tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91884322011-12-15T10:40:44.901+08:00A veritable fanatic of the Internet. His avocation is teaching while his main vocation is practicing the much maligned law profession. Currently teaching Constitutional Law at the FEU Institute of Law and a guest lecturer at the De La Salle University teaching "Freedom and Regulation in Cyberspace" in the Graduate Program of the Department of Communication. He is married to his beautiful Ateneo law school classmate and is blessed with a daughter and a son.Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.comBlogger1921100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-39839339519568080232008-12-16T00:37:00.005+08:002008-12-16T09:00:10.337+08:00

So much has been commented on Mar Roxas' swearing during the Anti Charter Change Rally. The papers found his cussing a novel experience that they had to mention that it was a departure from Mar's usual decorum. Big Deal! [Incidentally, can someone enlighten me why is it when we cuss in Filipino, we damn the mother ("Putang Ina") while the Spanish damn the son ("Hijo de puta")] For one thing,

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-46665916996625060942008-11-12T15:33:00.003+08:002008-11-12T16:22:01.281+08:00

Today, the bloggers made political history.  Led by Manolo Quezon, the bloggers, among others, filed a Motion for Intervention before the Secretary General of the House of Representatives, asking that we be allowed to intervene and include the Memorandum of Agreement on the Ancestral Domain which the Supreme Court found unconstitutional.If you watched the ANC interview of Manolo, it would seem

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-68327727535344177302007-11-13T03:22:00.000+08:002007-11-13T04:03:59.064+08:00

I know that Adel Tamano will not take kindly to the title in this post but there just seems to be no appropriate word for the proceeding that occurred yesterday in the House Justice Committee when it dismissed the Tamano complaint. In deference to Adel who is a Muslim, I could have called it a farce or a staged show but none comes close to aptly describe the stench that filled the proceedings in

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1319256595847121502007-08-26T22:29:00.000+08:002007-08-26T22:38:12.179+08:00

This is a reposting of the issue on the admissibility of the Garci tapes which I posted on 18 July 2005. From the moment the Garci tapes were revealed by Messrs. Paguia and Bunye, everybody concluded those tapes which were surreptitious recordings of cellular phone conversations of Commissioner Garcillano ("Garci") with other people violated R. A. No. 4200 or the Anti-Wiretapping Act.What are the

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-38776271444051492552007-07-23T23:23:00.000+08:002007-07-24T11:20:21.195+08:00

As a guest commentator for ANC yesterday, I was requested to watch the President's third to the last SONA address. Much will be said about the substance of the SONA or the lack of it. I, however, will not touch on those but would point out the protocol or the absence of it during SONA.In terms of protocol, the whole ceremony and the pre-SONA address went without a noticeable hitch. Two years ago

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-63812379696776428812007-06-18T23:59:00.000+08:002007-06-19T01:03:53.652+08:00

Now that the midterm elections are over, focus will shift back to the Puno Supreme Court. Whether or not political debts will have to be paid, the Puno Supreme Court will be comprised of an overwhelming Arroyo appointees and predictably, the president will exact her pound of flesh. To date, there are only 14 sitting justices - Justice Gregory Ong's appointment is in question before the Supreme

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-29560319454152353112007-05-27T02:17:00.000+08:002007-05-27T03:55:40.148+08:00

While in the thick of the special elections, I have compiled some euphemisms and new terms I discovered and learned during the 2007 elections:1. Clerical error - Getting caught cheating & explaining it away;2. Command votes - Fabricated 12-0 TU sweep in Maguindanao and Bohol;3. Political machinery - The pro-administration's stalled cheating operations;4. Palace reward - fake P500 and P1,000 bills

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-210597927155501232007-05-08T00:46:00.000+08:002007-05-08T02:07:29.895+08:00

I had the opportunity to read the Brawner decision on the case of Jesse Robredo, courtesy of John Nery. Without going too legalese, let me raise my objections to Commissioner Brawner's decision which are replete with errors and ignoring existing jurisprudence on the matter.In order to disqualify the citizenship of Jesse Robredo, Jojo Villafuerte, the petitioner, attacked the citizenship of the

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-5784964848045406722007-02-28T23:52:00.000+08:002007-03-01T00:07:35.239+08:00

Dear Harvey,I read with interest your letter of despair which has spread throughout Philippine cyberspace. I am sure many of us sympathize with your frustration. Certainly, the 7 events you mentioned may give rise to you emigrating from the Philippines. Those events should certainly give pause to all of us who bleed for our motherland.But I must disagree with you on your decision to leave.

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1165515741916330512006-12-08T02:20:00.000+08:002006-12-08T02:22:21.946+08:00

Finally, the bishops have spoken!For the longest time, the bishops have remained tentative owing to the fact that the dislike for GMA was not necessarily a question of good and evil. What they got enmeshed in were technicalities of the Garci tapes that they forgot that cheating, lying and stealing in the presidential elections was a moral transgression.But this time, nobody can doubt the

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1159900051454336302006-10-04T02:27:00.000+08:002006-10-04T02:27:31.716+08:00

Congressman Prospero Nograles is a fool and he would like us to believe that the Comelec officials can do no wrong. Nograles posited the belief that the Ombudsman cleared the COMELEC officials because there was no proof beyond reasonable doubt! But that is not the role of the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman is nothing more than a glorified fiscal whose province is to investigate anomalies of public

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1159377851248982892006-09-28T01:24:00.000+08:002006-09-28T01:38:51.513+08:00

