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

Sep272010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Photos taken at the Senate: the day of Sen. Miriam Santiago’s jueteng expose

Controversial, Events, Features, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Photos

Apart from attending the 17th National Public Relations Congress, another thing I did during my recent trip to Manila was visit the Senate of the Philippines. It was supposed to be a quick visit but it turned into an almost 3-hour stay. The reason: Senator Miriam Santiago's jueteng expose. The feisty Ilonggo senator, in her privilege speech, accused several persons including Chavit Singson, Bong Pineda (a known friend of former President Gloria Arroyo), Atong Ang (a known ally of former President Erap Estrada), Tony Santos and Danny Soriano as alleged jueteng lords and even went on to say that the Philippine National Police and the Department of Interior and Local Government are in cahoots. Leave it to Sen. Miriam Santiago to shock and awe everyone. Well, this blogger from Mindanao t...

May102010 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Two Mindanaoan senatorial candidates get my vote

Advocacy, Bisaya, Blogging, Bukidnon, Commentary, Controversial, Features, Government, Headline, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Marawi City, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Muslim Mindanao, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, Politics

With just a few hours before May 10, 2010 - the very day the Philippines is set to hold its first ever automated elections - I, Mindanaoan, would like to share to you two choices I've already made. I'm set to vote for these two senatorial candidates and I'm proud to let you know that both of them are from Mindanao. Both Mindanaoans and both I've had the utmost honor to work with. I'm voting for Adel Tamano (#54 on the ballot) and Neric Acosta (#1 on the ballot). Before I delve into the finer details as to why I'm voting for these senatoriables from Mindanao, let me quote something from respected columnist Manolo Quezon III (my idol!): "The job of a senator is not just about legislation, it’s about oversight, with the latter being more relevant and required than the former. The House...

Feb32010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Sen. Ping Lacson’s statement on his absence from Senate

Announcements, Controversial, Government

Press statement of Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson. Senator Ping explains why he left the country and why he has been absent from Senate proceedings amid reports that a warrant of arrest will soon be issued. Mindanaoan reckons that this may be a national issue but this is still something that you and I must also be familiar with. The senator has finally confirmed that he has left the country, amid reports that the courts may soon issue a warrant of arrest against him in relation to the Dacer-Corbito murder case. So fellow Mindanaoan, don't just listen to one side. Listen to both parties and decide who's telling the truth. Let's see if justice truly does still prevail in this country. The following the full text of Senator Ping Lacson's statement. Mindanaoan received this straight f...

Aug242009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Rumored presidentiable Sen. Chiz Escudero and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte share a light moment during Kadayawan Festival 2009

Blogging, Davao City, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Photos, Politics

Fans of rumored presidentiable Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo "Rody" Duterte will love the picture in this Mindanaoan blog entry. Opposition Sen. Chiz Escudero was one of the main guests of Mayor Rody during festivities marking the city’s Kadayawan Festival 2009 last August 22, 2009. Judging by the happy smiles on the faces of these two popular political personalities, do you think this is a sign of an alliance to come? WHAT DO YOU THINK? In his visits to Mindanao, by the way, Escudero has repeatedly called for increased investments by government in agriculture and infrastructure to maximize the island’s economic potential.

Aug122009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, Rep. Teddy Casino, Atty. Alex Lacson, Neric Acosta, Rep. Risa Hontiveros lead Register and Vote Campaign CDO schools visit – pictures inside

Advocacy, Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Events, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Photos, Politics

Here are the photos Mindanaoan (me!) took during the recent Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao leg of the Register and Vote (RV) Campaign - specifically during the two students fora held at the Mindanao University of Science and Technology and Cagayan de Oro College - both Cagayan de Oro City schools. Mindanaoan was privileged enough to have accompanied the Team Kiko group last July 30, 2009. This RV campaign, which is spearheaded by Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, aims to draw out 5 to 9 million first time voters, encourage them to register at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and then come May 2010, exercise their right to suffrage. Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, AKBAYAN Partylist Rep. Risa Hontiveros, former Bukidnon Rep. Neric Acosta, BAYAN Partylist Rep. Teddy Casino and author Atty. ...

