These are interesting times. From a group calling itself Unity for Truth comes this press release:

Filipino psychic predicts Arroyo’s downfall

A noted Filipino psychic said on Wednesday that President Arroyo would be forced to leave the presidency in the next two months to usher in a transitional government composed mainly of military generals. The transitional government will briefly rule preparatory to the holding of presidential elections.

Danilo Atienza, who mainly does corporate psychic readings claims a batting average of 99 percent in his predictions, said he was seeing Arroyo’s downfall within the next 50 days as the country would be plunged into more troubles including massive shooting in the streets, adding that four generals would withdraw support from the president, three from the military and one from the police.

“GMA (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) will be booted out; I already said so in 1993. Thousands of people would die in the streets. It will be bloody. There will be massive shootings and stores would be ransacked,” he said, adding that such chaotic state could occur within the critical period of July 13 up to August 13.

Atienza saw among others the outbreak of the Gulf War, the fall of one of NASA’s space shuttles and the deaths of Asia’s most influential bishop, Jaime Cardinal Sin, former Senators Renato Cayetano and Blas Ople, the fall of the peso to the dollar with the exchange rate of 55, the rise into power of Former President Ferdinand Marcos, the coup attempts against former President Corazon Aquino and the elections into office of former Presidents Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada, whom he accurately said would not finish his term. The NASA even wrote the psychic for his accurate prediction.

Atienza said that Arroyo would be replaced by a brief military junta that will be spawned by street rioting and the massive breakdown in the law and order. The junta, would be headed by a woman, whom he refused to name but said a very popular choice of the Filipinos, especially the poor.

The transitional government will rule up to the elections, which he saw would be taking place possibly within this year.

As for Arroyo and members of her family, the psychic said they might suffer the same fate of Estrada who is now being tried on charges of plunder. He sees an acquittal for Estrada.

Atienza, an avowed supporter of Senator Panfilo Lacson, but whom he noted would never become president, said there would be a calm following the elections. He added that the most likely winner would be Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. “Pimentel, has the lucky letters “EL” which have already sent politicians to the seat of power.”

In 2003, Atienza reiterated his prediction against Arroyo that she would fall if she fails to control the situation, and on March 10, 2004, he predicted that Poe will win the elections.

“If against the odds, Poe loses his bid for the presidency… the worst case scenario is that the country will go into a state of anarchy,” he said then.

Newspapers carried reports of Atienza’s predictions at the time. He said, “there would never be another woman president after Estrada.”

Concerning Vice President Noli de Castro, Atienza categorically stated that “he has no right to become president, Noli de Castro, never, never to be a president, never.”

Atienza said that those who will and who have already occupied Malacanang are those with letters “OS” and “EL” in their names like former Presidents Sergio Osmena, Ferdinand Marcos and Joseph Estrada.

He said Emilio Aguinaldo and Ramon Magsaysay were presidents who do not have one of the two letter combinations in their names, and both did not finish their terms.#

Killing of Mindanao journalist a step backward for press freedom

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has called the killing of broadcaster Rolando Morales "another step backwards in the fight for press freedom."

Morales, anchorman of Tingog sa Barangay (Voice of the Village) program of Radio Mindanao Network, was shot by eight still unidentified motorcycle-riders around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday in Polomolok town, South Cotabato (not General Santos City as earlier reported).

The IFJ, an organization that represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries, said Morales' murder "only added to the culture of violence toward journalists that has formed in the Philippines."

"The pattern of violence emerging in the Philippines is not acceptable. The pursuit of truth should not come with a death sentence," said IFJ President Christopher Warren in a statement issued on Monday.

Morales is the sixth journalist to be killed in the Philippines this year, and the 69th since 1986 when democracy was restored in the country.

"The (Philippine) government needs to take a stand for press freedom and they need to do it now before another life is lost," Warren said.

Morales, who had finished broadcasting his radio show minutes earlier, suffered 15 gunshot wounds and died before he was brought to hospital.