Last Tuesday, at around 7 p.m., through the prodding of Helga, I decided to drop by and observe the Supreme Court oral arguments. While I may not have been there early, the repeated updates by the DZBB reporters made up for the lack of video coverage.At around 7 in the evening, the Supreme Court was like any government edifice after office hours except for the presence of the two media giants in

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1156784649448145122006-08-29T01:04:00.000+08:002006-08-29T01:31:14.390+08:00

I am an unregistered, unknown admirer of of Legion. No, not the Legion of Mary but the Legion (as coined by MLQ3) of Bengzon, Orosa and LAmbino et al., otherwise known as Legion ng BOLA et al.Far too long, I have suffered in silence against the attacks on the virtue of the people’s initiative, an enlightened provision in the 1987 Constitution. Far too long, my ears grate whenever I hear the case

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1155830791188668462006-08-18T00:06:00.000+08:002006-08-18T00:06:31.230+08:00

1983 was my senior year in De La Salle University.  That year, I defended my Communication Arts thesis, a film project entitled “Kahapon Hanggang Bukas” where my film collaborator was Emmanuel “Nuel” Naval. Unlike me where I proceeded to study law, Nuel pursued his film craft and eventually became an Urian Awardee.  To the best of my knowledge, he is currently connected with Star Cinema and

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1152720517434052122006-07-13T00:08:00.000+08:002006-07-13T00:08:37.463+08:00

One of the standard features of a high school examination is the Compare and Contrast test.  Let us then compare and contrast the Garci tapes and the Danny Lim video.First, the Garci tapes indubitably reveals the female voice in the tapes as that of the president.  The Lim video clearly shows Brig. Gen. Danny Lim voicing his withdrawal of support from the Arroyo government.Second, GMA has hid

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1152642760520211912006-07-12T02:32:00.000+08:002006-07-12T02:32:40.740+08:00

I watched the pilot episode of Manolo Quezon’s The Explainer.   Being the first episode, I was happy with the outcome.The first topic Manolo discussed was the issue of Church and State.  Very timely considering the bishops just issued their pastoral statement.For the first thirty minutes, Manolo explained the history and evolution of the Church’s position on secular dominion and political affairs

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1152549554593348372006-07-11T00:39:00.000+08:002006-07-11T02:56:27.980+08:00

This part of the Bishops’ pastoral letter regarding impeachment bothers me:“For unless the process and its rules as well as the mindset of all participating parties, pro and con, are guided by no other motive than genuine concern for the common good, impeachment will once again serve as an unproductive political exercise dismaying every citizen and deepening the citizens’ negative perception of

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1151423926382145962006-06-27T23:58:00.000+08:002006-06-27T23:58:46.416+08:00

If the impeachment legal team has been concerned with technicalities of late, manifested by the daily filing of the same impeachment complaint, there is reason for that madness.  And that madness stems from the fact that the House of Representatives is assuredly going to employ the same dilatory technicalities that they successfully employed in the impeachment last year.What technicalities are we

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1150902087037672172006-06-21T23:01:00.000+08:002006-06-21T23:01:27.053+08:00

Atty. Romulo Macalintal is making a mountain out of a molehill.  In an Inquirer news report, he claims the opposition cannot yet file an impeachment complaint because the previous one is still pending before the Supreme Court.  Let us break the sum into its parts.It is true that an impeachment complaint can only be filed once every anniversary year.It is also true that there is a pending petition

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1150300695536501672006-06-14T23:58:00.000+08:002006-06-14T23:58:15.563+08:00

It is the first day of my Constitutional Law Class at the Far Eastern University Institute of Law.  Unlike most law professors which apply escuela brevi for the first day, I take this opportunity to get to know my 38 or so students intimately, and also the chance to orient them as to what constitutional law is all about.It is interesting for law students to be taking up Constitutional Law just

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1150125975171877732006-06-12T23:26:00.000+08:002006-06-12T23:29:38.426+08:00

For the longest time, I have been a fan of the West Wing. Since Channel 23 showed it, I have religiously followed the series with extreme fanaticism. I even bought 2 complete seasons of the series in VCD format at the Powerbooks where to my dismay, the editing by the legitimate distributors was so lousy it would have been preferable to buy from the Pirates of Metrowalk. But I digress.Being a

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1149607981043507832006-06-06T23:33:00.000+08:002006-06-06T23:33:01.056+08:00

Since everybody is into celebrating the first year anniversary of the Garci tapes, I would like to chime in too but will ask myself: What were my beliefs this time last year?This time last year, I believe that Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was the duly elected president of the Republic of the Philippines;This time last year, I heard the Garci tapes and I could distinctly hear that the female voice on

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1149433928095983612006-06-04T23:12:00.000+08:002006-06-05T11:03:28.350+08:00

I have often heard in many TV interviews that people cannot comment on a case because it is “sub judice” or literally, under judgment. They refrain from doing so under the theory that to speak about the case will affect the administration of justice or the objectivity of the judges.I think the Philippine judicial system should scrap sub-judice from our system since it is one useless vestige of a

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1147277686716153262006-05-11T00:14:00.000+08:002006-05-11T00:14:46.736+08:00

Now that the Supreme Court has ruled adversely against the Palace in three cases, we do not hear much from the Palace mandarins, Charter Change advocates like Sigaw ng Bayan lead convenor, Raul Lambino, and COMELEC Chairman Abalos challenging all anti Charter Change opponents to bring a case before the Supreme Court!Cat got their tongues? Did the 3 decisions put the fear of God in their hearts?

