Controversial Archives - Page 5 of 6 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Aug62009 by Mindanaoan Irene12 Comments

President Arroyo dead | How Manila Bulletin killed President Gloria Arroyo

Blogging, Commentary, Controversial, Government, Headline, Humor, Internet, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Personalities, Photos, Politics, Technology

This controversial picture has been doing the rounds online today (this has been shared and re-shared through Facebook and blogs) but just in case you didn't get to see this, here's one major faux pas courtesy of broadsheet Manila Bulletin. Manila Bulletin "killed" President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo! What do you think of this and what do you think will happen to the section editor of Manila Bulletin? Check out the photo found in this entry. Notice the caption: “With utmost care. Military honor guard carefully moves the coffin of President Arroyo out of the Manila Cathedral.” The controversial Manila Bulletin photo was published in the early edition, page 20. However, I was told that the section containing the picture was promptly removed from the newspaper sets distributed in Visayas ...

Jul212009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

PGMA in Bukidnon Mindanao today, to hold cabinet meeting – and why I want to be a fly on the wall

Bukidnon, Controversial, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Politics

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is set to be in the Province of Bukidnon today, July 21, 2009. This trip, reportedly her 7th in Mindanao so far this year, could be, in my opinion, quite a controversial one. First of all, she's supposed to hold a cabinet meeting in Malaybalay City, the capital of Bukidnon. Why Bukidnon of all places, you ask? Exactly. Bukidnon is the "political home" of the Zubiris. Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri served as congressman in the third district for 9 years. Incumbent Bukidnon governor Jose Ma. Zubiri, Jr. is on his last term. Bukidnon 3rd District Congressman Joey Zubiri is Migs' brother and eldest son of the governor. Malaybalay City Vice Mayor Ignacio "Inaki" Zubiri, nephew of the governor and cousin of the senator, is said to be eyeing the mayoralty post in ...

Jul142009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Let’s not forget the 3 kidnapped teachers…part deux

Advocacy, ARMM, Basilan, Commentary, Controversial, Crime, Government, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao, News, Sulu, Zamboanga Sibugay

MINDANAO - Opposition senator and reported 2010 presidentiable Francis "Chiz" Escudero and I share the same sentiments. Chiz Escudero, in his recent press statement, has asked the public that while it's true that we all should be happy for International Red Cross volunteer Eugenio Vagni's safe release from captivity in Basilan, we should still not forget the three teachers who remain hostages of the Abu Sayyaf. If you remember, these are my very thoughts last May 2009. The three teachers namely Jocelyn Enriquez, Jocelyn Inion and Noemi Mandi were abducted by last March 13 off the island barangay of Bangkaw-Bangkaw, Naga town, Zamboanga Sibugay while they were on the way home. “The end of Mr. Vagni’s ordeal should convince those working behind the scenes to exert more effort in...

Jul92009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Full list of 58 erring contractors suspended by the DPWH – Mangima Road, Manolo Fortich contractor among those suspended

Announcements, Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Commentary, Consumer, Controversial, Davao City, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Update, News, Tourism, Travel

MINDANAO - If you've recently tried a Bukidnon-Cagayan de Oro City road trip or a Davao City-Bukidnon-Cagayan de Oro City road trip, then you've most likely noticed the bottleneck of traffic at the Mangima Road section of Sayre Highway, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, Mindanao. There's currently a road and rehabilitation project there and I absolutely dread that section. I was once stuck there for 5 hours (!) during a Malaybalay City to Cagayan de Oro City trip. It usually just takes me 2 hours. You could just imagine the amount of time I've wasted! That Mangima Canyon Road repair project has been a cause of delays and loads of inconvenience for the riding public for months now. In fact, in an effort to ease the traffic somehow, the Provincial Government of Bukidnon has requested that no 1...

Jul82009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Sara Duterte declared as the next mayor of Davao City

Controversial, Davao City, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News, Opinion, Personalities, Photos

MINDANAO - Davao City Mayor Rodrigo "Rody" Duterte is bequeathing his thrown throne (thanks for pointing out this typo, Sir Mike! Ayayay!) And his daughter, Davao City Vice Mayor Sara "Inday Sara" Duterte is, naturally, next in line. Recently, I was in my hometown Davao City for a Philippine Councilors League gig. The boys provided the live band entertainment the night the closing ceremonies was held (June 27 at Grand Regal Hotel Ballroom, Lanang) and there were roughly a thousand councilors from all over the Philippines present. The night's guest speaker was no other than Inday Sara. Actually, while the boys and I were waiting for the program to begin, you could hear the buzz. A lot of councilors were curious about her --- how she looked like (how come she didn't look like her fath...

