DEPARTMENT of Health (DoH) statistics show that kidney diseases have consistently been among the top 10 leading causes of deaths in the Philippines. Every year, about 10,000 Filipinos develop kidney failure that requires dialysis for life or a kidney transplant. Yet, nearly half of people with chronic kidney disease do not even know they are sick because typically, chronic kidney disease manifests no symptoms until it is at an advanced stage.
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WE appreciate the calls made by former President Fidel V. Ramos, former President Corazon Aquino, Bishop Soc Villegas, and other well-meaning sectors for calm and sobriety amid the latest efforts to whip up anarchy and an atmosphere of turmoil.
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THE wisdom of former presidents does not go beyond prayer for divine guidance in "seeking the truth" (Aquino) and staying the course (Ramos). In other words, President Arroyo is on her own in facing the crisis of her administration.
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HOW can the 60-room resort in Boracay improve the AFP’s capability to fight? Who determined this priority? We have hospitals without medicine and they spend good money for this resort?"
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ALL his life, the farmer had firmly objected to any form of formalities and social obligations. In this regard, he was a complete non-conformist. He did not care for what people said and actually enjoyed doing things against accepted norms and tradition.
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(Speech delivered at the 107th Anniversary celebration of Philippine Independence, Independence Grandstand, Rizal Park, June 12, 2005.)
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SOBRIETY and unity of vision and purpose appear as the best way out of the current political storms battering the country.
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(Speech delivered at the 107th Anniversary celebration of Philippine Independence, Aguinaldo Shrine, Kawit, Cavite, June 12, 2005.)
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THE Gloria-Garcillano wire-tapped tape in the hand of former NBI deputy chief Atty. Samuel Ong, described by him as "the mother of all tapes," will just stay as is without any legal effect on Gloria’s incumbent residency.
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NENE Pimentel to GMA: Resign. Alis dyan? Ayoko nga.
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GMA: I did not cheat and I’m not stepping down. Manigas kayo.
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Pimentel wants Vice President Noli de Castro to resign, too, and pave the way for snap elections.
She can resign if she wants to but I take over the presidency.
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This could be the first time in history that a government fell because of the peccadilloes of a brother-in-law.
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What if you wake up tomorrow and find that Noli is already president.
You thank your lucky stars because you’re getting out of bed in your house in LA.
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Mikey: Another guided missile has been launched against us.
It was marked Compliments of Erap.
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GMA took a swipe at Erap for plotting destabilization moves against her.
He is one of several plotters now. Can you really blame him for trying to get even with her?
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If GMA resigns, Erap says he should be the one to replace her, not Vice President De Castro.
Better for Erap to run in a snap election and win hands down. But there’s that little matter with the Sandigan.
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From the President: Nobody in my family is above the law. Not Mikey, or Iggy, or Dearie.
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New witness claims she gave R900,000 to Mikey and Iggy last December right in the halls of Congress.
Did she say Merry Christmas or what?
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Toting Bunye is now not sure if the voice in the tape is that of GMA.
We’re also not sure if he is the same guy we heard two days ago.
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The current brouhaha is the fallout of a power struggle for control of jueteng between a Masbate biggie who controls the racket in Bicol and someone who has the backing of a Palace bigshot.
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US throws its unequivocal support behind the administration of GMA.
She believes no fraud was committed in the elections that catapulted her to power in 2004. Just support her and no excuses please.
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Impeachment will not prosper because she has not violated the Constitution or committed treason, bribery, graft and corruption, or betrayed the public trust.
She is pure as the driven snow.
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AFP and PNP assert loyalty to the Constitution and President Arroyo.
And remind the First Gentleman to keep visiting us.
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The Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Coast Guard, and the Marines are all yours, Ma’am.
We will pulverize them if they try anything funny.
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General Lomibao says a huge amount of money is being offered by some groups to recruit junior police officials and enlisted men.
How much for the colonels and generals?
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There are no loyalty checks being conducted at the PNP.
Our chief knows best and we follow him.
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United Opposition to Malacañang: Stop accusing us of being destabilizers and coup plotters.
We are Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition.
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Since coming out with commentaries on bar scandals in this column last April 22 and May 9 that happened decades ago, there has been an intermittent flow of rejoinders from readers.
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Matthew 5:38-42
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BORN on November 4, 1896 in Talibon, Bohol, President Carlos P. Garcia finished his elementary and secondary studies in the public schools of Bohol and Cebu, his college studies at Siliman University, and his law degree in Manila at the Philippine Law School. Thereafter, he entered public service and established an exemplary record as a public servant.
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FEAR of "military adventurism" moved the business community to pay for full-page advertisements calling for "public sobriety and political order." No one can say that it’s an unnecessary expense, since everything must be tried to talk out the crisis.
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MANY of us need to be reminded that work is not a consequence of evil. It is very good; in fact, one reason why we have been created is that we should work.
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BEFORE you think this is about the Philippines, let me warn you that it has nothing to do with the hot tapes in the possession of someone surnamed Ong. However, those who are curious about what happens when a president resigns might find the following narration interesting enough. It comes from Al Giordano’s "It’s Zero Hour in Bolivia."
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THIS year, on June 2nd, the National Day of Italy, the usual festive atmosphere at the embassy residence was somewhat subdued by the fact that the guests realized it was also a farewell reception for the popular Ambassador Umberto Colesanti and his hospitable and energetic wife Clara. They have been with us here in Manila for a record four years (most diplomatic tours of duty are limited to three), and during that time they have made many friends for themselves personally, and for their hospitable and attractive country Italy. Agreements have been signed between the Philippines and Italy on security issues, immigration, and aid for agriculture and infrastructure in Mindanao. But the greatest impact of the Italian presence, as it was embodied by the Colesantis, was cultural. Their dinner and reception invitations were eagerly sought after, because the food, much of it prepared on the premises, was so good. In fact, food has become a major item of cultural exchange between Italy and the Philippines. Several new Italian restaurants have opened in Manila under the Colesanti’s watch, and Italian cooking is now being taught in the international schools.
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THE attempt to bring down the government by another people-power type of uprising over the weekend has fortunately failed.
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WHAT happened to former President Joseph Estrada and what is happening to the country today are affirmations, according to some people, of the evils that jueteng sows whenever it persists operation.
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TALKING about arresting Atty. Ong or about his not violating the law to arrest him unless one of those whose conversation was wiretapped and recorded in those controversial tapes or discs files a criminal case against him — is just a lot of talk like a sound of fury signifying nothing. Even if one of the tapped speakers files a criminal complaint against Ong with the Department of Justice for sedition or violation of the anti-wiretapping law, that will not automatically justify his arrest unless the warrant is issued by a court of justice and not by any other government agency. And as any lawyer knows, the warrant will not be issued without indicting him by the DoJ through filing an information with the court. But then, the DoJ must find probable cause to do it.
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IF we know the clear definitions of events around us, it’s easy for most to come to their senses. We are surrounded by endless fence-mending — the reestablishing or improving of contacts or relationships, especially in politics, after a dispute or estrangement.
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WASHINGTON — From Chinese language contests to German "friendship" buses, foreign nations are working hard to foster goodwill with regular Americans.
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Matthew 5:43-48
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