20
Sep

An open letter to Representative Cajayon

Posted by | Categories Ink

September 20, 2007

Hon. Mary Mitzi L. Cajayon
Representative, Second District
Caloocan City

Dear Representative Cajayon:

I was disappointed when I found out that you are one of the co-authors of the stupid House Bill 2417, the bill that would have postponed for the third time the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. And I am aghast when 149 of you voted to approve this bill on the third reading, and in the fastest time possible. Now if only you and your colleagues work that fast everytime. But I disgress.

By passing that said bill, you and the other 148 are denying us our right to elect and select our barangay officials. Not only that, you and the other 148 are denying us our right to hold our barangay officials accountable by voting them out of office if they have not done their duty. By passing that law, you and the other 148 are violating the Constitution by denying our right of suffrage.

I will tell you why your bill is stupid. This incident happened around 2:30AM today in a barangay in your district. I and other tax-paying citizens residing at your district were sleeping the sleep of the just when a woman began shouting. Then, more shouting from more people, and we got up from our beds thinking if there was trouble afoot. Me and my mother look outside and saw a clearly drunk woman shouting and cursing, while her friends and/or relatives were trying to restrain her. Some of them had to shout back just to restrain her, to no avail. Almost every home within 50 meters were affected by the ruckus.

No barangay official came to restore the peace. And the fact that the barangay captain is your compadre is just salt in the wounds. And don’t ask me for other instances where barangay officials were needed but were scant.

You see, Ms. Cajayon, it is precisely for this reason we need to elect new barangay officials. They had grown so comfortable being power that they had already forgotten their duties. For dereliction of duty, they should be voted out of office. But, no, you and the other 148 want to deny us this right.

During the last campaign period, you walked in our streets, shook our hands, promised to serve us. Now, can you come to our barangay and look straight in our eyes and say, “I am here to serve?” By denying us our right to vote, you do not serve us.

And a good thing, too, that I am a registered voter in Manila. Otherwise, you would have lost my vote. Anyway, see you in three years, when and if I decide to register in Caloocan, one of the worst cities in Metro Manila, because of short-sighted officials like you.

Respectfully yours,

Arbet Bernardo

PS:

The same goes to Representative Jaime Lopez, Second District, Manila, for co-authoring the same stupid bill.

PPS:

Want to know why they want to postpone the elections? Clue: networking.

19
Sep

Cris Anthony Mendez: The Search for Justice

Posted by | Categories Ink | Tagged ,

(This blog post continues the roundup entitled The true barbarians of UP. Check back on this page for news updates.)

Almost a month since the death of Cris Anthony Mendez, the case is far from being solved. But there are small breaks, which is good.

—
11/23/2207 News Update
Sigma Rhoan loses TRO case vs UP in hazing controversy Belat! Buti nga! Seriously, the fact that he is still in hiding speaks loudly about his innocence, no?

11/20/2007 News Update
Doctor faces civil case filed by Mendez family The Mendez family should get a new lawyer. They should file a medical malpractice case against that doctor. They should also ask the Professional Regulation Commission to strip the doctor of his license. I would have asked for more than Php 8 million. And yeah, almost two months after, still no criminal case filed against anyone. It seems that Sigma Rho has done its coverup job well.

11/08/2007 News Update
4 face obstruction raps in Mendez case Funny, they should charge Santos himself. And that Miko Cruz, too. It has been a month, and these two have been invisible since day 1, isn’t that enough ground to charge them with obstruction of justice?

10/31/2007 News Update
UP studes light candles for dead frat neophytes Two months after, no break in CA’s case.

10/26/2007 News Update
Fratman’s lawyer says UP on ‘a fishing expedition’ Yeah, right. Where’s your client, BTW?

10/24/2007 News Updates
UP fraternity man seeks stop to hearings on Mendez death
Sigma Rho member seeks TRO vs UP
It has been quite awhile since the last update to this post. One Sigma Rho member wants the court to stop the UP Student Disciplinary Tribunal hearings. Remember that the QC Police District is waiting for the results of the SDT hearings before it files a case against Sigma Rho members (see 10/24 update, below).