Feb82009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Senate commends Mindanaoan junior tennis champ Francis “Nino” Belderol Alcantara

Arts, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Sports

The Philippine Senate recently formally commended Mindanaoan Francis Casey "Niño" Alcantara, the first Filipino Australian Open champ, via a resolution. Just this week, the senators unanimously adopted Senate Resolution Number 860 authored by Senator Pia Cayetano commending the country's newest sports phenomenon. Alcantara recently nabbed the Junior Boys Doubles crown of the Australian Open Tennis Championships. Alcantara played alongside partner Cheng-Peng Hsiehtoi of Taiwan. Alcantara, 17 years old, is a student of Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan University) in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. The son of a Bukidnon native (his mother Sarah is from Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, Mindanao), this young Mindanaoan is the very first Filipino to win a "Grand Slam" tennis tournament. * Nin...

Jan292009 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

So I received a cool package recently…

Gifts, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities

Check out the contents of a package sent to me via courier recently. (Apologies for the poor quality of the photos as I only took them via my ever trusty Motorola Krzr phone.) Now...is this a sign of things to come? Is this something die hard supporters should be elated about? Or is this just a way for HIM to thank his friends, fans, foes (?) and supporters? You know...the year 2010 is a presidential election year and this early, we have heard of the many personalities who have made it clear that they have intentions of gunning for the top executive position in Philippine government. From Senator Manny Villar to Senator Mar Roxas to Senator Loren Legarda. Do you think HE will run? Do you think he will face Legarda in the quest to get the NPC Party's nod? And do you think he has...

Jan192009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Is Mindanao really RP’s “Wild West”?

Advocacy, Commentary, Government, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion

This got me thinking when I received a press release from the Office of Sen. Richard Gordon recently. The PR read: "Turn around Mindanao’s image as RP’s ‘Wild West’ – Gordon" The senator said that Mindanao has "gained a negative reputation in the international media as the country’s “Wild, Wild West” due to the continued spate of kidnappings, sporadic bombings, and the poor peace and order situation." Is our beloved island Mindanao really the Philippines' version of the so-called "Wild West"? In a meeting with the Regional Development Council of Region 12 and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Gordon challenged Mindanao executives to turn around Mindanao's negative image from being the “Wild West of the Philippines ” into a premier tourist destination with its unique history and ...

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...

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) ...

Nov132008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Sen. Chiz Escudero proposes 20 years imprisonment for criminally negligent bus drivers

Bukidnon, Government, News

Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero has proposed that bus drivers who commit criminal negligence in road mishaps should face twenty (20) years of imprisonment. This, in the wake of a lot of vehicular accidents as of late. The senator from Sorsogon, who currently chairs both the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, introduced Senate Bill Number 2701 (SBN 2701) which aims to provide more teeth to existing preventive policies to achieve safety benefits. SBN 2701 penalizes criminal negligence committed by common carriers with reclusion temporal, or twelve (12) years to twenty (20) years in prison, in case of death. Common carriers' criminal liability is found in Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code, Criminal Negligence, which provides as p...

Nov52008 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Senator Richard Gordon on Obama’s victory

Headline, News

From the Office of Senator Richard Juico Gordon: “I join the rest of the world in extending our warmest congratulations to US president-elect Barrack Obama for his historic electoral victory. His ascendancy to the most powerful post in the world as the first African-American President signals a political and cultural paradigm shift as it sends a clear and loud message to all peace and freedom-loving nations – CHANGE IS IN OUR HANDS. The impossible has happened. Change has indeed come to America, and it was made possible by the power of the ordinary people." - Sen. Dick Gordon

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 ...

Oct102008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Happy birthday, Sen. Chiz!

Personalities, Society

It's Senator Francis Joseph Guevara "Chiz" Escudero's birthday today! (Betcha didn't know that was his full name, eh?) I just greeted him via text message a few minutes ago. I bet he'll have a great, grand birthday today. I remember the very first time I interviewed him was via text message as well. He was Sorsogon's representative then and was closely associated with former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada. Later on, he served as the late Fernando Poe, Jr.'s spokesperson during the latter's presidential campaign trail. It was a time when I felt that the local newspapers barely had access to the opposition. Most, if not all, of the stories that I read back then were anchored on the side of the administration. There were hardly any comments from the opposition. It was a time when the phra...