Let's all unite for Haiti

The whole world was shocked by the massive devastation caused by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti, which killed thousands of people, crumbled  houses and buildings, destroyed vehicles, and swallowed countless other people who are, until now, declared as missing.

Horrible images and heart-breaking reports about the rescue operations continue to spread through the media - people, injured or not, are seen crying in the street with nowhere to go, nothing to eat, no family to be with.  What could be more devastating than that?  Coming from a family who had experienced the wrath of nature last September through Typhoon Ondoy, I know how horrible it is to be left with almost nothing.  But Ondoy left our family and house intact.  Haiti's earthquake had no mercy.

"Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere and has suffered a number of recent disasters, including four hurricanes and storms in 2008 that killed hundreds," according to a BBC report.

I salute all the men and women who devoted and continue to devote their time, efforts, and prayers to Haiti's relief operations. One of them is the dedicated medical team called Doctors Without Borders.  They're currently extending medical operations in Haiti and other humanitarian crises all over the world, particularly neglected crises that remain outside the media spotlight. For more information and for your donations, here's the link to Doctors Without Borders. God Bless us all!

Ampatuan Massacres: From backhoe to chainsaw and now, using child assassins?

Seems like a lot of skeletons are coming out of somebody's closet since the Ampatuan Massacre horrified the whole world three weeks ago and it all stinks horribly bad.  First, the Commission on Human Rights received reports about chainsaw massacres allegedly perpetrated by the same suspects in Maguindanao way before the November 23 massacre happened where 57 people including women and journalists were butchered and peppered with bullets then buried by a backhoe.  

New witnesses have apparently surfaced to give hints on another "mass grave" where the hapless victims were either chainsawed to death or buried alive. "These “hints" and “whispers" alleged that 200 more were murdered, some of whom were reportedly even chainsawed to death," the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said on this report. 

As if that's not enough, here's another skeleton fresh from the closet screaming in headlines that read

Ex-child assassin: 'I killed hundreds for the Ampatuans.' 

I cringed when I read this over Yahoo News:  "A man who admits to have worked as a child assassin for the powerful Ampatuan clan based in Maguindanao province came forward with "shocking" testimony of mass murders carried out by young boys in the service of the Ampatuan family."

You can read the entire story here.

The news report further said:
"Abdul (not his real name) said he and 30 other young boys had been brought to a training camp in the mountains of South Upi municipality in Maguindanao, around 32 miles southeast of Sultan Kudarat.  He claimed they were trained by Palestinians and Indonesians in combat tactics.

"Para ring sundalo 'yong training kasi iba 'yong pagturo sa amin. Lahat nandoon na, parang paghawak ng baril, pagputok at pagtutok ng baril sa tao. (We were trained like soldiers. Everything was there, like how to hold a gun, how to aim a gun and how to shoot a person)," Abdul said.
From then on, Abdul said, murder became a normal routine. He alleged that he carried out kill orders without question and without knowing whether the victims had done anything wrong."

He further said that whoever questions the bosses will be killed in an instant.  Reading the news, I almost forgot that I wasn't reading a storyline for an old Paquito Diaz movie or any story, be it in comics or film, that only a Carlo J. Caparas could concoct. What I thought could only happen in movies could actually be happening in real life.   What kind of savages would teach innocent children to kill?   What kind of monsters would claim the lives of many all in the name of power and money?

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?

May all these cases get speedy resolutions and these "whispers" and "hints" hold water for a solid case.  In the end, may all the hapless victims of these murders be given justice and the perpetrators be punished without any political protection and prejudice.    

 

 

 

 

Super Ferry 9 sinks

Another deadly maritime tragedy hit the Philippines as Super Ferry 9 sank off the coast of Zamboanga peninsula yesterday. Reports said the ferry issued a distress call around 3:30 am when it began tilting on one side for still undisclosed  reasons. At least nine fatalities have been confirmed while dozens more remain missing. A total of 931 people are reported to have been rescued out of the total 964 passengers and crew in the ferry's manifest.

The tragedy happened in the midst of  tropical storm Dujuan although according to Zamboanga coast guard chief Commodore Rudy Isorena, the weather in the area had not been too bad. According to reports, the ferry shifted suddenly which caused some passengers to panic and jump into the water. Other passengers managed to get into life boats.

Maritime disasters are common in the country at the height of typhoon season.