10/13/2007 Update
Frat violence rears its ugly head not just in UP That is not the point, and the letter writer don’t get it. The point is that a UP student was murdered, and Sigma Rho is likely culprit.

10/10/2007 News Update
Doctor’s son a no show in NBI hazing death inquiry This time, NBI should charge Mico with obstruction of justice. They should not wait any longer.

10/07/2007 News Update
Fraternity men wheel in hope to people with disabilities A UP fraternity tries to find relevance in this time where almost everyone is hostile against fraternities.

10/05/2007 News Updates
Doctor allegedly prevented autopsy on Cris Mendez
Witness says no autopsy done on UP hazing victim
Another witness claims that the doctor immediately had the body released without the benefit of an autopsy. That’s obstruction of justice, plain, clear, and simple.

10/04/2007 News Updates
Decision on case vs UP frat members vital to cops’ probe I get the feeling that QCPD is bluffing. If you have an airtight case, you file it, you arrest the suspects.
NBI gives doc’s son one week to show up Sabi nga sa Filipino, baka ginagapang na ng Sigma Rho para manahimik yung anak ng doktor.

10/03/2007 News Update
NBI to seek UP stude’s help on Mendez slay Icasiano’s mother appeals to Sigma Rho. I think it was useless. There’s no use appealing to murderers.

10/02/2007 News Updates
Doctor in Mendez slay shows up at NBI
Doctor in UP hazing shows up at NBI
Crucial updates, folks. Ties up several loose ends. The most surprising (and wicked) news: the doctor’s first lawyer was supposedly supplied by Sigma Rho. The rogues! They wanted the doctor to stonewall for them! They are really desperate to cover their asses.

10/01/2007 Update
Saguisag on Sigma Rogues and the new writ of amparo Rene Saguisag called Sigma Rho as Sigma Rogues. Heh.

9/29/2007 News Updates
UP files raps vs 12 Sigma Rhoans Note that the complaint is an internal one. Also, a rumor of another hazing death is circulating, and if true, it means that the concerned fraternity has learned from Cris’ death. They have employed calibrated, pre-emptive response (CPR). Shame on you, Gloria Arroyo.
Obstruction of justice charge awaits doctor in Mendez case They should have done this aeons ago. NBI should now check with Immigration, and I would not be surprised if the coward is gone.
Don’t forgo due process in Cris Mendez’s case WTF. Due process? Want due process, mister? How about this? A month after Cris’ death, no one has been charged? The fools who were suspended are all missing in action. You want due process, mister? What you need is a slap in the butt and a brain transplant. Your own needs to be discarded. Fast. Inquirer should have not published such a useless rant. (If you notice, this letter uses a variation of the usual Gloria Arroyo apologists. Go to MLQ3‘s blog and read comments made by Bencard and rego.)

9/28/2007 News Update
Fraternities ‘surprised’ by UP president’s directive Not really related to Cris’ case, but it seems fraternities are having a hard time justifying their existence, even concocting reasons for failure to comply with the UP president’s directive.

9/26/2007 News Updates
NBI says doctor in Mendez slay case could face charges and Last chance for doctor linked to UP hazing – NBI They should have charged him aeons ago. Who knows, the doctor might have fled the country already.

9/25/2007 News Update
Cris Mendez’s ma gets offer to settle case Whether the stranger who made the offer is connected with Sigma Rho or not, I just shake my head in disgust. As if money can buy you a life. Don’t these people get it? They murdered someone, and they should face the law.

9/24/2007 In a letter to Newsbreak, Fulgencio Factoran Jr. explains why he does not intend to resign from Sigma Rho. He went on great lengths to explain his decision. And yes, like Villafuerte, he does not condemn his own fraternity for killing Cris Mendez. Boo.

