Voter's Registration Extended: Exercise Your Right to Suffrage in 2010

Let's do our share and exercise our right to suffrage during the May 10, 2010 presidential elections.  I am still undecided who to vote and I missed the presidential debate.  The next president should be one who has good leadership skills and can lead by example, one with political will and does not succom to pressure to the king maker.  I personally like Gordon for his leadership skills but doubts his winnability.  Noynoy is simply the safest choice because he's the lesser evil but he's leadership skills is questionable.  Gibo sounds very articulate but doubtful as to his motives being the administration's choice.  Bravo for Villar's political campaign he has positioned himself for being for the masses but after a conversation with a bank executive, he's definitely out of my list - he's one shrewed businessman.  Estrada is nothing but shameless for running inspite of getting convicted.

Who's your choice?  Now convince me. :)

The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday extended registration of voters for the May 10, 2010 elections until January 9, 2010.

In a nine-page unanimous decision penned by Associate Justice Conchita Carpio Morales, the Court en banc granted the petition filed by Kabataan party-list led by Raymond Palatino seeking to declare null and void Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution No. 8585, which shortened the deadline of voters registration to October 31, 2009, instead of December 15, 2009, as previously fixed by Comelec Resolution No. 8514.

Section 8 of Republic Act 8189 or the Voter’s Registration Act of 1996 provides that the registration of voters shall be conducted daily in the office of the election officer during regular office hours, except during the period starting 120 days before a regular election and 90 days before a special election.

 Read the rest of the story http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/.

A Country in Mourning

The Philippines is in mourning following the death of former President Corazon Aquino. It has been 23 years since she became the icon of democracy of our country and to the rest of the world. The prayer vigil all over the country during her battle of cancer was overwhelming... I am personally overwhelmed and surprised to realize that she is well loved by many. It is no doubt that in life and in death she continued to unite the people in prayer.

Yesterday, I woke up from an afternoon nap by Kris Aquino's (her youngest daughter) voice on television. Kris is known to be the prodigal daughter yet remained to be her mom's favorite. It was her first time to speak in public after her mother's death. A good host as she is, she clearly recounts the battle of the late president and her family. She shared to the public what her family has opted to keep in private the past month. As I watched her, I could not help but feel her pain... sobbing and crying a bucket of tears for nearly two hours, that left my eyes puffy when I had to attend a party that night. Her story was very heartfelt, showing that they are just as fragile as anyone else. Anyone who has lost a loved one or has fears to lose one will definitely relate and learn from that experience.

Senators are now pushing to pass a bill to declare January 25, her birthday as Cory Aquino Day. A 10 day national mourning has been declared and August 5, has been declared a special non working holiday by political foe and incumbent President Gloria Arroyo to observe the internment. What remains to be seen is if and when the President comes back from the USA, she is duty bound to pay her last respect, damn if she do, damn if she don't, hopefully they can manage to be apolitical.

If Ninoy spoke with dignity "You have a president who robs you, and a first lady who robs you more." With President Cory Aquino's death (and Cardinal Sin), who would be brave enough to standby, lead the people and say "You have a president who robs you, and a first gentleman who robs you more."?

Nothing personal, strictly politics.

Conspiracy Theory: 25 Years After Ninoy Aquino's Assassination

Through these Games, the world learned more about China, and China learned more about the world.

I am particularly moved by these words of International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge during the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics which was aired yesterday. China has proved worthy of being host to the Olympics. They have been hounded with so much issues in the past, I hope the rest of the world sees China beyond its form of government. Undeniably, that was just a showcase of things to come, while other nations have to face that reality.

But what glued me on television last night was “Beyond Conspiracy: 25 Years After the Aquino Assassination” featured on abs-cbn by Foundation for Worldwide People Power (FWWPP). It reaches out to who are eager to know more about Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.*, his assassination, what happened afterwards, and who were the likely masterminds.

With so much written about it in the past, I've never bothered to read the news. I am as guilty as anyone else who have taken for granted what actually transpired. I was surprised to learn a lot more details behind his death. The documentary was very bold in implicating the possible masterminds and the conspiracy within the military. I never knew Marcos acknowledged Ninoy to be his best successor. I never knew Galman was really a fall guy, I thought he got away with murder. I never knew the person who shot him was his escort from behind, the angle of the gun shot wound proved it. I never knew about General Custodio and Ninoy's cousin-in-law Danding Cojuanco were implicated alongside the Marcoses and General Ver.

In the documentary, Ms Tina Monzon Palma, the onscreen presenter said:

“We’ve looked at motive, means and opportunity and have come up with a partial solution to the puzzle. We must now put the last piece in place by probing who had the ability—and the gall—to cover up the dastardly crime in full view of the entire world.”

“The temerity to kill the political opposition’s most charismatic leader in the middle of an international airport in broad daylight—and to telegraph veiled threats of these vile intentions weeks and months before—pushed the limits of Filipino sensibilities … the plotters must have calculated that, given some time to let off steam, Filipinos would soon file away the Aquino assassination in some dark corner where they store unpleasant memories that can be promptly forgotten.”

For those who missed it, watch the full-length 80-minute documentary here and see for yourself this conspiracy theory.

August 21 marks the anniversary of assassination of former Senator *Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. Returning to the Philippines after three years of self-imposed exile, Aquino was shot in the head and killed on August 21, 1983 as he was escorted off an airplane by soldiers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Aquino was a staunch opponent of then-President Ferdinand Marcos. Aquino's death sparked anti-Marcos sentiment that led to the 1986 EDSA Revolution.