by Rey O. Arcilla
from MALAYA
‘In the midst of the water and energy crises and the ballooning budget deficit, Ms. Arroyo decides to go circling the globe again.’
WE are facing a water crisis of potentially cataclysmic proportions unless Mother Nature chooses to be kind and decides to give us much needed rain before the onset of the wet season.
Partly as a consequence of the water shortage, we are also facing an energy crisis that has already resulted in blackouts in various regions in the country.
What is worse is that the energy …

A Cup O’ Kapeng Barako
by Jesse Jose
Now and then I’d read an opinion column that would stop me dead in my tracks and say: “Wow!  That was good.  It’s a beaut. I like it.”  And this one has a beautiful ending, too, that jolted me out of my seat.  First with a chuckle, then with a roaring, hearty laughter. 
After my laughter subsided and I became more rational, I thought this story BEGS for a different ending, a much better ending that would give OTHERS a hearty laugh and a good …

AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR
by William M. Esposo
from The Philippine Star

Capped by last Friday’s release of the February 21-25 Pulse Asia survey that showed him drop by six percentage points (vis-à-vis the January Pulse Asia poll) and now trailing presidential race leader Noynoy Aquino by seven percentage points — last week could well be Nacionalista Party presidential candidate Manny Villar’s worst ever bad hair week.
After the January Pulse Asia poll showed Aquino and Villar with 37% and 35%, respectively, which is considered a statistical tie — the Villar rah rah …

by  Edmer F. Panesa and Leonard D. Postrado
from Manila Bulletin
 http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/246825/groups-unite-against-midnight-chief-justice

Civil society and militant groups joined forces Monday to urge the Supreme Court (SC) and the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) to move away from the attempt of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to appoint the successor of Chief Justice Reynato Puno despite the election appointments ban rule.
Their respective leaders gathered together at a restaurant in Ermita, Manila for the signing of a manifesto of solidarity against the appointment of a “midnight Chief Justice.” After which, the group held a solidarity march to the …

AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR
by William M. Esposo
from The Philippine Star
Mariano “Mike” Velarde, also known as Bro. Mike, tends to be perceived by your Chair Wrecker as being more of a businessman and a politician — who has in fact mulled running for president — rather than as a religious minister.
For perspective, your Chair Wrecker deeply admires the Christianity of Gawad Kalinga’s Tony Meloto and the late Focolare Movement founder, Chiara Lubich. They both epitomize the great commandment of Jesus Christ that “Whatsoever you do to the least of your …