“By far, the biggest lesson I have learned from the Sigma Rho fraternity is the value of friendship. A sub lesson is that I should not desert a friend when he is in crisis, no matter how badly he has behaved.” At least for us, we support our friends BUT WE DO NOT CONDONE THEIR WRONG ACTIONS. That’s our difference, Mr. Factoran. Also: now that Mendez is dead, where are your brods? Sigma Rho might have been good to you, but from the rate things are going, the current members and alumni of your fraternity has not been good on Mendez – that includes you, Mr. Factoran. How do you reconcile that, Mr. Factoran?

9/21/2007 News Update
UP president orders fraternities: Justify your existence I hope this is not just tough talk.

9/20/2007 News Updates
‘Violent frats accept only neophytes who submit to hazing’ “He told the Inquirer that based on a 1996 study conducted by Sociology professor Ricardo Zarco, the Sigma Rho fraternity had the most number of involvement in violent incidents in the university.” Heh. How I wished numbers were quoted.
NBI to quiz funeral parlor exec It seems that the funeral parlor has a lot of questions to answer. Is there a Sigma Rhoan in that business?
A code of secrecy and silence Someone wrote a letter to the editor, wondering about Sigma Rho’s silence. Why even ask?

9/19/2007 News Updates
UP frat violence forum seeks justice for Mendez That’s the ticket. Bring it on, indeed.
UP to Sigma Rho: Go ahead, sue us Kapal talaga ng mukha. Magpakita muna kayo bago kayo manakot, mga duwag.

9/19/2007 Blog Posts
Mafia Culture “I weep for the wasted life of Cris, so young and with a bright future. Now he is but another statistic in this barbaric crime whose perpetrators are being cuddled by their influential criminal brothers. To these criminals, justice may not be served in this life but who knows in the next? Pray too that your sons will not face animals like you when their turn comes. Justice can come from the most unlikely places and a crime cannot be hidden for eternity.

So no matter how Sigma Rho tries to justify/glorify its organization, its nothing but a gang that revolves around the culture of the Mafia.”

One of Their Own “At dinner a few nights ago, some brods and I talked about possible ways of helping to ensure that something like the Mendez case should never happen to our residents, and of more sharply focusing the fraternity’s energies on academics and public service. I know that to many, that’ll be like teaching a dinosaur to dance, but I’d like to be more hopeful—while bearing in mind that the bottomline for fraternities is, if they can’t guarantee the safety and well-being of their members and recruits, then they’re better off dissolved. Worse than becoming irrelevant, they can be dangerous. If the alumni brods want whatever glorious traditions they may have begun to carry on to this new century, then they should take the lead in reshaping the mindsets of the young, and not condone any act of violence—even and especially if it’s perpetrated by one of their own.”

9/18/2007 News Updates
Witness confirms Mendez joined frat initiation rites Finally, someone connects CA’s murder with Sigma Rho.
UP Diliman campus blooms with ‘justice’ posters Well, I hope this is not just a prank. And oh, former Senator Jovito Salonga resigns from Sigma Rho. Hurrah!
Sigma Rho alumni chief wants Salonga apology I think Filipino words can best sum this news up: ANG KAPAL NG MUKHA. What gall. I can only shake my head in disgust.

9/18/2007 Blog Posts
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness. . .” (Matthew 3:3) “The newspapers today speak of a real man standing for his principles and standing by his word, even when it is unpopular, even when it goes against the grain, even when it is not expedient, for so long as it is the right thing to do.”

Of Justice and Teardrops (in memory of Cris Anthony Mendez, 1987-2007) “See, I may not have actively intended to take a life. That said, the moment that I lacked the foresight to see the consequences of my actions, then I have lost all exoneration from blame. I have to suffer the consequences of my actions, because I am a man who was taught by both of my parents that you have to live this life with as clean a conscience as you can possibly get. If I go to jail, fine. At least I can do my time and get the chance to mend my ways. The person whose death I caused accidentally? He’s not going anywhere. And he never will. I would rather have a clean conscience behind bars than to live my life as a “free” man outside jail, always longing for the voices in my head to keep quiet. Sooner or later, the voices will take over.”

