Impulses
The butcher
There is a practice in the Philippine Coast Guard office where they issue conditional Certificates of Inspection, allowing vessels to sail even if their dry-docking is due already.
This obvious malpractice should be stopped to avoid another form of oil spill or terrorist attack in the offing.
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Earlier, airport security in Manila was breached when a terrorist expert smuggling a bomb into an aircraft to test the efficiency of our airport security system.
The government's solution: Sue the person who did the test.
It's just like nipping the problem in the mud, not in the bud.
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The CRS admitted yesterday that it took video and still pictures in Congress, but said they are not spying at all.
They're just doing undercover work, I guess.
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Twenty-two students in Silay City, Negros Occidental were rushed through the hospital for eating snack called "okoy." This food, made of "kamoteng kahoy," may have been mixed by the maker with toxic chemicals from the root crop, thus, the food poisoning.
BFAD and the local government of Silay should look into this, seriously.
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Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan a.k.a. the "butcher" of the NPA's has just retired from office and will work as GMA's deputy for the anti-insurgency campaign in the National Security Council (NSC).
Is this the price of unbridled loyalty to GMA? Is this the price of hundreds of deaths and abductions under Palparan's headship?
Indeed, good dogs get the best bones from their master at all times.
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Employees of Panay Power Corporation--a company owned by Mirant Philippines and is located in Brgy. Ingore, La Paz--are reportedly guaranteed of full employees' protection in the impending sale of the power company.
According to Mirant officials, the workers with five-year tenure will be earning almost three times as much as required by law.
Let's see.
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After getting the top prize in the World Cup in Wales with fellow compatriot Francisco "Django" Bustamante, Efren "Bata" Reyes ruled anew the world in billiards and managed to pocket the P25-million worth international Pool Tour's World Open 8-Ball Championship. This was made three days after another Filipino bowler in the person of Biboy Rivera snitched the gold crown in Busan, South Korea for the World Men's Championships.
What a proud week for the brown race!
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Great Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair promised to quit in one year to calm down his critics for the good of the English nation.
Can GMA do the same?
Not even in our dreams. She's not a "kapit tuko" president (elect?) for nothing.
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My Ateneo students just finished our weeklong debate on energy last week. The proposition: What's the best source of energy for the Philippines from 2010 to 2050?
I was really amazed with their presentations and the exchange of ideas in the argumentation proper. They were so persuasive that I was almost convinced that often-disliked coal-fired power plants and nuclear power plants are also decent answers for the country's energy crisis. The students later resolved the deadlock and agreed that:
1. Energy is very vital to human development, hence it must be taken up by all quarters seriously.
2. Maximization of the countries natural resources according to what is available in the locality must be done, without setting aside concerns on environment, social acceptability, ethical standards, political will, and efficiency.
3. Society must invest in alternative sources of energy (geothermal, hydroelectric, solar, wind, biomass, etc.) for the future generations.
Amen.
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In a study conducted by students of University of California, it shows that if a person is in love with himself, possibility is he can be a good material in showbiz.
I never thought that narcissism is an indicator for being a good celebrity. Nevertheless, the findings make a lot of sense.
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Oil Spill update: 2 deaths, 1,100 persons still suffering from oil spill-related ailments, 150 families (600 persons) have evacuated, dolphins, fish and turtles dying, nearby corral reef seriously affected.
The ominous reality goes on.
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Batista, the world heavyweight entertainment wrestling champion, is a Filipino.
Well, that explains why he has a tattoo of the Philippine flag over his left arm.
"The Animal" is another addition to the country's collection of world greats.
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2007 Elections is in the offing. Using the PPCRV's criteria for choosing good candidates, let us see if we can pick out the best in the short list that we have at present:
1. Must show a commitment to his/her chosen religion and respect other religions;
2. Must be pro-democracy and pro-people;
3. Must be competent and must have a good track record as a leader;
4. Must have no record in graft and corruption and possess a good track record as leader;
5. Must have a life, career, and lifestyle that is a testament to his or her convictions;
6. Must be qualified for the position he or she is running for in terms of academic achievement and work experience;
7. Must have strong moral character and eschew vices like gambling, excessive drinking, extravagant spending and "riotous living," and must not be materialistic or sexually promiscuous;
8. Must uphold and defend the Constitution and democratic institutions at all cost and inspire other to love their country;
9. Must respect and love the poor and underprivileged, and must show integrity and transparency.
Will your candidate pass in the PPCRV standard?
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13% of the youth at their voting age are not yet registered in Comelec.
Maybe they can't see the point.
"It won't be counted anyways," says one criminology student from University of Iloilo I interviewed. "The elections will still be rigged, so why should I register?" another UPV accounting student argued.
Maybe they, indeed, have a point.
(Engr. Herman Lagon may be reached through h_lagon@yahoo.com.)