Just a week before the ambush Morales reportedly accused several barangay (village) officials of involvement in summary executions and illegal drugs.

The killing of Morales followed the increasing attacks and threats against Filipino journalists, including the murder of Philip Agustin, publisher and editor of the Starline Times Recorder in May.

"The IFJ strongly condemned the murder as an unacceptable attack on freedom of expression and called on authorities to immediately investigate the incident," the IFJ statement said.

The group echoed the call of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippine for all Filipino journalists to fight attempts to silence the media.

"Filipino journalists are still at a great risk despite government claims of upholding press freedom. They have to take a stand and stop the killing," Warren said.

The Philippines has been declared second only to Iraq, a war-torn nation, as the most deadly place for journalists to work, coming second on the IFJ's 2004 journalists and media workers killed list.

Tag-ulan na naman, malamig

Tag-ulan na naman dito sa Pilipinas. Pasukan na naman ng mga mag-aaral. Simula na naman ng pagkakamot sa ulo ng mga magulang na ang tanging pangarap ay huwag matulad sa kanila ang mga anak kaya kailangan nilang kumayod para pangmatrikula.

Mag-aral ka, iyan lang ang tangi mong puhunan. Mahirap lang tayo. Ito ang ‘di ko makalimutang pangaral ng aking ama noong ako’y hindi pa marunong mag-brief at tanging kaligayahan lang ang makapanood ng tig-P1.50 na palabas sa nag-iisang sinehan na pugad ng surot sa aming bayan.

Bakit nga ba pinili ng mga matatalino noon sa ating bayan na gawing Hunyo ang pasukan, kung kailan halos araw-araw lumuluha ang langit at nagbo-bowling ang mga anghel sa ibabaw ng ulap. Hanggang ngayon, kung kelan isa-isa nang pumuti ang aking buhok, ‘di ko pa rin maarok ang dahilan kung bakit Hunyo ang simula ng pasukan.

Bakit nga ba parang kaligayahan yata ng mga nakakatanda ang pahirapan ang mga nakakabata. Bakit nga ba kailangan pumasok ng ala-siete ng umaga kung pwede namang alas-nuwebe ang oras ng pasukan.

Tandang-tanda ko pa noong ako’y bata pa. (Oo minsan din ako naging bata at nangarap tumanda.) Hindi pa man sumisilip ang haring araw sa may silangan, nagtatalak na ang aking ina. Kesyo kailangan nang pumunta sa palayan at mamulot ng ligaw na kangkong para ipakain sa baboy, kesyo kailangan mag-igib ng tubig para may pansaing, kesyo kailangang magwalis dahil makapal na ang dahong nagkalat sa silong.

Mabuti na lang ‘di ko alam na child labor pala ang ginawa ko noon, kundi lagot ang mga magulang kong mahal at siguradong demanda ang kanilang aabutin. Aba, mantakin n’yo ba namang ang sarap ng tulog ko mambubulahaw ang nanay dahil kailangan ko magtrabaho kesyo mahirap lang kami at kailangang magsumikap.

E, bakit nga ba ‘di kami mayaman? Lintek na buhay naman. Bakit nga ba kung sino ang naghihirap at nagpapapawis para kumita siya ang walang makaing masarap at walang sasakyang magara.

Siyanga pala, pasukan sa eskwela ang pinag-uusapan. Pagkatapos kong magpaalila, layas na ako papuntang eskwela. Bitbit ang libro’t papel na nakasiksik sa bag na butas-butas, ‘yong gamit ng mga probinsyano sa pamamalengke, o kaya plastic na supot na tanging yaman naming mga estudyanteng probinsyano.

Masaya na ako noon kapag makapagnakaw ng bayabas sa puno ng kapitbahay o kaya’y hinog na kalamansi. Kaya siguro kahit wala kaming makaing mga probinsyano ‘di kami madaling magkalagnat o sipunin kahit dahon ng saging o gabi lang ang payong kapag umuulan. Sa dami ba naman ng nananakaw naming bayabas at kalamansi siguradong overdose na kami ng Vitamin C.