19
Sep

AMA v. La Salle

Posted by | Categories Journal

Whoever did this, he/she was one naughty boy/girl: (click on the image to view full size)

19
Sep

Goodbye, Asus eee PC?

Posted by | Categories Byte

Well, AllAsus.com now has a definitive price for Asus eee PC 700. Look at this search query to view their catalog entries for the eee PC 700.

AllAsus’s description:

* Units should start shipping in early October ’07.
* $150 non-refundable deposit required.
The Eee PC 700 $259.99 (2Gb) version is black only. The Eee PC 700 $299.99 (2Gb) version is in black or white and adds a webcam and carry bag. The Eee PC 701 $399.99 version is black or white with 4Gb storage, webcam and carry bag.

Remember when Asus announced that the eee pc would only cost US$200 (the lowest model, at least)? I was even hopeful back then, only to get disappointed by price changes and delays. And now, the promise is all but a lie, taken over by economic realities. So this means goodbye, Asus eee PC. Maybe when you get more decent specs at a more decent price, I’d reconsider.

18
Sep

Microsoft sneaks in updates while no one’s looking

Posted by | Categories Byte

Before, I called Microsoft’s Windows Genuine Advantage Tool as spyware. Now, another suspicious activity regarding Windows XP and Vista has been reported.

InformationWeek reports on Microsoft secretly updating Windows Update, the tool used by Windows for checking and installing patches to the operating system, even if the Windows Update is turned off by the user. In short, the operating system is being updated without the user’s permission.

Microsoft’s stance was understandable but quite risky. As Bruce Schneier opines:

Note that Microsoft can do this; that’s just stupid company stuff. But what’s to stop anyone else from using Microsoft’s stealth remote install capability to put anything onto anyone’s computer? How long before some smart hacker exploits this, and then writes a program that will allow all the dumb hackers to do it?

When you build a capability like this into your system, you decrease your overall security.

For Windows users: have you turned off Automatic Updates? Why?

18
Sep

Death and Tuesday

Posted by | Categories Journal

Tuesday has never been my favorite day. When bad things happen in my life, they usually happen on a Tuesday. I’d rather not recount all of them.

In my experience, there are more people out on the streets on a Tuesday, much more than Monday.

There’s that scene of death early today. Have you stared death in its face?

The last time I encountered death in a personal level, it was when my paternal grandmother died in 2003. It was after the New Year festivities. As we were about to get some sleep, a cousin sent a text message, informing us about her death. To be honest, I felt nothing. I was ashamed of it, but on hindsight, I understand the feeling of nothingness.

My grandmother was in the hospital for four months till she passed away. Death stared me in the face in those months. It had prepared me to accept the inevitable – I knew she would die, the question was when. Everyday, you would ask the question, was today the day? Sadness enveloped the heart, yet she was still alive, leaving the heart calloused, till the fated day arrived. The heart was already numb by that time to even react.

The heart then went on a healing phase, regaining the feelings it had lost when sadness reigned supreme. It took me two years to realize the impact of her death. It was several days before All Saints Day of 2005. We were painting her tomb, when things came to a stand still. There I was, standing, looking at the grave. I was teary-eyed all of a sudden.

There are times when death’s impact is so sudden and jarring. The suddenness shocks the heart, triggering a wave of emotions, from denial, to anger, to despair, to depression. This is the kind of death that brings raw emotions, like how a tidal wave crashes to the shore.

I saw someone die. I can’t remember when it was exactly; I think I was in university at that time, so that would be around 1994-1997. We were living along Rizal Avenue Extension, on the southbound side, which is west. On the other side is the main gate of the Chinese Cemetery. Directly infront was an estero. An old man (around 50s) was sitting at a wide ledge before the estero, looking very sick. Suddenly, he vomited blood, lots of it. Then he collapsed. He was dead.

Then early today. I did not see the child die. I only saw signs of his death – the tattered clothes, blood marks in the pedestrian lane, the pool of crimson under the trailer. When that old man passed away, I felt nothing. People in the neighboorhood were even joking that we were lucky dinuguan (blood stew) was not the meal of the day. But today, upon seeing those tattered clothes, I felt my blood run cold. I almost had nausea. I felt despair.