According to this report, "aside from bad weather, poor maintenance, overcrowding of vessels and lax enforcement of regulations have also contributed to disasters."  Furthermore, it said, "the coastguard report said the Superferry 9, a steel-hulled vessel made in Japan in 1986, had a legal capacity of 1,120 passengers and crew."
 
The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) has already issued a show cause order against the ship's captain, Capt. Joel Yap to explain the circumstances behind the sinking of the said ship.

Whatever the cause of the tragedy had been, I wish more of the missing people will be found and rescued the soonest time possible and that the death toll wouldn't rise some more.  And if ever negligence on the part of the ferry's management is found to be the culprit, I hope justice will then be served.

National Heroes Day today in the Philippines

Today, we pay tribute to all our heroes  - sung and unsung, fallen and still living, as we observe the National Heroes Day in the country. 

May their noble deeds be forever etched in our memory and serve as good examples for all the Filipino people to emulate.  



 

Miriam and the infomercials

The feisty lady senator is at it again.  Senate Committee on Economics Affairs Chair Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago lambasted the high-ranking government officials and cabinet members for spending millions of pesos for infomercials.   The timing of these infomercials are questionable the fact that the 2010 National Elections are just a few months away. 

Quoted from the Senator's blog, Miriam said “Unless a person is blind, deaf, or dumb, it is crystal clear that the alleged infomercials of cabinet members are intended to camouflage the violation of the campaign ban, for the simple reason that these cabinet members engage only in such infomercials in the year prior to election year and at no other time, and for no other reason than personal political publicity.”

I say she's darn right!   Why would these infomercials sprout like mushrooms at this time of the year if not for early political publicity?  Why would these officials put their names and faces in these infomercials if their sole purpose is to inform the public of their Department's respective campaigns?  Are their faces really necessary?  And the timing is blatantly a give away to their hidden agenda, don't you think?  Miriam was right in calling these government officials "dimwitted rhinos" for being so thick. 

In a report by GMA News, at least P298 million of public funds were spent for these so-called government infomercials. How many people can be fed with P298 million? How many jobs can be created with that? How many schools and homes can be constructed with that?  How urgent and important are these infomercials that they had to come before REAL public service?

In the hot seat are the following officials who appeared in the much-circulated infomercials:

• Vice-President Noli de Castro 
• Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno 
• Health Secretary Francisco Duque III 
• Finance Secretary Margarito Teves 
• Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro 
• Public Works and Highway Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane 
• Education Secretary Jesli Lapus 
• Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman 
• Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) Chair Ephraim Genuino 
• Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Chair (Tesda) Augusto Syjuco 
• Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Bayani Fernando 
• Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay 

Let's wait for these rhinos' long-delayed official statements on Miriam's inquisitions but for now, I admire the lady senator for bringing it up and questioning the money involved, the legalities surrounding this issue, and what the COMELEC can do.  If they could always get away with technicality, then it's time to change some rules that have always been made as scapegoats. 

The President who was not a politician

You heard me right. She was our first woman President but she was never a politician. The late former President Corazon Aquino was the only Philippine President I know whose name wasn't tainted with playing politics. She was always known to play fair. Like a mother to the country, she was firm but loving.

People from all walks of life who knew her and/or worked with her - former political aides, household helpers, church goers, government workers, religious and business leaders, friends, family - all shared their memories of the late President in a very emotional necrological service yesterday at the Manila Cathedral.

I never thought that I could be moved into tears while listening to each eulogy. Her security aide/driver said Cory treated him like he's part of the family. She even cooked for him when the household helpers weren't home. Philippine Inquirer Columnist Conrado de Quiros, who was once a staunch critic of Cory, gave his testimony of Cory's kindness despite his past negative writeups about her. Mrs. Gina de Venecia said Cory was there when the de Venecias lost their youngest daughter to a fire that gutted down their house. Cory was also there when her husband, Joe de Venecia lost his bid to presidency. When all their friends abandoned them, there was Cory.

Dra. Sansan Hortaleza said Cory was there to pray with her when she was hospitalized for a heart ailment. Until now, she said, she prays the rosary everyday due to Cory's influence. Cory's physician said when he diagnosed the late President of colon cancer, he asked "Why Lord?" but Cory took it more peacefully and said she has lived a full life. She even managed to write a poem thanking God for being beside her when she was in pain. Congressman Teddy Locsin Jr., who was once Cory's scriptwriter, said he didn't notice that Cory has reformed him, erased his anger and extinguished his need to get even for the injustices given him in the past.

