That Romney Smirk

*AP Photo from guardian.com.uk

I'm not much of a political person, but this is just a chance for me to vent some steam.  The infamous Romney smirk just gets on my nerves... 

Basilan Incident

One of those times I'm an opinion writer.  The latest headlines have been pretty disturbing.  In a violent ambush, rogue elements from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have claimed the lives of nineteen soldiers in Basilan.  While President Aquino has allowed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to conduct air strikes, he has correctly maintained that an all-out offensive is not the solution to the conflict.  Displacement of civilians and mounting conflict casualties will only serve to prolong the dispute.  Having worked in government during the early eighties, I saw various policy-making forays being discussed at the macro level, and I've heard the pros and cons of how to settle the insurgency problem in Mindanao.  Today, I still feel that the strategy should be focused on development--pour money into Mindanao, increase infrastructure spending over the next five years.  The drive to focus the country's agriculture production in Mindanao, a "land-of-promise" policy birthed in the sixties, is another ideal solution--vast tracks of fertile land are available and the island is not located in the typhoon belt that crosses diagonally from Leyte to Pangasinan.  Third, tourism must be pushed--so much natural wonder, so little access, virtually no place to stay.  Th hardest part is that throughout this 15-year process, there must be some balance in the government's handling of the situation--a lot of carrot-coaxing from the negotiating peace panels, and some stick-wielding from the AFP.  True, this is easier said than done, and there will be a lot of work ahead.  I wish the President the best luck on his job.  Success must be well-earned, and he is in the best position to jump-start the healing process.

Shamcey Supsup

Go go Shamcey!  While at the gym of the Marco Polo Hotel, the gym attendant told me that Shamcey Supsup, the 2011 Philippine representative to the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant managed to place 3rd Runner-Up in the much loved contest.  That"s super! Shamcey is a combination of beauty and brains (she is an architect who graduated Magna cum Laude at the University of the Philippines, and a board top-notcher at that!) and we are very proud of her achievement.  Marvelous job, Shamcey!

The Last Dictator

Hurray for freedom-loving people everywhere!  As of this writing, the fall of Libyan dictator Moamar Gaddafi is quite imminent, although the rebels have not yet identified his actual location.  His 42-year old leadership has been characterized as the longest running dictatorship--hopefully Libya will rise from the ashes of this long fought civil war.  Will he flee to Venezuela?  To Cuba?  Will he fight to the death? Or commit suicide?  Let's see how this one turns out...

Malta & the RH Bill

Malta has finally approved its version of the Divorce law, leaving the Philippines as the only nation in the world that still bans divorce.  Shocked?  Well that's according to the latest news flash.  This is certainly a timely thing in the light of the recent brouhaha brought about by the debates on the Reproductive Health Bill now pending in Congress. Oh my my.... We love to talk about being world-class, but we sometimes stop short--can't we get things done?