Just how bad Tuesdays are? Right now, I am not feeling well. There was this sudden negative emotional outburst that was luckily contained within. I cannot explain at this moment why it happened. Maybe because it was Tuesday. Not my day, no sir.

18
Sep

Sign of death

Posted by | Categories Ink

WARNING!

Graphic images of human blood in this post. Not for the faint-hearted and/or of weak stomach.

—

Early this morning, this scene greeted me as I got to the corner of 10th Avenue and B. Serrano St. in Caloocan. Here is where I take the bus or AUV on the way to North Ave. MRT station.

(Photos taken using Sony Ericsson P1i. Photobucket reduced the size to 1024×768. Click on the thumbnail to view large image.)

Must be an engine trouble causing the truck to stop, I thought.

Then I saw this on the sidewalk:

My blood run cold. I had not bothered asking what had happened, so I made several deductions. A male child, probably between grade 3 and 1st year high school, met his death in this place. A block away is a small college with an elementary and secondary school. The pants for male students in that school is blue.

So I looked around and took some shots, to support my deductions. Some of the photos are not for the weak of heart (and/or stomach).


The back of the truck. Notice the green cloth, a part of which is also in the picture of the tattered pants and shoes.


Scratch marks on the road. Maybe at this point the truck driver realized he was going to hit the child, and stepped on the breaks.


Some blood marks on the pedestrian lane, which was at the back of the truck after the accident.


The sign of death. (I had deliberately inverted the image to negative. Click on the image to view the positive. WARNING: Blood.)


The truck’s plate number: PUU 396.

I am assuming the child, a male, is dead. For those who believe in God, please pray that he is alive; otherwise, please pray for the eternal repose of his soul, and that he may get justice. For those who do not, hope that he will get the justice that he deserves.

17
Sep

Annoyance of the Week (UPDATED)

Posted by | Categories Journal

This is not only annoying, it is also slightly troubling.

I rarely get to watch TV, and when I do, I usually catch the early morning shows for news (and if I am lucky, I get to see Music Station on my free time). Even the local news shows are troublesome, to say it nicely.

So early today, I was waiting for the news at GMA’s morning show. The first news portion was usually preceded by that mobile stage and poor production called Mobile Tambayan. Anyway, today the mobile stage was at a certain school, and featured students playing “Joy to the world” using bamboo flutes.

The next was shocking. And jarring. And ultimately, annoying.

GMA7 played “My Boy Lollipop.”

PS: I am also annoyed by one of GMA’s reporters when this reporter goes to deliver live report. Can’t that reporter just record the report to minimize errors and extraneous words?

UPDATE:

Here is the song “My Boy Lollipop”, for those who are unfamiliar with the song.

17
Sep

Questions that need answers

Posted by | Categories Ink

As an ordinary citizen, I am befuddled and confused and angered by the way the Arroyo administration works. You know, I am sick and tired and annoyed by the “focus on economy” sh*t, as if that’s the only goal in the world. The hell with accountability. The hell with transparency. The hell with the truth.

Anyway, everyone but my hamsters hark and hail the Sandiganbayan’s decision to convict Joseph Estrada of two counts of plunder. He was indicted for four counts, but only found guilty in two. One of them was about jueteng.

The decision, 200-pages of fallen trees, is replete with details, like how Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson threw money as if he was a professional juggler, from one jueteng lord to a certain bank account. The prosecution alleged via Singson that Estrada pocketed millions via jueteng payoffs, of which the three justices of the Special Division found Estrada to be guilty of.

May I ask the prosecution team, led by Dennis Villa-Ignacio, and Singson, the following questions?

1. Who are these gambling lords?
2. Are they being investigated?
3. The information alleged by Singson as old as the case itself. How come no jueteng lord has been charged?
4. Is Singson willing to name all the jueteng lords that he knew? Is he willing to testify against them when the time comes?

