I received an email forwarding an article purportedly written by Rodolfo Noel Lozada, Jr, more commonly known as Jun, in relation to the aborted 329 million dollars national broadband network (NBN) deal with ZTE Corp. of China. You must have read so much about this so there’s no need to explain its background.

Just today, I stumbled upon a blog (marroxas2010.blogspot.com) which claims to the “dedicated to the people who want to ENCOURAGE and SUPPORT Senator Mar Roxas as the next President of the Philippines.” It also claims to be the “1st blog of the 2010 Philippine Presidential Elections.” Two things immediately crossed my mind.

The recent talks on reviving the plan to implement a national identification (ID) system brings two cases back into the spotlight. In the first case, Ople vs. Torres, the Supreme Court struck down Administrative Order 308 which seeks to implement the “National Computerized Identification Reference System.” In the second case, Kilusang Mayo Uno vs. Director-General [...]

Flying a kite, or kiting, in politics means floating something, like a policy or an idea, to gauge the people’s reaction, with the handler keeping a distance to allow deniability of involvement. Any government uses this political tool.

Some say that the military assault against the group of Senator Antonio Trillanes at the Peninsula Manila is an overkill. Rounds from a Caliber 50 machine gun were fired at the main entrance of the hotel and an armored personnel carrier ran through the front door. After watching the video, would you say that it’s [...]

In light of the military action against Senator Antonio Trillanes, Gen. Danilo Lim and their companions at the Peninsula Hotel in Makati City yesterday, 29 November 2007, the executive department announced a curfew in Metro Manila and its surrounding environs, to take effect between 12:00 a.m. to 5 a.m. of 30 November 2007.

The Magdalo group has taken over a hotel in Makati City. Again. On 27 July 2003, more than 300 members of the Magdalo faction took over the Oakwood Premier Luxury Apartments in Makati City. The Magdalo faction, led by Navy Lt. (SG) Antonio Trillanes IV, announced their grievances against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, including graft [...]

Tonyo Cruz talked about the reaction of bloggers on the Batasan blast which killed Congressman Wahab Akbar, among others. The PNP has just confirmed that the blast was caused by an improvised explosive device.

Entries, in the form of concept papers, are now being accepted for the Panibagong Paraan 2008 Project Grant Competition — a nationwide search for innovative ideas to address development challenges. This year’s theme is: “Building Partnerships for Effective Local Governance.” Winners will be extended grants of up to PhP 1,000,000 to turn their innovative ideas [...]

There’s a controversy on the proposal to pardon former President Joseph Estrada. Those in favor of the grant of Presidential pardon argue that Erap has suffered enough, that he is already 70 years old and that, in any event, PGMA has absolute discretion to pardon anyone she chooses. Those who oppose the pardon, on the [...]