Liban sa pasukan, tag-ulan din ang panahon ng pagpapakasal ng marami sa ating mga kababayan. Siguro dahil masarap makipagyakapan sa gabi habang pumapatak ang ulan sa bubong na nipa o cogon o di kaya’y sa yerong kalawangin.

Pero bakit pati mayayaman sa tag-ulan nagpapakasal? ‘Di naman siguro nila nararamdaman ang ulan sa loob ng air-conditioned nilang mga tahanan. Pauso rin lang siguro, ano po. E ba’t di na lang sa Disyembre magpakasal, medyo mahaba-haba ang taglamig at romantic pa dahil maraming makukulay na parol at memorable ang tugtog kahit sa mumurahing mga radyo na AM lang ang istasyong nakukuha.

Hirap intindihin ng buhay, no? Hirap isipin kung bakit pa lalalayas sa Pilipinas at sa ibang bayan pa maghahanap ng pagkakaperahan na kung tutuusin napakayaman naman ng ating bayan.

Marami kasing kurakot sa atin. Maraming buwaya. Nabubuhay kasi sa tubig ang mga hayop na ito. Lagi kasing umuulan sa Pilipinas kaya maraming tubig, kaya maraming buwaya. Oo nga, mayaman ang Pilipinas kaya maraming mapagsamantala at ang mga maliliit ang laging nasasagasaan. Saan ka ba naman makakakita ng malaking nasasagasaan ng maliit.

Ba’t ba panay reklamo na lang tayo? Masaya naman sa Pinas a, maraming nakakatuwa at nakakatawa lalo na sa panahon natin ngayon. Tingnan n’yo naman, nakakatawang makalipas ang ilang daang taon, ngayon lang naiisip na imbestigahan ang jueteng. E baka nga pati si Rizal at Bonifacio tumaya ng jueteng noong panahon nila.

Pinag-uusapan din ang korupsyon, aba’y reklamo na yata nila Lapu-Lapu ‘yan noong kanilang panahon. Bakit nga ba di nababago ang Pilipinas?

Marami daw kasing reklamo. E yong mga matatalinong may pamasahe papunta sa labas nagsipaglayasan. Ang mga mahihirap na nakapag-aral lumayas na rin dahil ‘di nabubuhay sa bayang walang pagkakataon ang ‘di kakilala ng may-ari ng negosyo o kamag-anak ng mayor, kongresista , gobernador, Ponsio Pilato, demonyo, ewan ko!

Noong bata pa ako, naririnig ko ang mga kapitbahay naming katsismisan ng nanay ko na nagsabing pinaglihi yata ako sa puwet ng manok. Ang daldal ko daw kasi, ang daming sinasabi. Natatakot nga ako minsan na baka hindi totoo ang kwento nila. Natatakot ako na baka may tama lang talaga ako sa ulo kaya marami akong naiisip. Bakit nga ba ang dami kong tanong. Ang dami kong reklamo. ‘Yong iba naman nabubuhay ng maayos na hindi nagrereklamo at ‘di nagsusulat ng kung anong kwento.

Tag-ulan na naman kasi, malamig. Marami kang maiisip ‘pag malamig ang panahon, tulad ng ginataang saging, kamoteng nilaga, tsokolate ni lola, tuba ni lolo, hita ng kapitbahay, problema sa eskwela, pang-matrikula, pangkain, pera, pera, pera, problema sa lipunan, hustisya, kapayapaan, panggugulo ng mga natatalo sa halalan, ewan ko ba ang daming problema.

Ang saya siguro kung ‘di natin naiisip ang problema, o ‘di kaya wala tayong pinoproblema, kung kasama natin lagi ang mga mahal sa buhay, tawanan, videoke, karaoke, at ok lagi ang buhay dahil may makakain ang lahat, libre ang pag-aaral, malinis ang paligid at walang namamatay sa malaria., walang natitigok sa dengue at walang balitang masama. Wala na rin sigurong diaryo. Wow, grabe, mabuti pa si Wowowee nag-asawa ng maganda dahil lagi siyang nagpapatawa. Minsan swerte talaga ng ibang tao, patawa ka lang kikita ka, ‘yong iba nating mga kababayan kailangan magpunas ng puwet ng dayuhan para lang kumita at mapag-aral ang mga anak o mapakain ang mga magulang.