Jul62009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Why blame the Mindanao media all the time?

Advocacy, ARMM, BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Broadcasting, Commentary, Controversial, Crime, Government, Headline, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, Tourism

My classmate in Ateneo and Sarangani provincial governor Miguel Rene Dominguez is asking for trouble. Not a few eyebrows will surely be raised after he reportedly blamed the Mindanao media for "always highlighting all the bad things that are happening in Mindanao." Same goes with Lt. Colonel Edgardo de Leon, commander of the 73rd Infantry Battalion, who also blamed the media. Dominguez said that the "insurgency and other conflicts in Mindanao is actually just a game of perception. And I blame the media for that!" He reportedly then said that the culture of the media today, except for a few who are practicing peace journalism, is not very commendable. De Leon, on the other hand, said that the rest of the country's and the world's perception of Mindanao at present is also the work of t...

Jul22009 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Mindanao vice mayor incurs 99 absences out of 100 council sessions

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Commentary, Controversial, Government, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, Society, Weird

The banner story of a Mindanao regional newspaper yesterday, July 1, 2009, may have been surprising for many (shocking even) but for a Mindanao journalist like me who has been working around politicians for quite a while, it was really nothing new. The same thing, although probably not as "worse," has been happening not only in the local city councils but also even down to barangay councils and even in the Senate and Congress. According to Mindanao Gold Star Daily, Cagayan de Oro City Vice Mayor Vicente Emano has reportedly incurred 99 absences out of 100 council sessions. That means Emano has presided only ONCE since assuming office. Emano reportedly only attended the inauguration of the present Cagayan de Oro City council and that was it. And as if to really add "more color" to...

Jun302009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mindanao pride Manny Pacquiao to star in “Wapakman”

Announcements, Arts, Bisaya, Controversial, Entertainment, General Santos City, Headline, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Movies, Personalities, Sarangani

All right, so I was in Cinema 3 of Gaisano Mall of Davao, waiting for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen to begin, when this movie trailer started rolling. I found it so damn funny! It turned out to be the movie teaser of Mindanaoan Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao's upcoming film entitled "Wapakman." And take note...Pacquiao will star in "Wapakman" alongside Pussycat Dolls lead Nicole Scherzinger and WWF's Batista! Of course, we all know that Scherzinger is part-Pinay and Batista is proud of his Filipino roots as well. Check out the teaser of Manny Pacquiao's "Wapakman" movie: The Pacman will start shooting this film next month, July. Topel Lee will direct. I'm curious, though...will this movie be shown in time for the 2010 national elections?

Jun302009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Disappointed with two Davao City taxi drivers

Consumer, Controversial, Davao City, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Tourism

So I was in Davao City over the weekend for their Philippine Councilors' League gig. Since I'm a certified Dabawenya (born and raised in Davao City!), I was the self-appointed "tour guide" of sorts during our two-day stay in the largest city in the world. Now what I'm about to share is NOT to lambast anyone. Instead, I'm hoping that somehow this could serve as a wake-up call not only for the City Tourism Office of Davao City but also for the hundreds of taxi drivers in Davao City as well. You see, on our first night in Davao, our group, composed of five people, caught two taxis from Matina Town Square (MTS). Ches and I rode in one taxi while the other three rode in the other one. I won't name the taxi company anymore. Suffice it to say that it may take me a while before I flag down o...

Jun262009 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Who was Michael Jackson to you?

Advocacy, Arts, Blogging, Consumer, Controversial, Entertainment, Features, Headline, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Personalities, Society

Please feel free to share your thoughts! I would love to hear from you...WHO WAS MICHAEL JACKSON TO YOU? Who was Michael Jackson, the renowned "Gloved One," the "King of Pop," to you? How did his life, talents, skills and accomplishments affect you? When he died, how did you feel? What were your thoughts? Today, June 26, 2009 (June 25, 2009 in the U.S.), the world awakens to the sad news of Michael Jackson's death. The Los Angeles coroner confirmed that at roughly 2:26 PM of June 25, 2009 (U.S. time), MJ passed away. Michael Jackson, despite all of the controversies hounding him, will undoubtedly remain as one of the greatest artists of all time. He was a part of our childhood. His music, talent, grooves, style, love and the capacity to draw people together at least in the spirit...

Jun252009 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Michael Jackson dead at 50…is this for real?