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1146834843287580972006-05-05T21:14:00.000+08:002006-05-06T01:06:52.180+08:00

Just today, our favorite Cabinet official, Secretary of Justice Raul Gonzalez, went to town threatening over the airwaves to file administrative charges against Judge Pozon handling the Subic rape case and Judge Delorinio handling the Batasan 5 case. In addition, he intends, through his subalterns, to ask for the inhibition on the two judges.For the umpteenth time, I think the Secretary is

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1146400128777928802006-04-30T20:28:00.000+08:002006-05-01T00:09:13.460+08:00

Rule of Law is so passéFor the last so many months, the administration has harped on the necessity for the rule of law. They have exhorted the opposition, the military, and the citizenry to observe the legal processes and obey the laws. But do they observe their own call? In a word – hardly!First, to prevent the Executive branch from being investigated by the Legislative department, the Palace

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1146076215707840562006-04-27T02:30:00.000+08:002006-04-27T02:30:15.726+08:00

All too often, the 3rd branch of government, the Judiciary, has always preferred to be shrouded in mystery, the idea behind the mystery is to instill the sense of the sacred, that the justices, like cardinals, are successors to an august and exclusive clique of individuals tasked with the administration of justice.These days, the shroud of mystery is being uncloaked by the somewhat reckless

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1145954410076631272006-04-25T16:40:00.000+08:002006-04-25T23:44:15.916+08:00

Today, the Supreme Court handed down a decision, BAYAN et. al., versus EDUARDO ERMITA et al., declaring two things: (a) declaring B. P. Blg. 880 otherwise known as the Public Assembly Act constitutional; and (b) declaring the policy of Calibrated Preemptive Response unconstitutional. In the words of Helga, YEBAH!Two things noticeable that were unanswered: (1) if CPR is unconstitutional, does it

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1145587876428316762006-04-21T10:51:00.000+08:002006-04-21T10:55:15.666+08:00

Now that E. O. 464 has been rendered inutile, at least the parts crucial to the Arroyo government, Senator Biazon can call all the witnesses to the Senate that Admiral Mayuga claimed to have but never interviewed and to re-start the investigation on the role of the generals in the last election.Since there is a possibility that Admiral Mayuga and the Palace will invoke Executive Privilege as

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1144699511902097962006-04-11T04:05:00.000+08:002006-04-11T22:08:48.493+08:00

This being the Holy Week, let us focus on how Jesus would have fared in these times of 880, 464 and 1017. Warning: This is an irreverent take. Not your usual Holy Week reflection. So, please don't crucify me. I take my Sacred Triduum seriously too.On Palm Sunday, before entering the boundary of Metro Manila, Gen. Vidal Querol would have received very raw and very incompetent intelligence

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1143917067357982282006-04-02T02:42:00.000+08:002006-06-28T00:06:20.316+08:00

My bosom friend is leaving the country for good.My friend is not a lawyer. A management engineering graduate who has the singular privilege to practice what was learned from Melchor Hall of the University of the Philippines, my friend views things and situations differently - more objective, less passionate, more grounded, less pedantic.My friend solves problems based on the time-tested

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1143836393374881262006-04-01T04:03:00.000+08:002006-04-01T04:32:08.553+08:00

John's blog yesterday was about Solita Monsod's outrage over the Cha Cha train. He posits that where Winnie is, there the center will be.I think not. In fact, I wrote so in his comment why I think where she stands is not necessarily where the center is. I reproduced the comment but with added thoughts here:"I am not sure I agree with you that the center is where Solita is. She is incensed only

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1143739420441996382006-03-31T01:23:00.000+08:002006-04-01T04:02:34.520+08:00

Charter change proponents and anti-charter change advocates have been invoking the case of Santiago v. Comelec. Essentially, what is this case all about?Santiago V. Comelec was the test case that defeated the first attempt to amend the 1987 Constitution by way of people’s initiative which was codified into law and knows as Republic Act No. 6735. Sometime in 1996, a petition was filed to amend the

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1143574022278347712006-03-29T03:27:00.000+08:002006-03-29T09:15:26.403+08:00

Ever since June of last year when I decided to blog on a regular basis, I never realized that it would become some sort of a reunion where bloggers meet first through their writing and then proceed to meet each other in the flesh, some of them - chance encounters while others, a conscious choice.In the course of less than a year, I had the privilege of meeting new people in the Philippine

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1142880299403027172006-03-21T02:44:00.000+08:002006-03-21T14:11:31.983+08:00

Q: Was the PNP right in arresting Dinky Soliman and Enteng Romano for crossing Roxas Boulevard on the ground of violation of B. P. Blg. 880 solely because they were wearing black and white t-shirts calling for the blanket removal of GMA and other government officials?A: No.Q: Does the absence of a mayor’s permit automatically prevent people from freely exercising their right to peaceably assembly

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1142713907405495082006-03-19T04:31:00.000+08:002006-03-19T06:10:34.543+08:00

From WPD, Marvic, Marlon, Manolo, Leah and I rode in one car and proceeded to the Manila City Hall. During the day, the Manila City Hall is a typical government edifice swarming with people, fixers and cops as though it was a den of thieves. By night however, it is a splendid sight to behold. The powerful lamps light up the City Hall reminding us of its Commonwealth roots, were it not for the

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1142707839436360102006-03-19T02:50:00.000+08:002006-03-19T15:48:11.320+08:00

I thought that the Black Friday Protest would always be peaceful and non-confrontational, i.e., something the police would not even bother dispersing. A description of the previous protests would show its creativity but in terms of attracting police attention, the protests were not in the league of those water-cannoned so many moons ago.I will beg the indulgence of Helga. Our narration might

