The Gilmore Boys

I call them the Gilmore Boys. Those yellow-clad traffic enforcers who instead of directing traffic in the busy intersections along E. Rodriguez Avenue in New Manila, Quezon City, choose to position themselves several meters past the intersections, many times hiding behind posts or trees.

They're not there to help with traffic. They're there to apprehend as many violators as they can and extort them to death.

And who said a government job did not pay well?

Grumpy Old Man

I find it ironic --- and very sad --- that in his attempt to prevent one senator from being censured for violating "the Code of Conduct of Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and for engaging in improper and unethical conduct that damaged the integrity of the Senate" Senator Nene Pimentel resorted to name-calling and making vulgar remarks about a colleague's wife. 


That in itself is conduct unbecoming of a senator. 


Pimentel should be censured.

I will never ever vote for Mike Defensor, but please, Mr. Mayor, level the playing field!

Here's Councilor Vincent Belmonte's latest poster. It came up a few days ago in time for today's commemoration of the feast of the Black Nazarene. And in all places, his minions decide to post one right beside his uncle's, the mayor's, warning against political propaganda.

That's audacity for you. That's pure arrogance. And that's down right bullying.

All from the powerful Belmonte clan that includes 1) the incumbent mayor who is now running for his old congressional seat; 2) the mayor's daughter who is running for vice mayor and two nephews -- including Vincent -- who are running for re-election as councilors.

For while an obscure 1990 city ordinance that the mayor's office conveniently resurrected justifies the tearing down of their political opponents' materials, no government street cleaner would dare take down the posters and banners and greetings the Belmonte camp continue to post everywhere possible.

Shameless, indeed.

Paging Senators Aquino and Roxas. It's time you police your ranks. Not all so-called Liberals are worth voting for.

Ways to Win an Election # 1: Take Advantage of Your Position

This sign came up early this week. After more than a year of endless banners and posters all over the city, the City passes an ordinance prohibiting the display of such paraphernalia  in major roads and streets.

And like true civil servants, the city street cleaners swooped down the streets and tore down the banners of Defensor, Susano, Lagman and almost everyone else.

Everyone's that is except those of the mayor's anointed successor and his running mate who happens to be the mayor's daughter, and of course, the mayor himself who is running for Congress.

I guess being in power has its privileges.

Sad.

May They Rest in Peace

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord ...

Ian Sublang – Gensan Newsprint

Lea Dalmacio – Gensan Newsprint

Gina Dela Cruz – Gensan Newsprint

Marites Cabunes – Gensan Newsprint

Bart Maravilla – Bombo Radyo

Jhoy Duhay – Peoples Tonite

Henry Araneta – DZRH Correspondent

Andy Teodoro – Mindanao Inquirer

Neneng Montano – Gensan Newsprint

Alejandro Bong Reblado – UNTV

Victor Nuñez – UNTV

Mac–mac Amola – Gensan Newsprint

Jimmy Cabello –  Midland Review

Councilor Razul Daud – SK Newspaper

Joel Parcon –  Prontera News

Val Cachuela –  Prontera News

John Caniban

Art Baloya – Punto Periodico

Noel Decena – Punto Periodico

Rany Razon – Punto Periodico

Bienvenido Jun Legarta – Punto Periodico

Jovy Legarta – Punto Periodico

Rey Merisco – Punto Periodico

Boyet Dela Cerna – Escalera News

Art Mascardo – GSC

Embarassment

Worse than Iraq. Worse than Afghanistan. Worse than Pakistan.

Watch the following video as "Journalists Without Borders" Speaks Out on the barbaric murder of 57 individuals  last 23 November 2009 in Maguindanao..

The Philippines is now the most dangerous place to live for journalists.

What a fitting feather on the administration's cap. Will this finally wake the government from its seeming indifference to all the heinous crimes happening around it? Or will they continue to belittle this incident as a mere fight between two families.

A True Hero