Know the Latest About The Spirit of the Law

A lawyer is known to be a professional person who is authorized to practice law and conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice. But what happened to the lawyers now a days? They are they are too concern about their business compared to their profession. I’m so disappointed that they can simply follow the spirit of the law. I am very eager to put my name with them in the list of attorneys someday, But hearing the news about Estrada running again as a president? I give a damn!

We all know who is Joseph Estrada, and to hear the reports that he will run on the election in 2010, means only he don’t know about the law. He has stated in interviews that he would be willing to run for the opposition in the event that they are unable to unite behind a single candidate. As Rufus Rodriquez, one of Estrada's lawyer’s claims that the former president is within his rights to do so because the prohibition banning re-election only applies to the incumbent president. However, Fr. Joaquin Bernas and Christian Monsod, members of the constitutional commission that drafted the 1987 Constitution, have stated that the constitution clearly prohibits any successfully-elected president from seeking a second term at any point in time.

In Article VII Section 4 of our constitution, it states that The President and the Vice-President shall be elected by direct vote of the people for a term of six years which shall begin at noon on the thirtieth day of June following the day of the election and shall end at noon of the same date six years thereafter. The President shall not be eligible for any reelection. No person who has succeeded as President and has served as such for more than four years shall be qualified for election to the same office at any time.

No Vice-President shall serve for more than two consecutive terms. Voluntary renunciation of the office for any length of time shall not be considered as an interruption in the continuity of the service for the full term for which he was elected.

This is what the law clearly states, and this should be strictly followed. Who are they to be above the law?

Know the latest, I'll Pay It Forward

I awe what I have today to somebody I don't personally know who he really was. A person who gave me a lot of opportunity and gave me a chance to live my life more than I could.

I can barely feel the chill running in my human veins by simply looking at the old letter and cards sent to me by Mr.CHI HANG WONG and his wife CLARENCE WONG, It was indeed an old letter but the essence of care is still there. Years have past since they sent me a letter and until now, I still kept it not only of the value and importance but also to remind me that I awe somebody a lot and I have a responsibility that hoping someday I could give back what I have now even not directly to them but to a child who needs help like I was before.

I am Tina joy Florence Aminni C. Pedrosa,a graduate of Bachelor of Arts major in Political Science,through the help of World Vision Scholarship Program. And I am writing this blog hoping to see Mr. Clarence Wong and his Wife Clarence Wong which is my sponsor to thank them for the love and the help they extend to me to finish my education.

I don't maybe have enough access to heartily say to you even just a simple thank you for your kindness but I m hoping that through this blog I could someday see you. I would like you also both to know the latest about me,that I am studying Law here in the Philippines.I cant be this far with out your help before, You made a lot difference in my life.

Know the Latest Critics and their Criticisms

Former President Joseph Estrada said the declaration of martial law was not necessary to bring back peace and order in Maguindanao. And what would be his suggestion to bring peace, he is good in criticizing Arroyo on how to run the country, infarct he is far than worst when he is still in the position. It’s good to take action than sitting and watching crimes.
He said that back in 2000 his administration was able to overrun 46 rebel camps, including the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's Camp Abubakar in Mindanao without the need to declare martial law. How come? tshuh…..duh?
Former President Fidel Ramos also thinks that the imposition was unnecessary, and in fact an "overreaction" to the situation in Maguindanao. 57 Citizens of the Republic of the Philippines died, what does he soppose to expect? Neglect as if nothing happened…!
Senators led by Francis Escudero, Francis Pangilinan, Benigno Simeon Aquino, Manuel Roxas II, Loren Legarda, and Jamby Madrigal had also aired their opposition to the move of Mrs. Arroyo.

Roque in a text message to GMANews, the Constitution limits the ground (to declare martial law) to rebellion and invasion. None of these grounds are existent.
There is always a rebellion in Mindanao and everybody is aware of that.!
Robbin Padilla said in Failon ngayon that panahon na para maging Federal ang Pilipinas!. Why what’s wrong of our current system of government? Funny huh?