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1142528724291706902006-03-17T01:05:00.000+08:002006-03-17T01:05:24.310+08:00

Now that photos of election tampering by Atty. Roque Bello have come out into the open courtesy of Malaya’s Ms. Ellen Tordesillas’ blog here, here and here, one should now ask the role Senator Kiko Pangilinan played in the whole Noted affair.While he has called for the resignation of GMA during the 7 July incident, we have not yet heard him speak of his role in the canvassing of the election

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1142439810006526702006-03-16T00:23:00.000+08:002006-03-16T09:45:53.073+08:00

Just in case any in media are going to be prosecuted for inciting to sedition, here is a consoling thought – you won’t go to jail subject to certain qualifications. If you are charged with inciting to sedition, the penalty for that particular crime is prision correccional in its maximum period or a fine not exceeding 2,000 pesos. That means you suffer imprisonment of 4years, 2 months and 1 day to

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1142262901091477812006-03-13T23:15:00.000+08:002006-03-13T23:15:01.106+08:00

While having dinner tonight after an arduous lecture on Criminal Procedure, I saw Gen. Querol in Tina Monzon Palma’s Talkback lecturing and gobbledygooking Atty. Neri Colmenares and Joshua Mata.  Was he not supposed to be in the Senate this afternoon to justify the PNP’s actions during the “emergency”?That led me thinking. Why can government factotums appear in government-monitored ANC but

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1141927220310062782006-03-10T02:00:00.000+08:002006-03-10T02:00:20.403+08:00

If there is one questionable presumption that has emboldened the government to strike with impunity, it is the disputable presumption of the regularity of the acts of government. That is found in Rule 131, Section 3(m) which states that:“Sec. 3.     Disputable presumptions. — The following presumptions are satisfactory if uncontradicted, but may be contradicted and overcome by other evidence:

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1141831339098707622006-03-08T23:22:00.000+08:002006-03-09T01:25:19.006+08:00

Saw over the newspaper GMA’s latest vain use of God’s name, to wit:"But I have great faith in God's will. I believe that I am here now because that is the plan of God for me.”As soon as I read it, the séance I was in conjured the literati and they reminded me not to use God’s name in vain. Specifically, some of them even reminded me of their own quotes on God. By no means exhaustive, the literary

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1141786132155571172006-03-08T10:17:00.000+08:002006-03-08T10:57:49.240+08:00

Like what Manolo said, it has become a battle of the Epistles. Helga is doing her share of stoking the flames against apathy. Most about anybody straddling the political spectrum either have been enboldened by the barbarism with a pretty face put up by GMA and her sychophants or gotten more fed up by the political howl of the anti-GMA groups. The battle is everywhere even in my alumni yahoogroup.

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1141366985642823822006-03-03T14:20:00.000+08:002006-03-03T14:23:05.666+08:00

Today is a Black Friday protest for press freedom and freedom of expression. Here's the deal:Plan of action:1) Wear black2) You and your friends proceed to any Starbucks Cafe near you anytime between 6 to 7 pm3) Buy a drink. Each person should queue up at the counter, instead of just one ordering for the group.4) After getting your drink, take a seat or just stand up outside the cafe and hang out

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1141320485410257892006-03-03T01:28:00.000+08:002006-03-03T02:55:08.586+08:00

Here we are again, our fearless forecast on how Supreme Court will rule on Proclamation 1017.I will based my less-than-zero prediction on the conduct of each of the Supreme Court justices based on a recent case of Sanlakas v. Reyes where the Supremes ruled on the constitutionality of the GMA’s declaration of a State of Rebellion.Before I give my prediction, let me guide you to how I think each

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1140894537805788752006-02-26T03:08:00.000+08:002006-02-26T15:56:29.360+08:00

For lack of a better term, Proclamation No. 1017 is a cut and paste power.This is not the first time that GMA has issued a state of “something”.In 1 May 2001 following the tumultuous assault of Erap forces on the Palace, GMA issued Presidential Proclamation No. 38 which proclaimed a State of Rebellion in the National Capital Region. Then, sometime in July 2003 following the Oakwood mutiny, she

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1140372406545819212006-02-20T02:06:00.000+08:002006-02-20T06:08:31.886+08:00

Being a weeklong celebration of EDSA People Power Revolution, the blogosphere, however comparatively new, is not about to bemoan the irrelevance of that glorious event.Apart from the moving account by PCIJ blog of the many varied participants of People Power, Helga recounts her Valkyrie experience of EDSA 20 years ago. She shares her experiences here and here.A very moving account peppered with

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1139944258659689842006-02-15T03:10:00.000+08:002006-02-15T09:16:07.583+08:00

20 years ago, when we were still law students, we felt a breath of fresh air stirring in our midst when Cardinal Sin called out the people to protect the soldiers. To us, we wondered what all that meant. At that time, we just finished studying the 1973 Constitution or the Marcos Constitution and I recall that not even the commentaries of Fr. Bernas spoke negatively of that charter, al least not

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1139762918547351802006-02-13T00:48:00.000+08:002006-02-13T00:48:38.560+08:00

I do not understand why the Senators are timid against fighting E. O. 464.  The Constitution is behind them. The legal luminaries are digging in for a fight. But the Senate continues to play the dog whose bark is worse than its bite.I have mentioned to Manolo that the Palace is gearing for a fight, taking a page from Bill Clinton entanglements with Newt Gingrich.  Unfortunately for Newt, he

