Not a joke

Former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-Joc” Bolante is seeking political asylum in the United States allegedly because of the threats to his life by the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

He believes that being a target of the CPP-NPA, although Ka Roger already said he is not, entitles him political asylum.

I don’t know who gave him the idea that a man accused of plunder is entitled to political asylum when in fact those in Malacanang seems to be protecting him, rather than going after him.

As far as I know, political asylum is granted only by a government to a person or persons who belong to the political opposition of another country for his own protection from the established government.

Obviously, Bolante is not a member of the political opposition.
He was a government official. In fact, he still remains very close to First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.

Surely, the government will never kill or harass or do something to that effect against somebody like Bolante who seem to have learned to become invisible.

The only asylum he deserves is one where lots of people like him belong – behind bars.

The accusation against this man is not a joke. The P728 million fertilizer fund mess is no joke.

Depriving the poor farmers of government subsidy like seeds and farm inputs is like depriving them of bread and butter.

SONA

I don't know why I felt insulted at the way President Arroyo smiled on national television while addressing lawmakers during her 6th State of the Nation Address (SONA) in congress.

Is it because the promises she made were too incredible or is it because I heard it from a president who had seem to lost the trust and confidence of the people?

As a Filipino who wants to hear something good from my president, I would have been jumping in joy after the SONA for her promise of a better life for the Filipino people in the future, even though she didn't actually delivered a state of the nation address that every Filipino ought to hear from their chief executive.

I didn't hear her deliver the state of the nation, at least compared, to its Asian neighbors in terms of economic growth and development; in terms of political stability, or instability for that matter; or in terms of trade & industry and job creation.

Maybe because what I really want to hear from her are the good news. Real ones, like the Filipino people are no longer suffering from extreme poverty and hunger; that they now have access to safe drinking water, sanitation, proper nutrition and health care.

I want to hear that my fellow Filipinos in the rural areas are no longer landless, or those who live in the urban areas have a home of their own.

Hopefully, if not from Mrs Arroyo, I will hear it from the next president who will deliver the SONA after her term.

The thrills of KE post activities

WHENEVER there's an activity, Kappa Epsilon fraternity and sorority never fails to satisfy, if not give the participants the chill. But what is more thrilling is that after every activity, we always get together, talk over countless bottles of beer, exchange ideas and strengthen our bond called brotherhood.
Just last July 19, after our Medical Mission at Barangay Barangka - Ibaba in Mandaluyong City, where some two hundred residents were provided with free medical and dental services by a crew of doctors, dentists and health workers of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), we get together at a small videoke bar and relaxed.
Sarap talaga maging Kappa Epsilonian!
The activity was in partnership with the Kappa Epsilon Alumni Association of North America whose president and family showed up during the early-morning event to show support to the cause.
Our president, Allan Aglipay vowed to hold similar undertakings in the future, and plans to hold such activity, plus an outreach project in Botolan, Zambales for the benefit of our less-fortunate Aeta brothers and sisters who were displaced by -- and continue to suffer from - the eruption of the Mt. Pinatubo more than 15 years ago.