All those who gave their eulogy yesterday had one unspoken common message: that Cory was an angel sent to them. She was always there when the rest of their friends have turned their backs on them. She was their light during their darkest moments. Having known injustice and sorrow many times over, Cory perhaps didn't want her friends and family to experience the same as she did when Ninoy was taken from her and her family during Martial Law.

Kris, Cory's youngest daughter, earlier in an interview with Jessica Sojo talked about her final moments with her mom. She said even in her death bed, her mom was concerned about her household helpers and that she wanted her son Noynoy to absorb them when she dies. She also told Kris to give the car to the driver.

What gave me goosebumps was when Kris said she saw her highly spiritual mom so radiant in her hospital bed even if the room was dark, with only one reading lamp lit. Kris said it could have been what they call "embraced by the light." It got me thinking, would I be embraced by the light too when it's my time? Would I die a happy death too, just like Cory did? Would I be worthy for heaven?

Spirituality, faith in God, love for others and for country, purity of soul, morality in governance. These are just few of the moral examples imparted by the late Tita Cory to us Filipinos.

Not even the drastic weather changes and the long queue discouraged the ordinary people in the streets to pay last respects to the late President in the Manila Cathedral yesterday. Most of them hadn't eaten for hours but they patiently waited in line. Some of them even came from far provinces. And despite the huge traffic yesterday, commuters and drivers didn't complain. Random interviews showed that ordinary Filipinos were one in mourning Cory's passing. Political foes met with each other in the Manila Cathedral to pay their last respects. Even the Marcoses and the Estradas, whose families Cory ousted from power through People Power 1 and 2, went to pay their last respects for Cory.

It's true what they say: Pres. Cory has a way of uniting people for the good of the country...even in her death.

Italian Red Cross worker finally freed by Abu

Free at last. After six grueling months of being held captive by the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf in Jolo Sulu, Italian Red Cross aid worker Eugenio Vagni was finally released last Sunday.

Vagni was kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf militant group with fellow Red Cross workers Andreas Notter of Switzerland and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba during a humanitarian mission on Jolo in Mindanao. Notter and Lacaba were released separately last April. Vagni dropped 40 lbs in six months, as evident in his two photos. He was reported to be suffering from hernia and even cholera during his captivity.

The spate of kidnappings and terrorism in some parts of Mindanao severely affects the hapless civilians whose lives are put in danger during clashes between the military and the militants group. Recent bombings in Datu Piang, Maguindanao, Cotabato City, Iligan City, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte; and Jolo, Sulu have also caused the UN to temporarily stop sending aids to Mindanao, affecting thousands of families.

I don't understand why these militants keep picking on civilians to air out their demands. Would killing innocents give them the answers to their quest whatever it is? Why not give peace talks a chance?

Hayden Kho and Katrina Halili video scandal: a look at voyeurism in the Philippines

It's all over the internet, it's even being sold in Quiapo. Clearly, the much-publicized and talked-about Dr. Hayden Kho's sex video with sexy actress Katrina Halili has spread like wildfire. People who can't control their curiosity are taking the effort to search for the video online, or pass it around from cellphone to cellphone, or even buy dvd copies of which in Quiapo and lately in Cebu City.

Everything has totally gone out of hand.

What is Voyeurism?

Wikipedia defines voyeurism as "the sexual interest in or practice of spying on people engaged in intimate behaviors, such as undressing, sexual activity, or other activity usually considered to be of a private nature."

Are laws already in place against cyber voyeurism here in the Philippines? The lawmakers say not yet but other laws on crimes against women can be used in the meantime to combat these cyber exploits. According to Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, Obscene Exhibition and Grave Scandal may be used to prosecute Kho in this case but added that these are not specific on cyber crimes.

In a TV interview over GMA 7, Senator Santiago said she has passed a Bill on Cybernet Peeking but is yet to go on a third reading. If passed into law, it would punish violators from one to five years of imprisonment and P10,000-P50,000 fine. Santiago's 2-page Bill on Cybernet Peeking specifies two crimes: 1) capturing on photos and/or videos the sexual act without the partner's consent and 2)broadcasting these publicly without the consent of the aggrieved party (even if he/she consented to record the act for private viewing).