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1139414521138570392006-02-09T00:02:00.000+08:002006-02-09T00:02:46.130+08:00

I was browsing through Inq7.net and I chanced upon an article on the arraignment of Dinky Soliman in the Php20 Million libel case filed by Congressman Marcoleta. If I got the article right, the judge in that case refused to act on Dinky’s Motion to Quash (on the ground that the facts do not constitute an offense) until she enters a plea. As a result, the public prosecutor entered, on her behalf,

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1139246054739859512006-02-07T01:14:00.000+08:002006-02-07T03:24:11.980+08:00

In an article published in the Inquirer, Secretary of Justice Raul Gonzalez claimed that ABS CBN should be held liable for the stampede that caused the death of so many civilians. Essentially, he is quoted as saying that ABS is guilty of reckless imprudence resulting to death, that “Death is proof of liability”If there is one official that should not speak in sound bytes, it is the Justice

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1138838338051262512006-02-02T07:58:00.000+08:002006-02-03T11:06:19.796+08:00

Like Ricky Carandang, hectic days and busy schedules should not prevent a blogger from posting even if the days are long, the future unclear, and the road to truth and justice seemed to have taken an awful bend. And no, my dsl is working perfectly ever since Manolo wrote about his DSL angst in the Inquirer.In his latest posting, Ricky was quite pointed in his question to the Black and White

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1137777692386373852006-01-21T01:21:00.000+08:002006-01-21T01:21:32.603+08:00

Now that Hilario Davide, Jr. is no longer Chief Justice, he can unrobe himself and revert back to the politician that he was during the Batasang Pambansa years.In this political cauldron, all the ingredients for a change of government are abrewing except for one: a credible unifying standard bearer of the opposition.  To date, no one has filled those shoes yet. Cory’s time has passed; Cardinal

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1137690591683158282006-01-20T01:09:00.000+08:002006-01-20T01:09:51.696+08:00

This year will be a defining moment for the Supreme Court.If the Executive Department had its years of glory and efficiency under Cory and Ramos and the Legislative Department its heyday in the time of Senators Taňada, Diokno and Recto, the judiciary will have a thousand flowers blooming this year.A series of cases have been filed before the Supreme Court and it involves both the legislative and

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1137428912253359512006-01-17T00:16:00.000+08:002006-01-17T00:28:45.210+08:00

After reading Tita Cory's Statement on the Council of State, I have just one question: If GMA's legitimacy is in doubt, why do we continue to address her as President?In the spirit of being consistent with the belief that the last presidential election was stolen, should we not desist on calling her Madame President and just term her Mrs. Arroyo or just plain GMA? Calling her by those names would

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1136115186348467162006-01-01T19:33:00.000+08:002006-01-01T22:52:58.803+08:00

Come this year, the Supreme Court will examine several cases which were brought on by the defensive stance of the Executive branch of government. Principally, they will deal with the constitutionality of Executive Order No. 464 and the Calibrated Preemptive Response or fondly known as CPR.With Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban at the helm, what are the odds that the Panganiban Supreme Court will

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1135966040697815732005-12-31T02:07:00.000+08:002005-12-31T16:34:53.656+08:00

As this year ends today, we look back with either mirth or anger, regret or resolve, laughter or sadness. This yearend is no exception. We have fought the good fight, we have run the race. Yet, the fight is not yet done, and the race has yet to end. Where do we go from here?While many of us who belong to either side of the political fence can either claim victory or defeat, the determination to

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1135706185090110892005-12-28T01:56:00.001+08:002010-12-11T09:53:09.043+08:00

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1135211711942023172005-12-22T08:35:00.000+08:002005-12-22T08:52:25.120+08:00

Much has been said about the Consultative Commission. As a newsworthy event, the recommendations of the ConCom were fodder for bloggers and opinion writers who have lambasted the findings as being unrepresentative of the sentiments of the people. Or as Ricky Carandang shockingly discovered, genuine reforms were not even remotely suggested.But that should hardly come as a surprise.In the first

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1135127676993473262005-12-21T09:03:00.000+08:002005-12-22T00:39:51.756+08:00

The President made a strategic choice in appointing Justice Artemio Panganiban as Chief Justice, not so much because he is hardworking (undoubtedly) but to put a leash on Justice Reynato Puno.In the order of hierarchy, Justice Puno is the most senior justice in the Supreme Court after Chief Justice Davide. Logically and by tradition, he should have been the Chief Justice. Had he been appointed,

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1134847698064717772005-12-18T02:50:00.000+08:002005-12-18T08:35:47.520+08:00

Last night, 17 December, my sister, her husband and daughter were scheduled to arrive from the United States. They took Northwest Flight No. 71. Since our driver took a leave of absence, I asked my nephew to accompany me to the airport. Not wanting to wait in the waiting lounge which actually resembled a cockpit pen, we decided to kill time and grab some bite at a nearby resto.Since I thought

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1134674959286263512005-12-16T03:29:00.000+08:002005-12-16T03:29:19.323+08:00

The recent arrest cum invitation of the police to former General Fortunato Abat shows that this government has no sense of humor.The former General Abat whose time has passed should have been ignored.  His call for a transition government was a joke even amongst the administration. But someone within the Palace lost his sense of humor and decided to go after a senior citizen. They did not even

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1134578253092632892005-12-15T00:37:00.000+08:002005-12-15T01:50:04.850+08:00

