Just odds and ends, presented Expectorants style:

• On the murder of Bayan Muna leaders: the consecutive murders of Bayan Muna leaders are troubling. The AFP and the PNP and the Fortress by the Pasig (care of Norberto Gonzales) advance the idea of a purge – communists killing communists. I find this idea troubling and unbelievable. For one, the Communist Party of the Philippines had indeed conducted purges during the 1980s, which dealt a blow to its reputation and probably caused decline in membership. So why do it again? While it will cleanse the organization, it will only damage their reputation and deter others from joining. In this point it is illogical for the CPP hierarchy to order such action. Unless the CPP is now headed by a group of illogical persons.

  Also, it is the duty of the State to protect its citizens. Murders such as these are failures of the State in protecting its citizens. It also shows that there is a failure in the government’s maintenance of law and order. Or, this administration no longer considers Bayan Muna members as citizens of this country. So what if it is a purge? It is still murder, a crime defined under the Revised Penal Code. The PNP must resolve the cases, as it is their duty.

  And also, once and for all, Bayan Muna and similar organizations must categorically deny that they are affiliated with CPPand its armed wing.

• The Internet was usually a reliable source of information. Not anymore.

  Jon Mariano wondered how come GMA has appointed more than 15 justices in the Supreme Court, with no retiring justice until the end of the year.

  The culprit is the ABS-CBN News item that he had read: Palace names 4 Supreme Court justices. Another article was published, this time correctly noting that the appointees were for the Court of Appeals: Court of Appeals has 4 new justices. How I wish ABS-CBN Interactive had issued an erratum.

• Miriam Santiago has proven time and again that principles and beliefs can change. Whether due to enlightenment or plain balimbing, I don’t know. As long as we elect people like her, expect a banana republic for the years to come.
• Justice in this country is really weird and unpredictable. Members of the Parents Enabling Parents Coalition, an organization of parents who bought education plans from the besieged Pacific Plans, were charged with 13 counts of libel at 9 regional trial courts, and arrest warrants were issued. Imagine, the company who had somehow conducted their business badly had the gall to charge their customers with a criminal case! Talk about justice!

  It seems that the libel case stems from several comments made in their Web forum. Now I have issues with this, being a netizen and a maintainer of a Web site. Suppose someone posted a comment in this blog maligning someone else. Should I be charged with libel? Should I be held responsible for someone else’s post in my Web site?

  Now, some might argue that I should be responsible enough to delete comments like these. But would that constitute violation of the Bill of Rights? But then again, some might retort that not all rights are absolute, which would now turn this argument into a chicken-or-egg debate.

  I do not believe in censorship and libel. And if the facts of the case are true, then the said libel suit doesn’t wash. Sub judice, so end of story.