The lower house of Congress has a counterpart Bill called Anti-Video Voyeurism Act authored by Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella.

Erik Chua: The man who uploaded the videos?

Yesterday, Erik Johnson Chua, the primary suspect in uploading the compilation of videos on the internet, denied the allegations hurled against him. He claimed no participation in the proliferation of the said sex videos. Chua, a businessman, is believed to be one of the four persons who knew about the videos. The other two who were privy to the videos are famous cosmetics surgeon Dr. Vicky Belo and another common friend known only as Bistek Rosario. Chua was a close friend of Kho but the two had a falling out for reasons that Kho allegedly triggered. There are said to be about 40 different sex videos of Kho with various women but Halili's is the most controversial (Halili being a famous actress and twice voted by FHM as the Pihilippines' sexiest woman in 2006 and 2007).

Squid tactics and alibis

In a desperate move to justify Kho's actions, Kho's camp issued a statement that the videos were taken when the doctor was in drugs, a few months before he took treatments (So, they're blaming drugs now). Yesterday, Kho's mother alleged that it was Katrina Halili who introduced and supplied (prohibited) drugs to her son (Ooh, so now they're blaming the victim). Remind me again, Hayden Kho is a professional doctor right? Would you believe a doctor would be dissuaded by a 23-year old woman to ruin his health AND life by taking drugs? I wouldn't.

So, okay, Kho's camp is implying that the doctor was not in his proper state of mind when these videotapings happened. Will this declaration justify his actions? No. Sen. Miriam Santiago laughed and said it will be an aggravating evidence to Hayden's case. Wrong move!

Senate Probe

The Senate is scheduled to conduct its investigation on the matter this Thursday, May 28. The Senate inquiry was fueled by Sen. Bong Revilla's privilege speech "A Doctor's Perversity" in which he lambasted Kho for videotaping his sexual encounters with various women, including Katrina Halili, without their knowledge and consent. The spreading of the video on the internet has prompted the Senate to look into the country's lack of cyber laws. Women's rights activitists have rallied behind Halili and condemn cyber exploitation of women.

This latest surge of cyber voyeurism is not the first in the Philippines. A lot of nameless women have fallen victims to this kind of exploitation in the past but sadly, our lawmakers just sat on it. Some victims were forced to migrate out of the country, some almost took their own lives, many of them were ruined and separated from their families. All of them scarred forever.

What's keeping these products-of-sick-minds going is, admit it or not, the Filipinos' curiosity over sex scandals. DVD pirates won't keep on selling these scandal videos if there are no demands. How many of your friends have seen a sex scandal in the past, if not this one involving Katrina and Hayden? How many people you know have asked about Katrina's video, searched

it on the net and viewed it? How many are still curious to watch it?

Watching the video and sharing it with others only add up to the victims' anxiety and anguish. It won't do anything to close the case under the rule of law unless you're part of the prosecution, the defense, or if you're the judge handling the case. It will only quench one's curiosity. But now what? We're actually patronizing these sick videos. We're feasting on the victims' disgrace.

If the victim happened to be our sister or a close friend or relative, how would we feel seeing the video being viewed by other people over and over?

If there's a demand, there will be supply.

DVD copies have reportedly reached Cebu City and are being sold by video pirates discreetly for fear of police crackdown. Same thing is happening in Quiapo after police raided DVD stalls last week. The discs, which were sold at P60 each in Quiapo, has increased to P150-200 per copy after the raid.

If there's any good thing that this Hayden-Katrina scam is doing, it is that our lawmakers have been ignited to act on our cyber law (or the lack of it). This will hopefully eradicate cyber voyeurism and protect our women from falling prey to these crimes again. Enough is enough.

Hey, this is a perfect opportunity for our politicians who want to earn "pogi" points in the 2010 elections. But that's another story.

200,000 jobs at JOBapalooza on May 1

If you are looking for that elusive job, tomorrow,May 1, could be the day when you'd finally land on one. Over 200,000 jobs are waiting to be filled for both local and foreign employments tomorrow in the biggest Jobapalooza in the Philippines ever, according to the Department of Labor and Employment.

More than 1,000 local companies and foreign recruiters are participating in this highly anticipated job fair so you'll have astounding opportunities to grab the job of your dreams.