If the administration thinks that by presenting Garci at the height of the Christmas shopping season, it was going to deflate the anger and outrage against the president, they thought wrong.If Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye thinks he can baffle everybody with his trademark b. s. in his daily roundups with the Malacanang press corps, he thought wrong.If Comelec Chairman Abalos thinks he is God’s

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1134488363811884492005-12-13T23:39:00.000+08:002005-12-13T23:46:23.320+08:00

Are They Covered By R. A. No. 4200?(This extended research was submitted to my Palace friends and the Opposition prior to the Remulla hearings of the Garci tapes)INTRODUCTIONFrom the moment intercepted and recorded cellular phone conversations between Commissioner Garcillano and other political personalities were publicly aired over TV and radio, most everybody concluded that the Garci Tapes (for

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1134453382029903022005-12-13T13:56:00.000+08:002005-12-13T22:46:43.020+08:00

I am a Catholic. I have always believed in the teachings of the Catholic Church. No matter how anathema they are to communists, liberals, secular humanists, Freemasons, modernists and women’s libbers, I am willing to die a martyr’s death. Even when the recent born-again phenomenon threatened to unravel the stranglehold of the Catholic Church among the indifferent, the lukewarm and the devoted, I

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1133800956569025252005-12-06T00:42:00.000+08:002005-12-06T04:31:58.673+08:00

Lest anyone think that Garci is a hapless victim, one only has to look at his countenance. For someone who is on the run, Garci should have, by all accounts, surfaced gaunt and emaciated. Instead, he is in picture perfect health, with a double chin to boot, a bigger paunch, and if I am not mistaken, his mane has acquired some sheen.Like a Gatling gun, Garci alighted from his speedboat spewing out

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1133600506870119912005-12-03T17:01:00.000+08:002005-12-03T18:56:22.896+08:00

Another weekend poem from the 12-year old Xavier lad, Matthew Go, whose understanding of human emotions speaks well beyond his years. Our human capital may be in flight but our artistic expression shall remain inestimable with poets nurtured young and poems crafted with grace----------------------------- How often we don’t cry when tears are neededAnd how often we weep for the wrong reasonsHow

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1133459776068626172005-12-02T01:56:00.000+08:002005-12-02T08:42:00.820+08:00

If there was one thing I learned while employed in the law firm of the late great Senator Raul Roco, it is to adopt a multi-disciplinary approach to a legal problem. While the law and its varied rules and regulations may take precedence, other sciences should equally be brought to bear on any given subject.Which brings us to the Garci tapes. Practically everybody has been caught up with the

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1133144740354359432005-11-28T10:25:00.000+08:002005-11-28T11:11:06.313+08:00

This article was posted last 18 July 2005 at the height of the Congressional investigations on the Garci tapes. It is being reposted with some corrections. This article assumes renewed significance in the light of Garci’s resurfacing and his seemingly “non-repudiation” repudiation and “non-denial” denial of the tapes..My point: The Garci tapes are not a violation of the Anti-Wiretapping Act in

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1133009945674490672005-11-26T20:59:00.000+08:002005-11-26T22:01:56.650+08:00

I am a fond reader of poems! And I think, so does Rizalist who does not hesitate to use them in his blog. To quote William Congreve, English poet and playwright, poems, like music, have "charms to soothe a savage beast, to soften rocks or bend a knotted oak". This weekend, I have endeavored to post with permission "SPLENDOR", a poem written by Matthew Go, a 12-year old Xavier lad who is turning

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1132940355860462502005-11-26T01:39:00.000+08:002005-11-26T09:13:18.076+08:00

Once more, a blog turner from the Black & White Movement chronicling the travails of the mendacious Garci and a call for him to surface and speak the truth of the last election. Suffice the well-written blog to speak for itself.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------We apologize for the inactivity for the last few days, but we are

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1132916744465661692005-11-25T19:03:00.000+08:002005-11-25T21:27:01.206+08:00

The Temporary Restraining Order issued by Judge Ralph Lee removing a PCIJ blog on Jonathan Tiongco has expired.To read the article and wonder whether the judge's previous TRO had merit, click this link and the PCIJ explanation of the expiration here. Thank you, Judge Lee for your inaction. And thanks to all bloggers who did their share of public indignation.Congratulations to PCIJ and 3 cheers

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1132885981203557212005-11-25T10:33:00.000+08:002005-11-26T00:57:27.906+08:00

The Philippines has just made it to Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!If the Himalayas have the Yeti, Scotland, her Loch Ness Monster, and the Rockies, their Bigfoot, the Philippines have Abominable Garci!He has been sighted in almost all the nooks and crannies of the Island of Mindanao. Unlike the Paleolithic creatures which are known to chew foliage and devour carcasses, this Garci has been known to

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1132753248532084872005-11-23T21:40:00.000+08:002005-11-24T07:25:23.800+08:00

Today was the first day of the preliminary investigation for the rape case and where lawyers from both sides appeared for the first time before the City Fiscal’s Office of Olongapo City. The preliminary investigation was handled poorly by the City Fiscal. But that is another story. From the defense is the likeable and very competent son of the late Sen. Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo, Atty. “King”

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1132592385105428372005-11-22T00:59:00.000+08:002005-11-22T03:22:46.153+08:00

The race for Ombudsman/woman is on and I, for one, intend to join the fray. My fearful (not fearless) forecast - She may seem to be llamado but I do not think Presidential Chief Legal Counsel, Merceditas Gutierrez, will be appointed the next Ombudsman. There are a number of things going against her, but gender is not one of them. First, her perceived closeness to the First Gentleman is not only a

