Congratulations for the success of the first davao bloggers party!
A bloggers’ party held here last week turned into a coming-out party of sorts for the 52 bloggers who showed up at the newly opened NetFront coffeeshop and Internet café. Organizers claimed it was the first blog party outside of Metro Manila.
This was the news on TV that greeted me in the early morning.
A minute later, I was feeling rage in my blood. How could this government become so bare-faced in its tyranny?
We are going back to martial law. And ironic is, here is the man Satur Ocampo, a political prisoner during those times, now facing the same fate he had three decades ago of being jailed for his convictions.
This incident has stirred outrage. Bayan Muna seems to be thankful that this projection seems to serve their campaign as their rankings in the survey rose. Also, Ka Satur has gathered support from the opposition, academe, church and the middle forces.
The AFP is putting a peacemaker to head its division in the volatile Maguindanao area.
The man is Maj. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, former chief of the 1st Infantry Division or Tabak Division in Western Mindanao, who will now trade places with Maj. Gen. Nehemias Parajito on the helm of the 6th Infantry Division.
Reports of his conflict management skills will be put to the test, as he arrives at a time where clashes between the armed forces and the MILF in Midsayap, North Cotabato have led to the evacuation of 4,000 families. The situation has been much tense and harrowing for the Moro people there as noted by this report.
The hard times, plus being election year, may have somewhat dampen the spirit in this year’s celebration.
But still, I and Che was able to see the parade during the Araw ng Davao. The weather was fair so we are spared from the hot sun.
We got to see the floats that presented the history of Davao. Also eye-catching were the parade of arms and tanks of the military.
It was also fun to see celebrities like the Sex Bomb Girls. And being election year, candidates were seen on stage with Mayor Rody Duterte.
It was still an enjoyable day for Davaoeños. Basta dinhi sa Davao, lingaw.
Here are pictures taken from the parade by davaotoday.
Cris Diaz of Sunstar Cagayan de Oro writes an incisive opinion on the failure of Mindanao politicians to fare well in national elections.
It is a tragedy that these Mindanao politicians, then and now, have not made a dent to carry Mindanao issues in their platforms. If they do, it is all talk, no action.
And if these present crop of five Mindanao candidates vying for the Senate are counting on the Mindanao vote, they have to wake up from this myth.
Recent surveys show that not one of them are closing in on the winning circle of 12. Proof that the voting public is now keen on choosing candidates based on issues and principles, and not on geography. Also, the present elections is shaping up to be a protest vote against the Arroyo administration.
… in election spending that is.
The man is Prospero Pichay, erstwhile Congressman from Surigao del Sur, who by now is invading our TV sets with his Pro-Pinoy ads. read article
However, his huge spending has not translated into votes. Pichay is lagging behind the surveys, as well as most of his partymates from the administration’s Team Unity. read article
What a waste of money. So far all his ads have done is to create jokes such as this: “Mabuti pang itanim ang Pechay sa sinabaw.”
By coincidence or by purpose, two Davao dailies last Saturday ran feature articles on the two military generals based in Southern Mindanao.
Sunstar featured Lt. General Rodolfo Obaniana of the newly created Eastern Command in Mindanao. Mindanao Times ran a cover story on Gen. Ernesto Boac of the newly created 10th Infantry Division, which operates in Southern Mindanao and Socsksargen. (I’m afraid there is no link for the Mindanao Times article. Try to grab their March 10 issue)
If you get to read those articles, better note that both are written in the same manner, detailing their histories and military records. And finally ending with the commanders speaking that their hearts long for peace in Mindanao.
Whatever these articles are spinning about hearts for peace, bombs and bullets are still flying all over Mindanao. It takes more than these articles to bring the message into action. read article