My professor said that my opinion will only be valid once I become a lawyer, but this is just a mere sentiment.In fact, It’s hard to become one because Philippines have a lot of bright lawyers that you sometimes drown when they argue of right and wrong, but I am asking you to read Art 7 Sec. 18 of our counstitution, for you to have a better understanding and be the sole judge the president’s proclamation.

Know the Latest in Maguindanao,Under the State of Martial Law

Too much politics, too much for the criticisms!

The declaration of the Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is being questioned, if it is in deed lawful or simply a step for the presidents self interest.
The Philippines are vested to have wise lawyers,in fact I am aspiring to become one of them, but the question is is it really just to declare a state of Marshall law in Maguindanao?

Our Constitution provides in Section 18. The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion. In case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it, he may, for a period not exceeding sixty days, suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or place the Philippines or any part thereof under martial law. Within forty-eight hours from the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, the President shall submit a report in person or in writing to the Congress. The Congress, voting jointly, by a vote of at least a majority of all its Members in regular or special session, may revoke such proclamation or suspension, which revocation shall not be set aside by the President. Upon the initiative of the President, the Congress may, in the same manner, extend such proclamation or suspension for a period to be determined by the Congress, if the invasion or rebellion shall persist and public safety requires it.

The Congress, if not in session, shall, within twenty-four hours following such proclamation or suspension, convene in accordance with its rules without need of a call.

The Supreme Court may review, in an appropriate proceeding filed by any citizen, the sufficiency of the factual basis of the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or the extension thereof, and must promulgate its decision thereon within thirty days from its filing.

A state of martial law does not suspend the operation of the Constitution, nor supplant the functioning of the civil courts or legislative assemblies, nor authorize the conferment of jurisdiction on military courts and agencies over civilians where civil courts are able to function, nor automatically suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus.

The suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall apply only to persons judicially charged for rebellion or offenses inherent in, or directly connected with, invasion.

During the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, any person thus arrested or detained shall be judicially charged within three days, otherwise he shall be released.

The Massacre

Upon watching the television and radio reports,Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu invited 37 journalists to cover the scheduled filing of his certificate of candidacy (COC) at the Commission on Elections provincial office in Shariff Aguak. For He said that reports had reached him that his rivals had threatened to chop him into pieces once he filed his COC, and felt the presence of journalists would deter such an attack.
Based on the report stated in the local news, that at about 9:00 AM, a convoy of six vehicles carrying journalists, lawyers, and relatives of Vice Mayor Mangudadatu left Buluan to file his COC at the Comelec office in Shariff Aguak. The convoy is composed of six vehicles: four Toyota Grandia vans (one grey, one green, and two white) owned by the Mangudadatu family; and two media vehicles – a Pajero owned by DZRH broadcast journalist Henry Araneta and a Mitsubishi L-300 van owned by UNTV.

There is a seventh vehicle, a Grandia boarded by mediamen. But it lags behind and decides to turn around once the passengers sense what is happening. There are two other vehicles that are not part of the convoy but happen to be traveling on the same highway: a red Toyota Vios and a light blue Toyota Tamaraw FX. The Vios has five passengers: Eduardo Lechonsito, a government employee who is bound for a hospital in Cotabato City after suffering a mild stroke Monday morning. He is with his wife Cecille, co-workers Mercy Palabrica and Daryll delos Reyes, and driver Wilhelm Palabrica. The FX is driven by Anthony Ridao, employee of the National Statistics Coordination Board, and son of Cotabato City councilor Marino Ridao.

Before reaching its destination (about 10 km from Shariff Aguak, four on other versions), the convoy was stopped by 100 armed men, who abducted and later killed most or all of its members. There is evidence that at least five of the female victims, four of them journalists, were raped before being killed,while "practically all" of the women had been shot in their genitals and beheaded. Mangudadatu's youngest sister and aunt were both pregnant at the time of their murders.

A text message was sent by Mangudadatu's wife that she identified the people that blocked their way as the men of Ampatuan Jr, and that he himself slapped her.According to Secretary of Justice Agnes Devanadera,The female victims were shot in their genitals. According to Mangudadatu, his wife's "private parts were slashed four times, after which they fired a bullet into it." In addition, he said that "They speared both of her eyes, shot both her breasts, cut off her feet, fired into her mouth."