Malungkot na eksena sa aking isipan minsan ang mga kababayan na napipilitang maglaba, magsaing, paliguan at bihisan ang mga anak ng dayuhan para makabili ng pagkain at damit na malabhan ang mga naiwan na mga mahal sa buhay sa sarili nating bayan. Lungkot ‘no? labo talaga ng mundo. Minsan pwede na ring magdasal na lang, baka hulugan tayo ng swerte ng langit. Pero Diyos na rin ang may sabi na ang sinumang hindi magpapawis sa noo ay walang karapatang kumain. E ba’t yong iba, ni hindi pinagpawisan, nakakakain ng masarap?

Siguro kailangan nga nating kumilos, magtrabaho para kumita, para makapag-ipon, para mapag-aral ang mga bata at para mabago naman ang mukha ng ating lipunan, na tayong masisipag, tayong nagtatrabaho ang kumain ng masarap at lumigaya at ‘di lumuha dahil malayo sa kasintahan, sa asawa, anak at mga magulang na gawain na yata talaga ang magtatalak.

Wow, haba na ng litanya ko ng reklamo, baka wala na kayong magawa, sige trabaho na tayo, sa susunod naman.

Former President Corazon Aquino (second, right) and U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone presented the 2005 Benigno "Ninoy" S. Aquino, Jr. Fellowships for Professional Development awards to Yasmin Busran-Lao (left) for public service and to Jose A. Torres, Jr. (right) for journalism in a ceremony held at the U.S. Embassy in Manila on February 16. The award, established by the Embassy in 1988 to commemorate the late senator's accomplishments and public service, includes a study-tour of the U.S. for Busran-Lao and Torres to meet and exchange views with professionals in their fields. Busran-Lao, founder of the Marawi City-based non-government organization Al-Kujadilah Foundation, was cited for her efforts to foster development in the impoverished communities of Muslim Mindanao and to uplift the status of women in community building and peace initiatives. Torres, a senior editor of the abs-cbnNews.com writes for several Manila and Mindanao-based publications and is author of two books that won the National Book Award for Journalism. He is working on several books on terrorism, human rights, politics and church affairs while producing investigative documentaries for television.

"I believe in journalism that simply tells the stories of people's lives. I believe in journalism that does not make celebrities out of journalists. I believe in journalism that contributes to understanding, not conflict."

Remarks by Jose Torres Jr. after receiving the 2005 Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Fellowship for Professional Development given by the Embassy of the United States of America
February 16, 2005


Ambassador Ricciardone, Madame President Aquino, colleagues and friends.

Being a journalist is the best award I achieved in my life. Working as a journalist is a privilege I enjoy. I never expected that doing things I really love merits an award.

I was born in a place where people love to tell stories. I came from a place where stories and dreams are the only things most people enjoy for free. I came from a place where real-life stories are truly stranger than fiction.

I grew up in Mindanao where stories about religious groups doing bizarre rituals were as real as stories about elections and governance.

I just came back from a place in Mindanao yesterday where a town mayor officiated the wedding of more than a hundred couples while hundreds of people were marching around town, carrying the coffin of the witness of a journalist’s murder.

I came back from a town where I listened, for almost two hours, to a killer brag about how easy it is to end the life of another human being. He was proud to tell me how he and his town mates were able to support the local economy by working as guns-for-hire.

I came back from Mindanao where I once more feasted on the vastness of its seas, the greenness of its forests and the possibility of discovering mysteries and stories that seemed to forever hide behind the shadow of its mountains.

I believe in a journalism that simply tells the stories of people’s lives. I believe in a journalism that does not make celebrities out of journalists. I believe in a journalism that contributes to understanding, not conflict.