***

Last April, Gloria Arroyo went to China to attend an economic summit. She also saw several agreements signed between the Philippine government and several Chinese companies. One of the agreements signed is the National Broadband Network project to be built by ZTE Corp. and funded by China via a loan.

Seems to be a straightforward business. Yet, several months later, it remains so controversial that the Arroyo administration has to resort to its tried and tested tactic – that is, to ignore all protests and full speed ahead.

Why should this be so controversial?

1. The contract was signed during the election period. The Omnibus Election Code bans such transactions unless otherwise authorized by the Comelec. There is no such clearance from Comelec. How come this administration signed such a contract, when it is expressly forbidden by the law?
2. The current administration has failed/refused to open the contract to public scrutiny. Heck, it even concocted such a stupid story – that the documents were stolen. If the contract is above-board, as this administration is wont of saying, why can’t they let the people see the contract?
3. Is the contract beneficial at all? Several companies allege that their offers are better and on a build-operate-own scheme, with the government only paying for the use of the network. The ZTE deal is hinged on a loan by China; that means we have to pay it.
4. There was no public bidding for the project. Why?
5. Several officials of the administration said things that contradict each other. Heck, some of them said damnable things about the ZTE deal. One official was transferred because he said something that smells fish; some speculated he was transferred so that he won’t be an impediment. Who amongst these officials say the truth? Or are they engaging us in misinformation campaign?

***

Leah Navarro said in an early morning show that justice is not blind in this country. Unless this administration proves otherwise, I am inclined to believe Ms. Navarro.

14
Sep

Translate!

Posted by | Categories Journal

Challenge: Translate to understandable English, and then name the author. Winner gets the UberRetardedGeek Award of 2007.

No cheating. Cheaters go to hell.

—

CAT!111!! OMG WHO HAST PASD THY GRAND CLIACT3RIC
HOW MANY MIEC AND RATS HAST IN THY DAYS
DESTROYD????! WTF – HOW MANY TIT BITS S2L3N??!?? LOL GAEZ
WITH THOSA BRIGHT LANGUID SEGMENTS GREN AND PRIK
THOSE VELVAT EARS – BUT PRYTHE DO NOT STIK
THY LAETNT TALONS IN M3 – AND UPRASEE
THY GENTL3 MAW – AND TEL MA AL THY FRAYS
OF FISH AND MIEC AND RATS AND T3NDER CHIK
NAY!!!!!! OMG WTF LOK NOT DOWN NOR LIK THY DANETY WRISTS –
FOR AL TEH WHEZY ASTHMA – AND FOR AL
THY TALES TIP SI NIKD OF – AND THOUGH TEH FISTS
OF MANY A MADE HAEV GIEVN THE MANY A MALE
STIL SI TAHT FUR AS SOFT AS WHEN DA LISTS
IN U THOU ENTERDST ON GLAS BOTLED WAL!!!111 WTF

—

Or another version, if you want:

KAT! HOO HAST PASD THY GRAND CLIACTERIC,
HOW LOTZ DA MICE AN RATS HAST IN THY DAIS
DESTROYD? – HOW LOTZ DA TIT BITS STOLEN? GAZE
WIF DOSE BRIGHT LANGUID SEGMENTS GREEN, AN PRICK
DOSE VELVET EARS – BUT PRYTHEE DO NOT STICK
THY LATENT TALONS IN ME – AN UPRAIZE
THY GENTLE MEW – AN TELL ME ALL THY FRAYS
OV FISH AN MICE, AN RATS AN TENDR CHICK.
NAY, LOOK NOT DOWN, NOR LICK THY DAINTY WRISTS –
4 ALL TEH WHEEZY ASTHMA, – AN 4 ALL
THY TAILS TIP IZ NICKD OFF – AN THOUGH TEH FISTS
OV LOTZ DA MAID HAS GIVEN THEE LOTZ DA MAIL,
STILL IZ DAT FUR AS SOFT AS WHEN TEH LISTS
IN YOUTH THOU ENTERDST ON GLAS BOTTLD WALL.