A backhoe located in the immediate vicinity of the carnage at Ampatuan town was identified as the instrument that was used to expediently dig the graves of the victims, including the vehicles. The perpetrators weren't able to complete the job when a helicopter was spotted in the area. The backhoe, emblazoned with the name of Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., was later identified to belong to the Maguindanao provincial government.

As of November 25, the death toll had risen to 57, as confirmed by Chief Superintendent Josefino Cataluna of the Philippine National Police. Reporters Without Borders announced that at least 12 of the victims were journalists, making this the deadliest such incident in the history of news media. The National Union of Journalists in the Philippines originally estimated that a total of 20 journalists were killed, including an undisclosed number of NUJP members.The Philippine Daily Inquirer later updated the number of journalists killed to 34.

On November 24, Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo responded to the news of the massacre by declaring a state of emergency in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato City. Speaker of the House Prospero Nograles called on the police to quickly identify the perpetrators of the massacre and disarm private armies. The Philippine Department of Justice created a panel of special prosecutors to handle cases arising from the massacre.

The Marshall Law

On December 4, 2009, through Proclamation No. 1959, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has officially placed Maguindanao province under a state of martial law. The declaration also suspended the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the province. The announcement was made days after hundreds of government troops were sent to the province, which would later raid armories of the powerful Ampatuan clan. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the step was taken in order to avert the escalation of "lawless" violence in the province and pave the way for the swift arrest of the suspects in the massacre.

Following the declaration, authorities carried out a raid on a warehouse owned by Andal Ampatuan Jr., the alleged mastermind of the massacre.The raid resulted in the confiscation of more than 330,000 live rounds of M16 rifle ammunition, and the arrest of 20 militiamen. Also confiscated in the raid were several firearms, a military humvee and an improvised armored vehicle.

Lets not always think negative effect on the Presidents decisions, the problem is that there are too much criticisms of the action of the government, yet if there is no action we blame them. It is so true that you can't please everybody. I salute the president for taking such action and courage to arrest the Ampatuan's, but this does not mean I totally like how she run the country.

Let the justice be serve! Ampatuan Massacre

Are you aware of what is happening in our beloved Philippine country?

The Maguindanao massacre also known as the Ampatuan massacre that happened on November 23,2009 is the most brutal murder that an official could do just to satisfy his own cravings to acquire his political ambition. The victims were about to file a certificate of candidacy for Esmael Mangudadatu, vice mayor of Buluan town. Mangudadatu was challenging Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr., son of the incumbent Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan, Sr., in the forthcoming Maguindanao gubernatorial election, part of the national elections in 2010. Those killed included Mangudadatu's wife, his two sisters, lawyers, aides, and motorists who were witnesses or were mistakenly identified as part of the convoy.This is disastrous, and we knock for justice to this cold blooded murder of civilians.

This only proves how dirty the politics is, and neglect the freedom of the press as at least 34 journalists are known to have died in the massacre. Our constitution speaks for the freedom of the press in Art. III Sec. IV,who are they to prohibit our right?


Further more, the Ampatuan create a political dynasty in Maguindanao.Andal Sr., as a major ally in Mindanao is a members of Lakas-Kampi-CMD, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo lists . Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) regional governor Zaldy Ampatuan was the party's regional chairman. Andal Sr., the family patriarch, has been provincial governor since 1998; he has been elected thrice, unopposed. Eighteen of the mayors in Maguindanao belong to the clan.

The elder Ampatuan attributed his popularity to "popular support," adding "Because I am so loved by the constituencies of the municipalities, they ask me to have my sons as representatives." In the 2004 presidential elections, Arroyo won 69% of Maguindanao's vote; three years later, the party-backed coalition scored a 12-0 sweep of the senatorial elections in the province. Unable to run for a third term, he is currently grooming his son, Andal, Jr., to succeed him as governor.This is only a small part of how powerful the ampatuan in Maguindanao that they even name the town as Ampatuan in their own District as if owning the entire locality.

I condemn all those involved in the massacre, and hoping that my blog will not be in vain asking all those who care for the country to continue knocking the government to serve justice to the victims and their families, and continue to give untried effort to lessen the crimes and the struggle in politics will end.

Be a part of a little change!