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1132414143286835612005-11-19T23:29:00.000+08:002005-11-20T21:00:46.320+08:00

Just tonight, I caught Karmina Constantino on ANC interviewing Cong. Nograles regarding the yet to be officially released congressional report on Garci. He mentioned that the administration has no knowledge of Garci's disappearance and is just as eager to locate him.That may be a bit of a stretch! The genesis of Garci’s disappearance began when the cell phone tapped conversations between Garci

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1132331980987085332005-11-19T00:39:00.000+08:002005-11-19T00:46:17.110+08:00

One has not seen a greater spectacle of government people, cops, cabinet secretaries falling all over themselves than this government trying to wiggle out of the mess they got themselves into. And the longer they explain, the more incredulous the reasons become. Their explanations insult even the very memory of Pinocchio. Take the Ortigas Rubout. However the Traffic Management Group (TMG) justify

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1132168724127784632005-11-17T03:18:00.000+08:002005-11-17T09:39:57.966+08:00

I could not help dissent from the opinion of my fellow Atenean and fellow FEU law professor, Geronimo Sy.In his article entitled “Presidential Power, Presidential Issues” posted online at the ABS-CBN News webpage, while he correctly pointed out that the issue besetting this president is her legitimacy, his solution is quite problematic and I quote:“The only way to be legitimate in the present

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1132153671376074332005-11-16T23:07:00.000+08:002005-11-16T23:07:51.400+08:00

Why do Filipino factotums clear first, then investigate later when wrongdoings are committed by their underlings.  Examples:The day after the rubout, Sec. Angie Reyes cleared the policemen of wrongdoing, and when additional evidences proved a staged rubout, says that they have not been actually cleared;Speaker de Venecia defending the 4 congressmen who were accused by the Commission on Audit of

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1132061956980615602005-11-15T21:39:00.000+08:002005-11-16T11:19:37.556+08:00

One of the first things that lawyer Katrina Legarda wanted, upon being retained as lawyer for the Subic rape victim, was to ask for the change of venue. While as a general rule, venue is jurisdictional, i. e., a criminal case must be tried in the court having jurisdiction where the crime is committed, a change of venue can be ordered by the Supreme Court to avoid a miscarriage of justice. The

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1131987377239501932005-11-15T00:56:00.000+08:002005-11-15T11:08:22.140+08:00

Caught on ANC Attys. Raul Lambino and Rita Jimeno, two members of the Constitutional Consultative Commission. They were proposing to curb the expanded powers of the Supreme Court. If I heard them right, they want to prevent the High Court from reviewing government contracts.Atty. Lambino claimed that the expanded powers of the Supreme Court were brought about as a reaction to the restricted role

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1131802159063831922005-11-12T21:29:00.000+08:002005-11-12T21:52:30.486+08:00

Last Wednesday, the Black and White Movement came out with their first public information ad and subsequently, it was posted in their website. Incidentally, the blog of the Black and White Movement is blckandwhte.blogspot.com. If you believe in its advocacy and its reform agenda, please link it to your sites. I did.Well, after the ad was posted in their blog, I browsed through their comments and

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1131725005321037832005-11-12T00:03:00.000+08:002005-11-12T03:00:47.600+08:00

Last 9 November 2005, the Inquirer came out with an article where a timber corporation owned by Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile was granted a renewal license to cut almost a third of the trees found within the Samar Island Nature Park, a rich biodiversity park. The grant to Sen. Enrile’s San Jose Timber Corporation by the Arroyo government has been severely criticized by environmentalist groups and

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1131636001040879002005-11-10T23:20:00.000+08:002005-11-11T01:57:49.196+08:00

A pleasant surprise awaited me after attending a labor case in the morning!Coming home for lunch, I decided to check on my gmail. And surprisingly, a lady emailed me informing me that I was featured in the November 21 issue of the Newsbreak Magazine where Chief Justice Davide was the cover feature. She proceeded to pose her legal query. I surmised that she passed through my other blogsite,

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1131544412514959662005-11-09T21:53:00.000+08:002005-11-10T09:33:41.856+08:00

Anyone who reads the Visiting Forces Agreement especially the provisions on Criminal Jurisdiction (Article V, Section 6) will critically conclude that the Philippine panel negotiating the agreement were not composed of litigation lawyers and were not cognizant of the pragmatic realities of the Philippine judicial system.Under the Article V (Criminal Jurisdiction), Section 6, a criminal case must

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1131468893960633822005-11-09T00:54:00.000+08:002005-11-10T03:42:27.140+08:00

What’s going on in the Palace?First, you have Secretary Norberto Gonzales cited for contempt and held a prisoner of the SenateSecond, as a result, the Palace issues Executive Order No. 464 prohibiting any member from attending legislative investigations without approval from the President. That was met with scorn;Third, Secretary Eduardo Ermita implements the Calibrated Preemptive Response which

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1131390406023285892005-11-08T03:06:00.000+08:002005-11-08T03:09:34.806+08:00

For those who think that the members of the Black and White Movement is composed only of the Hyatt 10 or elitist, I am reprinting here the answer of Ms. Helga, a Valkyrie sent by Odin to correct the misimpressions as to who comprise the Black & White Movement.Two questions were asked by an anonymous commenter:“1. Why are you called black & white2. Did you guys quit your day jobs because of a tape

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1131383888070525662005-11-08T01:18:00.000+08:002005-11-08T01:18:08.726+08:00

Yesterday, the president issued her strongest criticism yet of media who continue to cast her and her government in a bad light, likening them to doomsayers and to that little chicken who kept insisting the sky is falling.This is a rant by any definition.  If the president’s statements were opaque on her alleged illicit participation in the last presidential polls, her statements regarding media’

