Controversial Archives - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Nov272010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Full text – Sen. Ping Lacson’s siblings speak out

Announcements, Blogging, Controversial, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News, Politics

From my mailbox --- received this press release from the Office of Senator Ping Lacson. It's the full text of Senator Panfilo Lacson's sibling's statement "In Defense of Our Family’s Honor." I am printing this verbatim: In every Filipino family, two things are most treasured: honor and home. Our brother, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is accused of masterminding the murder of Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver. The principal evidence against him that the previous administration’s DOJ investigating panel and the court considered “probable cause” was an affidavit by a lone witness, Cesar Mancao. In that affidavit, Mancao narrated a supposed conversation inside a car between Ping and Michael Ray Aquino wherein Ping allegedly ordered Aquino to have Dacer murdered. He claimed to have ov...

Nov112009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mining company in Mindanao hires APO Hiking Society’s Danny Javier

Advocacy, Business, Commentary, Controversial, Corporate, Cotabato, Culture, Davao City, Koronadal, Mindanaoan Update, News, Opinion, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Weird

Yes, you read that right. A mining company operating in the Municipality of Tampakan has hired Danny Javier of the popular group APO Hiking Society. Javier is now a "strategist" for Sagittarius Mines, Inc., a gold and copper mine. As a "strategist," Javier is reportedly supposed to help SMI develop a "better image." It can be recalled that the said mining company, which has business interests in three large areas in Mindanao namely South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Davao del Sur, has and still is facing strong opposition especially from the Church. A lot of non government organizations which advocate environmental sustainability have also expressed their opposition against the operation of Sagittarius Mines. What makes this development noteworthy is that Danny Javier of APO Hiki...

Jan282009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Are you willing to pay P6,000 to the Philippine government just so you can blog?

Advocacy, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Controversial, Headline, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Technology

Because this seems to be the case if ever a proposal dubbed "Guidelines on the Provision of Contents, Information, Applications and Electronic Games" lodged before the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) pushes through. Now, how does this affect Mindanaoan bloggers or content providers here in the Philippines, you ask? This controversial proposal, when loosely translated, would mean that the Philippine government wants to require people to hold licenses in order to create or post content online. And, of course, there will be corresponding fees and charges. Under the proposal, a filing fee of P300.00 shall be imposed and an annual registration fee of P6,000.00. There will also reportedly be surcharges for late filings. While the proposal probably has commendable objectives and w...

Dec162008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Sen. Mar Roxas speaks about last Friday’s Anti-Cha Cha rally

Controversial, News

This one's fresh off the pan! Emailed to Mindanaoan by Senator Mar Roxas' media office in the Senate of the Philippines. Privilege Speech of Senator Mar Roxas’ on last Friday’s Anti-Cha-Cha rally (Delivered on Tuesday, December 16, 2008) Mr. President, may I take a moment of the chamber’s time to rise on a matter of personal privilege. Marami nang nasabi mula nang magsalita ako noong rally noong Biyernes. Maraming nabigla sa bugso ng emosyon. May mga nailang o nagalit. May mga nagsasabing mali ang sinabi ko. Binanatan ako ng Malakanyang. Ginamit nila ang kanilang propaganda machine laban sa akin. Una: gaya noong Biyernes, magsasalita ako nang deretsahan ngayon: I AM NOT SORRY. I am not sorry for speaking my mind and telling the truth as I see it to be. I am not sorry for expressi...

Dec32008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Finally, an update on Mindanaoan journalist Marlene Esperat’s case

Controversial, Crime, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News

I learned from Senator Richard Gordon today that the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is set to revive the investigations into the brutal murder of Mindanaoan journalist Marlene Esperat. Esperat, who exposed an alleged illegal procurement of P432 Million worth of fertilizers, was slain in her own home in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat, Mindanao by an assassin who later on reportedly confessed that he was hired by two officials in the Department of Agriculture - Central Mindanao. What really dismayed me was the fact that she was even gunned down in front of her own children. “This time we will investigate why a resident Ombudsman in the Agriculture Department in Mindanao was killed because she wanted to expose an anomaly. So far, the case has made some progress in courts but the masterminds have ...

Nov252008 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Pictures taken during the Senate Nov. 17, 2008 revamp

Broadcasting, Controversial, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, Photos

What supposed to be was a simple, routinary visit to the Senate of the Philippines last November 17, 2008 turned out to be one very controversial occasion. It was the day when the Senate coup happened. It was the day when the Senate revamp occured. It was the day when Senate President Manny Villar got ousted by his fellow senators and was replaced by Senator Juan Ponce Enrile. And yes, it was also the day when Mindanaoan Senator Juan Miguel "Migs" Zubiri got appointed as Acting Majority Floor Leader. Although I've been receiving some tips via text messages that something "big" and "major" would occur in the next few days, I never thought that IT would happen that day, a seemingly innocent Monday. Anyways, here are the photos I took that day: (CLICK ON THE THUMBNAILS) ...

Oct182008 by Mindanaoan Irene8 Comments

Justice for Mantigue Island, Camiguin residents

Camiguin, Controversial, News, Opinion, Resorts

My family and I went to the Island of Camiguin a few months ago. What supposedly was a time to relax and unwind turned out to be work somehow. You see, when we visited the beautiful islet of Mantigue in Camiguin (the "less popular" islet --- tourists usually go to the famous White Island), we learned from the residents there that the local government has started to send them feelers. The residents said that the local government wanted them off the island as soon as possible because they were considered "illegal occupants." The residents opined, however, that most of them have been born in the island. They asserted that they were "natives" there and that they grew up knowing only one home and that is Mantigue. Over the years, they learned how to fish, culture seaweeds and eventually welcom...

Oct112008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Full text of Reproductive Health Bill (HB 5043)

Controversial, News, Society

For years, this very controversial bill has been the topic of heated debates. The congressmen-authors, especially Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, have been ridiculed, insulted, castigated upon and questioned. Does this controversial reproductive health bill really promote abortion? Is it true that if this bill gets ratified, couples can only have two children? Does it really affect a Roman Catholic's views and beliefs? I have written numerous stories about and in relation to this bill. I have heard both sides. However, I feel there's still lack of information. People should really see for themselves and decide on whether or not this reproductive health, responsible parenthood and population development bill raises flags. The full text of House Bill 5043 may be found after the jump. Please feel ...

Oct92008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

1.6 Billion pesos to buy fluorescent lamps…seriously?!

Controversial, Government, News, Opinion

Bukidnon congressman Teofisto "TG" Guingona III obviously has lots of efficient moles in various government, non government and financial agencies. I mean, how else could he have uncovered the fact that the government plans to take out a loan to the tune of P1.6 Billion just to buy fluorescent lamps? Yes, P1.6 Billion or roughly $35 Million to buy fluorescent lamps. Yes, my jaw dropped, too. I mean, really, who in their right minds would want to spend that much on mere light bulbs when the economy is in shambles, when millions of Filipino children walk barefoot to school, when the ordinary jeepney driver barely meets his daily boundary because of high gas prices, when the ordinary Filipino family can barely eat healthy food everyday and when we're all supposed to tighten our belts...