Head over to Mall of Asia, SMX Hall tomorrow for a different kind of Labor Day celebration.

Better still, check out phil-job.net or DOLE by clicking the links for more details.

Happy job hunting!

What we can do to prevent swine flu from spreading

Okay, so the threat is there. What can we do now to protect ourselves from swine flu that's taking innocent people's lives day after day in Mexico and is quickly spreading danger in other parts of the world?

Since it is a new strain of virus, it has no existing vaccine yet as of now. BBC reported that the first batch of vaccines could be ready in about four to six months but it will take even longer to produce massive quantities and distribute.

Here's what we can do to prevent swine flu from spreading, according to health authorities:

1. Wash hands regularly and properly with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer/alcohol when water is not available.
2. Cover nose and mouth with tissue when you sneeze or cough. Dispose of the tissue properly and immediately.
3. Avoid close contact with flu-infected people. You'll never know if it's swine flu that's making them sick.
4. Refrain from touching your eyes, mouth and nose to prevent germs from spreading.
5. If you're ill, stay home or seek immediate medical attention to avoid infecting other people and to ensure your full recovery.

For more FAQs about swine flu, click here.

Swine flu scare:how scary is it?

I'm watching CNN now as I write this post. They're talking about this swine flu that is suspected to claim the lives of some 68 people in Mexico and is believed to have sickened some 1,000 more. The World Health Organization has expressed fear that the swine flu has the potential to be pandemic. Reports of suspected similar cases were also noted in New York, California and Texas. Could these cases really be related to each other in any way given the distance? Can these cases be contained?

Authorities advise people to be extra cautious by washing hands regularly, stay home if ill and seek immediate medical attention if having serious respiratory problems.

The least we can do now is to panic. Hope that the experts will find out the cause of this swine flu the soonest and be able to fight the disease fully before it becomes a global pandemic. As of this writing, no vaccine for this new strain of virus has been manufactured yet, according to the reports.

I don't wanna panic. God help us.

Red Cross member released by Abu Sayyaf

Good grief. Andreas Notter, one of the three International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) members abducted by the Abu Sayyaf last January 15 has been released.

Philippine National Red Cross chairman Richard Gordon said Notter was freed by his abductors, in contrast to military's claim that he's been rescued. Notter reportedly noticed his guards disappearing one by one until he was left walking alone and was eventually found by government troops in Indanan Sulu last April 18. According to Notter, the Abu Sayyaf members who were guarding him fell back to tie shoes and disappeared for other reasons until he noticed he was alone.

Red Cross insists they paid no ransom.

Other ICRC captive, Mary Jane Lacaba, was earlier released last April 2. Only one ICRC member, Italian Eugenio Vagni, remains in captivity by the notorious Muslim extremists. Vagni is said to be suffering from hernia and is in dire need of medical attention.

Hopefully, the Abu Sayyaf decides to free Vagni the soonest time possible. Sometimes I get to wonder why these terrorists love to target the good and valuable people in society like Red Cross volunteers and local teachers. Why won't they kidnap some wealthy politicians who are known to be corrupt and abusive? If they really itch to terrorize, they might as well terrorize the bad guys. GRRRRR!

Sometimes sorry is just not enough

So Boyet Fajardo has come to his senses. He recently apologized on national television about the Duty Free freaking incident. But was he sincere? He didn't even know the correct surname of Marvin Fernandez, the cashier he ridiculed as a fagot (when he himself is of the same legion!) and made to kneel before him at the counter. What fumed me even more was that he continued to justify his actions...What temerity! The nerve! Here's to you, Boyet Fajardo - You're despicable!

Duty Free scandal: how to behave like a dog by Boyet Fajardo

I felt my blood boil when I watched this video. This is the height of arrogance and there simply isn't a room for excuses why this certain Boyet Fajardo humiliated this Duty Free cashier who was merely doing his job anyway!

I didn't know Boyet Fajardo from Adam until this video circulated in the Web. It was only then that I learned that he's a designer and that his creations are being sold in big malls here in the Philippines. So? Does that (or any other accomplishments he may have) give him the right to demand for somebody, right in public view, to kneel before him or else he'll be slapped? Nobody has the right to do that to anyone!