Blogging, Commentary, Controversial, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Society, Technology

Like millions of fans around the world, I woke up today shocked and with tears in my eyes. I woke up to the sound of a CNN report saying that the King of Pop - THE Michael Jackson - has been hospitalized and then went into a deep coma. A few minutes later, L.A. Times, AP and Fox News confirmed that Michael Jackson has died at the age of 50. Interestingly, and even right at this moment as I am blogging this, CNN STILL has not yet confirmed the news that Michael Jackson has died. Which is a good thing because basic journalism ethics state that news should always be verified before you broadcast it, lest you want to create senseless or unreasonable commotion. Right now, at this very moment, tears are rolling down my eyes. In my heart, I am hoping that Michael Jackson is still alive....

Jun172009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Poker and gambling center OK’d in Iligan City, Mindanao

Business, Commentary, Consumer, Controversial, Entertainment, Government, Iligan City, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, News, Society, Sports

MINDANAO -So is it just me or is poker really becoming more and more popular here in the Philippines particularly here in Mindanao? Some of my friends are getting hooked on the game and I don't mean online poker or that popular Texas Hold 'Em poker application in Facebook. I mean poker games in private homes, special facilities, gambling centers and the like. The latest poker and gaming facility to be given the green light is one that's owned by the Kagayanon Sports Club, Inc. It will be located inside the Iliganon Convenience Store, Coffee Shop and Restobar located along Quezon Avenue, Barangay Palao, Iligan City, Mindanao. This poker center in Iligan City will reportedly be enclosed and of course, no minors will be allowed inside the area. How the owners or operators could assure t...

Jun72009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan Manny “Pink Lips” Pacquiao for Nikon Coolpix

Business, Controversial, General Santos City, Humor, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Sarangani, Society, SoSCksargen, Weird

Before anything else, let me make this clear. I love Manny Pacquiao. I have the utmost respect for the man. He has brought pride and glory to the Philippines and Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao really is one of the world's best athletes of all time. Plus he's a certified Mindanaoan! So of course I'm proud of him! However...I cannot help but be tickled pink with my fellow Mindanaoan's new ad for Nikon Coolpix: Is it just me or are Manny's lips PINK?! What the smokes was the stylist/make-up artist thinking?! EGAD! Now this is one "UN-COOLPIX" :(

Jun52009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Sen. Ping Lacson’s speech at the ANC Leadership Forum

Announcements, Commentary, Controversial, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Opinion, Personalities

Full text of Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson's speech - statement at the ANC Leadership Forum held earlier this evening, June 5, 2009. Sen. Ping Lacson reportedly withdrew from the 2010 Presidential elections. Sen. Ping has been identified as one of the presidentiables in next year's national elections. The following is Senator Ping's full statement delivered last June 5, 2009 at the ANC Leadership Forum. Thank you to Gerry of the Office of Sen. Ping for this full statement: Thank you for this invitation to the second ANC Leadership Forum. Up until I made a decision last Sunday to retire myself from a race that would matter most in the lives of our beloved countrymen, I had every intention to share with our people my vision of what the Philippines ought to be in a Ping Lacson pres...

May252009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Let’s not forget the kidnapped teachers in Basilan, Mindanao please

Advocacy, ARMM, Basilan, Commentary, Controversial, Crime, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao, News, Opinion

Amid all the "controversies" these days --- from Dr. Vicki Belo's former flame Dr. Hayden Kho's sex video scandal to the two confirmed cases of A H1N1 in the country to Brillante Mendoza's amazing win as Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival, it seems that we don't hear of any updates with regard to the six teachers that are still being held hostage in Basilan, Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). I find this very, very unfortunate. While it's true that to not talk much about the hostage taking may be good for the government's strategy to retrieve the hostages, one cannot also help but think if all the "current controversies" merely "cover" the more important and more pressing issues. Last I heard, there's a Basilan crisis management committee that's handling the matte...

May192009 by Mindanaoan Irene8 Comments

Is Xavier University to blame for the recent suicides?

Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Commentary, Controversial, Mindanaoan Update, News, Opinion

So two students of Ateneo de Cagayan University (Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao) have committed suicide in the past few weeks. Roldan Bacadon, who graduated magna cum laude no less, committed suicide last Black Saturday. He allegedly drank poison and was allegedly depressed. A few weeks later, 20-year old Iphraim dela Cruz, a Xavier University Nursing student hanged himself to death. Again, it was allegedly because of depression. Dela Cruz allegedly got a failing grade. Observers are now asking: is it high time for Xavier University to re-examine their standards? Is it high time for the school to re-evaluate their teachers? Or are these student-suicides just two unfortunate random incidents? Is Xavier University to blame for these suicides? What are your th...

