve been honored with today is usually given to intellectuals, not to politicians. I am obviously what can be called an intellectual, but at the same time, fate has determined that I find myself — literally overnight — in what is called the world of high politics.

With your permission, I would like to take advantage of my unusual experience and try to cast a critical eye of an intellectual on the phenomenon of power as I have been able to observe it so far from the inside, and especially on the nature of the temptation that power represents. Read more »

Dean Jorge Bocobo has an interesting observation on the Supreme Court’s Resolution denying the motions to reconsider the dismissal of the petition for people’s initiative. The “minute resolution” pertinently reads:

Ten (10) Members of the Court reiterate their position, as shown by their various opinions already given when the Decision herein was promulgated, that Republic Act No. 6735 is sufficient and adequate to amend the Constitution thru a people’s initiative.

Now, does this single sentence constitute a reversal of the ruling in Santiago vs. COMELECincomplete, inadequate, or wanting in essential terms and conditions insofar as initiative on amendments to the Constitution is concerned? Read more »

I was surprised to see the huge warning printed on my friend’s pack of cigarette.

SMOKING KILLS.

Everybody knows that. The sign is very visible. It’s easy to read. I don’t know if anybody will listen. Read more »

. . . Complete liberty to comment on the conduct of public men is a scalpel in the case of free speech. The sharp incision of its probe relieves the abscesses of officialdom. Men in public life may suffer under a hostile and an unjust accusation; the wound can be assuaged with the balm of a clear conscience. A public officer must not be too thin-skinned with reference to comment upon his official acts. Only thus can the intelligence and dignity of the individual be exalted. Of course, criticism does not authorize defamation. Nevertheless, as the individual is less than the State, so must expected criticism be born for the common good. Rising superior to any official or set of officials, to the Chief Executive, to the Legislature, to the Judiciary – to any or all the agencies of Government – public opinion should be the constant source of liberty and democracy.”

Today, the Supreme Court denied with Finality the motions to reconsider its earlier decision dismissing the petition for People’s Initiative. In the words of the SC news release: Read more »

I wrote in January of this year that for at least an hour, everything stopped here in the Philippines. No traffic in the streets. No war between the military and the rebels. Crime rate was practically down to zero. No fighting in politics (but not the “politicking”). In my case, no lunch until around 3:00 p.m., after all the post-match shows were done. Read more »