What triggered it, you say? Duty Free Fiesta Mall cashier Marvin Fernandez asked Fajardo to present an ID with signature so he could process the latter's credit card purchases. Fajardo got irked and started badmouthing the cashier. He was rather surprised and insulted that the cashier didn't recognize him, thinking obviously that he's somebody as popular as a movie star. "Hindi nyo ba ako kilala? (Don't you know me?), " he ranted. The nerve!

He should have been glad instead of mad that the cashier was prudent in protecting his credit card.

I'm having a hard time figuring out if that Fajardo (I don't even wanna add a "Mr." to his name) is fit for a dog...because even dogs have manners.

Dec 2008 P'que shootout: Will justice be served?

December 5, 2008. Paranaque became witness to a bloody shootout between the PNP and a group of armed robbery suspects, killing 16 people including civilians.

Following investigations, 17 police officers were slapped with administrative charges by the PNP Internal Affairs. Hearings will start this month.

Among the five civilians who were killed in the crossfire was an OFW and his 7-year old kid who were strafed to death while on board their Isuzu Crosswind. The widow and bereaved mom, Lilian de Vera, circulated this email in the hope of getting heard and achieving justice.

Below is her letter that was emailed to me by a friend yesterday:

Two months ago I considered myself as one of those blessed and happiest people on earth. Why not? I married a guy who was an epitome of kindness. A guy who worshipped even the footsteps I made. More importantly, our union blessed us with a daughter who not only became the main source of our happiness....more so; she was the center of our lives..

We're simple folks who led a simple life. We felt the happiest even about mundane things and inconsequential ones that most people would only take for granted. Our joy mostly revolved on simple pleasures like a sudden trip to Jollibee or a late night marauding of the fridge for any leftovers. A perfect family with simple delights, dreams and aspirations.........until that fateful night on December 5, 2008.The day my husband and daughter were taken away from me in a very violent way. That Friday night on December 5, 2008 marked the beginning of all the terror, anguish and misery in my life.

In keeping with my ritual or "panata" on every first Friday of every month, I went to Quiapo Church on the above mentioned date to pay homage and respect to the Almighty One. My husband and daughter were supposed to pick me up in Pasay City after which we planned on giving our daughter a treat to Jollibee. While riding the jeep, I tried to call my husband to tell him that I was on my way to our meeting place. But despite all the calls I made, my husband remained silent. A very unusual occurrence inasmuch as he seldom missed my calls. Despite my trepidation and wonder, I took the next jeep going home and prayed that everything was alright. I even promised to myself that I would forgive my husband for not answering my calls and for forgetting to pick me up.

I felt relieved when near our place my phone rung. Such relief was somehow only momentary....in fact the phone call I got was the bearer of the worst news in my entire life. My helper called, only to tell me that my husband and daughter were shot to death by "men in uniform". The same men who were sworned to protect innocent people from bad guys brutally slew the two most important persons in my life. They were the same men whose sacred duty was to preserve the lives of the public against all harm and danger. Yet.......they were the same men who murdered my love ones in the most cruel, savage and inhuman way.

My husband's face was unrecognizable because he was shot in the head at close range while he was kneeling with his head bowed down. My daughter's young body was riddled with bullets, one hit her head, blowing her brains out.., all from too powerful guns and ammunitions fired by the "men in uniform" on two innocent and defenseless persons.

The "men in uniform" were allegedly on a mission to take some gang of robbers victimizing people at large. The police shot the crosswind van my husband and daughter were riding Based on some witnesses' narration, the police sprayed bullets into the van despite the lack of provocation or shots coming from the van. In his last effort to save their lives, my husband grabbed my bloodied daughter and shielded her with his body while trying to run away from the police and tried to get cover from a parked jeepney My husband and daughter were so defenseless. How can you mistake a child for a robber? How can you shot at someone who was already kneeling with head bowed, an indication of helplessness.

My husband and daughter are gone.......forever. The pain I feel for their lost is too much to bear. And the only thing that motivates me to go on with life is the mission to seek justice for their senseless killing. If the people who are responsible for their death will be punished, if I could bring them the justice they so richly deserve, my pain would be alleviated. The misery I will live by will be lessened. My husband and daughter will be vindicated and I will learn to live the remaining years of my life in peace.

