Commentary | The reports of massive fraud are staring the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the face and Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. and Commissioner Rene Sarmiento still refuse to conduct a thorough investigation and act swiftly to prevent further damage. And they refuse to do so only because there are no witnesses. Perhaps the Comelec is afflicted with a serious illness called Garci.
Two institutions to watch, if one wants to ensure a clean and honest May 2007 elections, are the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Ironically, these are the very institutions supposedly tasked with ensuring the conduct of clean and honest elections. But these institutions are again in the thick of controversy — a portent of things to come?
ANALYSIS: Fraud recycles the political dynasties and keeps them in power. It breeds generations of cheaters, corrupt politicians, mediocre executives, bribe takers, absenteeism in Congress. It is part of the lifeblood of bureaucrat capitalism.
It is only by standing by your principles as mediamen that you can be called as such. Deviating from it makes you irrelevant.
By Alex Roldan
DAVAO CITY — When I was asked to make a testimonial tonight, one question came to dominate my mind. That question is, after all the years of struggle and idealism about press freedom, what have I contributed towards this aim as a mediaman? This created a vacuum on my innerself which is suddenly filled with more doubt of my ideals if it is really realistic and achievable or just a plain utopia ? and maybe better leave it that way so that the next generation has something to continue. I know there are more worthy experiences of practicing media in the past, all I want is to share my story and thoughts about the my experiences and struggles as a mediaman.
By Ralph A. Cossa
(More than) a day later, but not a dollar short. That pretty much sums up what to Pyongyang is a perfectly reasonable negotiating position. It will honor its end of the Feb. 13, 2007 “action for action” denuclearization deal, once the money is in the bank. In short, “checkbook diplomacy” still works with North Korea; the “check’s in the mail” diplomacy does not!