Features

MANILA - Catholic priest Fr. Joe Dizon, convener of the anti-fraud and election monitoring group Kontra Daya, raised hell earlier this week over the Commission on Elections' (Comelec) accreditation of a partylist group that is, by its own declaration, a project initiated by an official of the Arroyo administration and a prominent ally of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Habang tinatangka kong sumulat ng papel na ito, pumasok ang "bagong balita" sa aking email mula sa isang yahoogroup na hindi man ako aktibong nakikisangkot , bahagi pa rin naman akong maituturing ng pangkat sapagkat patuloy pa rin akong tumatanggap ng mga balita, mensahe at kung anu-ano pang impormasyon na bumabaha sa worldwide web o sa internet.

SAN FERNANDO, Camarines Sur-In a thriving eatery along the National Highway in Naga City, there is one thing on display aside from kinalas-the distinctive hot broth prepared by mixing beef strips with noodles and spices.

Displayed conspicuously inside the eatery is a framed photograph of Camarines Sur first district Representative Diosdado Ignacio "Dato" Arroyo together with a man who is probably the owner of the place.

As the country opens a new year in its political life, one explores for a breath of hope and optimism. But optimism is borne out of one's ability to grapple with the problems that lie ahead and events that will yet unfold. The roots of these realities - others call it uncertainties - took shape in the year just past and even farther back.

MANILA - Magtatapos na ang ika-sampung taon pagkapresidente ni Gloria Arroyo, at matatag ang kanyang kulturang kontribusyon. Kakaiba ang mga ito sa karanasan ng mga kamakailang presidente ng bansa. Ito ang pinakamasahol na kulturang kontribusyon ng anumang presidente sa kagyat na kasaysayan ng bansa. Lantaran naman ang gamit ng fasismo ng anumang rehimen pero ang kay Arroyo ang naghasik ng pinakabangkaroteng kulturang tahasang ginamit para sa politikal at ekonomiyang ganansya.

Is it a mere coincidence to find Christmas towards the end of the year?

Keeping in mind what transpired this year, we cannot help but brace ourselves for an unknown year to come. Would it be a year of more blessings or more chaos? Will we have better leaders or the same old ones? Will there be more stronger typhoons or some few ones next year?

MANILA - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's filing of her certificate of candidacy to seek the position of representative for the second district of Pampanga generated so much controversy. It overshadowed a similarly controversial attempt by former president Joseph Estrada's to take a second crack at the presidency. For sure, Arroyo's congressional bid would be the talk of the town up to the May 2010 elections or even beyond, if she wins.

MANILA - The big oil players have put their conflict with Malacañang over Executive Order No. 839 to a higher plane through legal maneuver and economic sabotage. The legal move came in the form of a Pilipinas Shell petition before a Makati trial court asking for a temporary restraining order on the controversial directive. Meanwhile, the economic sabotage came in the form of deliberate restriction on supply that resulted in some pump stations temporarily closing down or reducing service hours.

MANILA - When President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Executive Order No. 839 on October 23 ordering oil companies to roll back pump prices in areas affected by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng to October 15 levels, the Big Three - Petron, Caltex, and Shell - warned of supply shortages and negative effects in planned investments. They did comply, albeit grudgingly, by lowering prices in Luzon but increasing pump prices in Visayas and Mindanao.