Thus: I'm asking and begging everyone who will come across this letter/e-mail to forward the same to all your relatives, friends, and acquaintances. Help me bring my cause to the eyes of the people capable of steering the wheel of justice to the right direction. Help me make the loudest cry worthy of attention by those people in-charge in rendering justice to those who deserve it.

Strength comes in numbers; it is where the impossible becomes possible. It is also where the unattainable becomes achievable.

My heartfelt gratitude for everyone who will take a moment in their too busy lives and forward this letter/e-mail to everyone they know. May God always protect you and your love ones from all harm.

Lilian de Vera

Good news, Bad news

Good News: LPG supply stabilizes, goes back to normal SRP at P550 per tank.
Bad News: Prices of gasoline seen soaring, expected rollback in March looks dim.

Good News: Best time to fly now that airfares are low; airlines pump up promos to attract customers.
Bad News: Prices of some canned goods, pork and chicken also fly high.

Good News: World Bank divulges Philippine road mess.
Bad News: Senate has no copy of complete WB report.

Good News: World Bank divulges Philippine road mess.
Bad News: Beleaguered First Gentleman Mike Arroyo can't be called to answer allegations due to health condition.

Good News: World Bank divulges Philippine road mess.
Bad News: WB Country Director snubs senate hearings.

Good News: World Bank divulges Philippine road mess.
Bad News: "There is no evidence." - Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago.

RP opens more job opportunities

I can't help but frown when I hear news about massive retrenchments and soaring unemployment statistics in the country. It's very discomforting even to a stay-at-home mom like me.

I scoured the internet to find some good news despite the bad economy so we could stop fretting about job loses and the many consequences they bring.

Here's what I found:

1. At least 1,000 jobs are waiting to be filled at the Philippine Coast Guard. Join the 4,000 existing coast guards in protecting our territory. This could be your break, who knows?

2. The government is seriously bent on helping the private industry in preserving and generating more jobs through a multi-sectoral job summit tomorrow at Malacanang. This is one step to save more companies from closing and more jobs from losing. DOLE said up to 500 firms have already closed in the country due to the ailing global economy.

3. Thousands of job opportunities are waiting to be grabbed over jobstreet. Sign up for an account to get updates on job and career opportunities, among others.

4. The Philippine banking system remains sound...at least compared to its foreign counterparts.

5. RP remains to be the top outsourcing destination due to its large pool of English-speaking workers.

6. There are still demands for some 389,000 jobs for skilled and unskilled workers. A lot of them are in the Middle East.

7. Planning to work abroad? Check out POEA for job listings, requirements, scam alert and all you need to know to avoid wasting money, time and effort to illegal recruiters.

Hanjin accidents rise to 4,000

Accidents in Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction have risen to 4,000 since it operated in Subic Bay, Zambales in 2006, according to the Department of Labor and Employment. Nineteen of which were fatal.

In tonight's TV newscast over GMA 7, a DOLE official said Hanjin only has three nurses and no doctors on the site.

It was further learned that the facility is also Malaria-stricken. Three Hanjin workers have died out of the 54 Malaria cases in Hanjin. A former Hanjin worker who lost a foot in an accident in Hanjin said there were many unreported cases of fatalities and injuries in the facility.

The Senate labor committee is now considering recommending the temporary supension of Hanjin's operations. They may, they may not.

It's strange that it took this long for the government to intervene. Will stones be left unturned this time? That we have to see.

LPG shortage or hoarding?

It's been several weeks since media reported the alleged "shortage" of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in some parts of the country, resulting in government investigations.

Government representatives continuously assured the public that there is no truth to the alleged shortage and promised that the supply of LPG will soon stabilize.

Recently, government agents seized some 2,000 11-kg tanks of LPG in a raid on warehouses in a compound in Manila.

Radio dzRH reported that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) received a tip from small LPG vendors about oil tankers delivering LPG to the said warehouse in CM Recto Ave., Sta. Cruz Manila.

This strengthens the speculation that some unscrupulous businessmen are behind the LPG shortage which resulted to erratic and higher retail prices of LPG.

Help hotline for the jobless? Why not!

No amount of euphemism can ever coat the ugly face of more job retrenchments in the offing.

But gladly, it looks like the Philippine government is not sleeping on it.

More and more advisories from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) come out everyday, keeping us in the know about the current situation.

Lately they announced a proposal to set up a hotline that would assist job seekers in finding a job.

Let's hope it's not just another press release set to rot unrealized.