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1131120651779713042005-11-05T00:10:00.000+08:002005-11-05T10:35:57.023+08:00

In an appalling disregard for the constitutional right to freedom of expression, a Quezon City Regional Trial Court judge, in a case filed by the wife of Jonathan Tiongco, the alleged voice-technical expert of Sec. Mike Defensor, issued a resolution ordering PCIJ to remove the PCIJ blog on Jonathan Tiongco, after the judge deemed it in the best interests of Mrs.Jonathan Tiongco, over and above

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1131048872405794012005-11-04T04:14:00.000+08:002005-11-04T10:02:00.566+08:00

Come next week, the people’s search for truth will climb a notch higher. All those evidences that would have either exculpated or convicted the president shall be presented in this Citizen’s Congress for Truth and Accountability, a forum where bits and pieces, to torrents and finally to roomfuls of evidence proving in detail the president’s acts of betrayal, culpable violation of the

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1130988257540323952005-11-03T11:10:00.000+08:002005-11-03T11:24:17.573+08:00

I will digress a bit. The "Undas" brought much respite and for a few days, I was out of internet connection and God said that it was good. Spend time to commune with nature, with the whole family and listened to almost everybody talking about "Pinoy Big Brother". Anyway, it was a good time away from the city to enjoy a restful stay in Pililla, Rizal. My wife's blog captured in pictures and

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1130611346397160262005-10-30T01:52:00.000+08:002005-10-30T03:48:11.813+08:00

With the opposition now holding fort in churches near the Palace, the administration has been convincing the fencesitters among us that the church must maintain the wall of separation between church and state. That is a constitutional prescription that must be observed by both church and state. Not necessarily so.The Wall of Separation between church and state is not so much for the church to

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1130429778821382522005-10-27T22:51:00.000+08:002005-10-28T09:46:13.003+08:00

I studied in St. Jude Catholic School, a school which is probably the most militarized academic institution in the whole Philippines, notwithstanding the fact that with the exception of the mandatory Citizen’s Army Training, not one single subject is devoted to military science.On the other hand, St. Jude Catholic Church is the most visited church on a Thursday, next to Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1130342885625823942005-10-26T23:47:00.000+08:002005-10-27T00:08:05.863+08:00

The Rotary Club claims to promote high ethical standards in the professional lives of its members. They call it the Four Way Test, to wit:1. Is it the TRUTH?2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?Now, dear Rotarians who read this blog, do you think Rotarian Joc Joc Bolante deserves to be a Rotarian in your

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1130141107463916142005-10-24T16:05:00.000+08:002005-10-24T16:12:04.953+08:00

In the comments section of my last article, an anonymous fellow wondered if I was a theocrat masquerading as an intellectual. In another comment, a fellow politely cursed me for creating a traffic snarl during the Black & White Mendiola Walk. Well, Messrs. Anonymous, I am no theocrat even if I do believe in God and thank you for regarding me as an intellectual. Quite frankly, the thought never

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1129918412385731932005-10-22T02:13:00.000+08:002005-10-22T03:15:32.506+08:00

My high school classmate who is just as concerned as I with the present political crisis asked me in our Yahoogroup why I joined the rally at Mendiola Bridge, and are not the rallies causing so much anxiety and traffic. Also, he asked who is going to handle the EVAT, the oil price increases, etc. with rallies abounding. I responded to my good friend and with some corrections, reproduced my answer

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1129870525879300952005-10-21T12:53:00.000+08:002005-10-21T15:52:57.323+08:00

Finally, for the longest time, the Jesuits have been inordinately silent in the ongoing controversy. And as we say in law: “Silence means consent”. How glad that I was so wrong!The Atenean lay community, of which I am a part of, was gravely concerned at the stingy silence of the sons of Iñigo. And so, without guidance from the Ignatian fathers, many graduates of Katipunan and Padre Faura have

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1129785497840198982005-10-20T13:18:00.000+08:002005-10-20T13:22:39.683+08:00

Heard last Tuesday Congressman Raul I. Gonzales, Jr. in ANC’s Strictly Politics stating the reason the House dismissed the impeachment complaint: “the Senate has already prejudged the case, it is a kangaroo court” or words to that effect.If the Senate is a kangaroo court, what then are Cong. Raul “Illogical” Gonzales, Jr. and the House? Joeys?---------------------Executive Secretary Ermita on Sen

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1129746453738859272005-10-20T02:27:00.000+08:002005-10-20T02:32:05.056+08:00

Black & White MovementSTATEMENT ON THE MENDIOLA PRAYER WALK OF BLACK & WHITEContact: Vicente Romano IIICell. No.09209615610 BLACK & WHITE MOVEMENT CROSSES MENDIOLA BRIDGETHE members of Black & White Movement, together with the Hyatt 10 and other concerned citizens, today exercised their freedom of conscience and their right to peaceably assemble, and pray for the good of our country.We gathered

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188432.post-1129654225506705982005-10-19T00:32:00.000+08:002005-10-19T01:22:56.993+08:00

The Supreme Court victory of this government in the Expanded Value Added Tax case will ironically signal the beginning of the end of this administration.From hereon, rallies will no longer center solely around the legitimacy of the Arroyo government, rallies and welgang bayan will be repeatedly held centering around economic hardships, the EVAT and her legitimacy, of course. The victory in the

Edwin Lacierdahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498998943215285752noreply@blogger.com2