Cracking Down on Opinion Blogs

Many breaking news nowadays were not heard and seen first via the traditional forms of media. Online communities are making their presence felt by allowing people to discuss an issue more vigorously and chime in their opinions. The debates have become more colorful and spirited online that its not surprising to see some readers plainly gossiping about them.

This is what happened when Ella Ganda first reported a supposedly massive stock of relief goods that wasn't making it out of the warehouse of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the aftermath of Tropical Storm 'Ondoy'. The report had the local online community gawking, crying, shaking its head, and cracking its knuckles because the storm was responsible for killing almost 600 Filipinos and left thousands more homeless.

E-Mail Scams Targeting Jobseekers

It was reported last January by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that they uncovered an "evolving" email scam targeting prospective overseas Filipino workers heading for Berlin, Germany.

The DFA said the scam appeared to be a variation of the one involving Markel Power International. But a check showed Maleko Power International does not exist in Hamburg, while its address showed a wrong postal code. It also has no phone and fax numbers, and its website was purely in English.

Sympathy Gimmick for Ampatuans?

Presidential Adviser on Mindanao Affairs Jesus Dureza (pictured above, right) claimed on national television yesterday (26 November 2009) that the chopper carrying him and Maguindanao massacre suspect Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. (pictured above, middle) was fired at while on its way from Shariff Aguak to General Santos City.

"At first I heard a noise from under us... only to find out later that we're being fired at," he said.

VIP Treatment for a Massacre Suspect?

After it was confirmed that 57 were already found dead in the country's deadliest political massacre in modern history, many are wondering why Malacañang is not ordering the relief and arrest of main suspect Datu Unsay town Mayor Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr., brother of Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Zaldy Ampatuan (pictured above, center).

Is it because no cases has yet been filed against him for his alleged involvement or is it because the President herself is not clear on how to deal with a staunch ally who delivered the crucial votes in the 2004 Presidential Elections?

Absolute Pardon for a Child Rapist?

Do you remember the former lawmaker in the Philippines who was convicted of child rape by the Makati Regional Trial Court in December 1997 and sentenced to two life terms? Well, his name is Romeo Jalosjos and he is now back in the limelight a few months after he walk free for good following the commutation of his sentence to 16 years courtesy of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Encouraged by his twin election wins in 1998 and 2001 while behind bars, the former representative of Zamboanga del Norte now wants his benefactor to also grant him an absolute pardon to allow him to again run for public office. Her madame excellency is unavailable for comment at this time. But here is mine – why don’t we lock this bloody tosser up again together with those Islamic extremist and throw away the key? Or better still, buy him a one-way ticket to any beach paradise in Basilan and Sulu controlled by Abu Sayyaf bandits, which probably will be happy to share with him their puerile, intolerant and racist nonsense.