May42009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanao growth threatened by power shortage

Advocacy, Announcements, Business, Commentary, Controversial, Davao City, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Sarangani

Opposition Sen. Chiz Escudero said over the weekend that the growth of Mindanao may be stunted unless investments in the power sector start pouring in. “Mindanao is where a fourth of the country’s population lives. Unless we take steps to ensure sufficient power on the island by creating a conducive environment for investments, we as a nation will be headed for a crisis,” Escudero said. He called for the immediate privatization of the government’s power generation and distribution assets in the region and to allow free market forces to determine costs rather than keeping power rates artificially low supposedly to attract industries. He said investments in Mindanao’s power sector are unlikely if power pricing problems remain unsettled Despite a recent increase to P2.8177 per kil...

Apr282009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson’s April 27, 2009 privilege speech (full text)

Advocacy, Announcements, Controversial, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities

If you're as baffled yet curious as I am with all this Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson versus Senator Manuel "Manny" Villar "ethics war," then you might want to give this a read. Here's the full text of Senator Ping's privilege speech yesterday, April 27, 2009, delivered before his fellow legislators. (Privilege Speech) By Hon. Panfilo M. Lacson Senator April 27, 2008 This will be a short privilege speech. At the outset I would like to thank the minority leader for yielding the floor to this representation and likewise to the lady senator from Antique. Mr. President, I stand on a matter of personal and collective privilege. Last Monday, 20 April 2009, this representation took the floor to clarify certain misleading statements made by some of our colleagues at the minority bloc in ...

Apr212009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

RTMI bus bombed in Kabacan, North Cotabato…and I was just there 2 days ago!

Bukidnon, Controversial, Crime, Iligan City, Koronadal, Lanao del Norte, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao, News, South Cotabato

My, my...this really scared the wits out of me. Less than 24 hours after I posted this entry about my first ever trip to Koronadal City (where the Rural Transit Bus I took had a brief stop at Kabacan, North Cotabato), I found out that a Rural Transit bus with body number 2772 got bombed Monday afternoon. And I was just there...in the very same place...two days ago! An improvised bomb reportedly exploded inside the bus. A passenger, who allegedly boarded the vehicle in Bukidnon, left a bag at the back part of the vehicle. The bomb explosion left four people injured. Coincidentally, a bomb also exploded at a bridge in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Mindanao. The bridge has been declared "unsafe for passage." When will all these ever end?

Apr102009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

The presidentiables, senatoriables are now reaching out to Mindanao

Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Commentary, Controversial, Government, Headline, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, Society

The next Philippine national elections may still be a little over a year away from today but the various personalities believed to be among the "2010 senatoriables" and "2010 presidentiables" have started to make their presence felt here in Mindanao. Just a few days ago, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay paid Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao a visit. He was the guest of honor in an SK-related event, I think. However, sources told me that he also proceeded to the Province of Bukidnon to meet some political allies. Care to guess what they discussed? Senator Mar Roxas, on the other hand, has also been visible around Mindanao as of late. Touted as the Liberal Party's presidential bet, Senator Mar has been doing the rounds here as commencement exercises speaker. Same thing with the solon fro...

Mar122009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

After Villar and Teodoro, Bukidnon’s Zubiri is now endorsing Loren Legarda

Bukidnon, Controversial, Government, Headline, Kaamulan Festival, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personalities

I cannot help but wonder what's going on Bukidnon Governor Jose Zubiri, Jr.'s mind right now. Isn't he supposed to be a LAKAS-CMD member? What's he doing endorsing NPC member Senator Loren Legarda as "the next President" of the country? Zubiri publicly called Legarda "the next Philippine President" and "President Legarda" during the female senator's recent visit to the Province of Bukidnon, Mindanao. Legarda served as the guest of honor during the 92nd Foundation Day (Aldaw Ta Bukidnon) of the Province of Bukidnon last March 10, 2009. Before thousands of people, the Bukidnon governor and father of current Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri called on his constituents to support Legarda. Zubiri's statement has raised a lot of questions. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS? Photo courtesy of ...

Mar12009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Exactly who in Lanao del Norte, Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Caraga received the P2.7M worth of checks?

Cagayan de Oro City, Caraga, Commentary, Controversial, Davao City, Government, Headline, Lanao del Norte, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Opinion

This is exactly why I sometimes dislike writing news articles based on press releases or announcements (especially those from government entities.) You really don't get the minute details, you know that most of the time these PRs are just to "beautify" the government's image and if you really need to get to the bottom of things, you have to exert effort and really research. Unfortunately for journalists like me, however, there really are days when you don't have any other choice but to stick to the PR or media statement and hope that your article comes out fair, balanced and factual. I read a rather interesting article today."Displaced OFWs from Mindanao get P2.7M gift from Arroyo" - GMANews The article claimed that President Gloria Arroyo handed out a total of 33 checks worth P2.7 m...