There’s no lack for stories that make this kind of journalism. For instance, a priest in a town in Basilan hates to talk about Muslim-Christian dialogue, but invites his Muslim friends to the convent for a feast. “I just promised them that I do not prepare pork,” he said.

I just love to tell stories. That’s why I once dreamt of becoming a journalist. I did not know then that I was supposed to be responsible. I did not care then what would happen to the “subjects” of my stories. Why should I care? I did not even care then what would happen to me after I write the stories.

The realization that doing good journalism, writing stories of people’s lives – be they mighty or serf, terrorist or priest – describing their plight, made me feel that I am just one of them – a citizen and a storyteller. It led me to discover later that I also have a responsibility to be part of the struggle to defend the rule of law, human rights and the search for truth.

Working as a journalist made me realize how difficult it is to live in peace. Politicians interpret the law according to their own designs, interest groups try to create their reasons for existence by inventing tales of good and evil, and journalists, who love to be always in the middle of everything, often imbibe the character of both politicians and interest groups.

“We are making extremely difficult the simple fact of living together as human beings,” one journalist once remarked. It is true. But I also believe it is also extremely simple for us to make the fact of living together as human beings simple.

Journalists need not commit to any cause or belief or advocacy to contribute to changing the face of the earth. We only need to commit ourselves to truth and honesty. My only hope is not to forget to continue the struggle to remember it. Journalism is a state of mind, a lifetime task of storytelling.

By the way, I am excited to go to the United States. I was born and raised in a place surrounded by seas and mountains. I thought then that there’s nothing beyond it. I was wrong. The other side of the mountain has its own stories. I hope to listen to the story of America on the other side of the world.

It is an honor to receive this award. I thank the people who made this happen – my mentors, my inspirations and my friends. I accept this award on behalf of all the people whose stories helped me journey to where I am today.

Thank you.

Palace officials a 'no-show' in meeting with IFJ

Government officials Monday snubbed a meeting with representatives of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) who just wrapped up a fact-finding mission on the rising number of journalist killed in the Philippines.

In a statement, the delegation led by senior Australian journalist Gerard Noonan and journalists from Indonesia and the Philippines expressed disappointment after Malacañang canceled a scheduled meeting with Arroyo administration officials.

The IFJ delegation is in the Philippines to investigate the rising number of journalists killed. As part of the mission, a meeting was set with representatives of President Arroyo but was unexpectedly canceled by Palace officials.

More than 50 journalists have been murdered in the Philippines since 1986 -- 13 were killed in 2004 alone, making the Philippines second only to Iraq for the number of journalists killed during the year.

On Sunday, the delegation announced at a press conference in Manila that a widespread culture of violence tolerated by authorities is behind the high death toll.

"When such a culture is allowed to flourish at an official level, it is little wonder that aggrieved local strongmen or political figures turn to hit men to get even with the media," said Noonan.

Poor working conditions of journalists and the lack of safety support from employers were also reported by the delegation as being contributing factors to the high death toll.

"Vast numbers of journalists are receiving a pittance or nothing at all for their work. They are being exploited and sometimes forced into conflict-of-interest situations and do not receive safety support from their employers," said NUJP chairman Inday Espina- Varona.

The delegation traveled to General Santos City in Mindanao, Iloilo and Cebu in the Visayas and Legazpi in the Bicol region to meet with representatives of the Department of Justice, police officials, mayors, governors, victim's family members and a representative of the Commission on Human Rights.

The IFJ and the NUJP will request the Philippines government to reopen several of the cases based on the mission findings. A complete report documenting each case, the mission's findings and recommendations will be available next month.

The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries.

NUJP condemns latest media slay attempt


The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines condemned Monday the near-slay attempt against a newspaper publisher in Davao del Norte during the weekend.

Maximo Quindao, a publisher of Mindanao Truck News, was shot by two unidentified armed men in front of his house in Tagum, Davao del Norte on Sunday.

Quindao, 46, sustained gunshots to his chest and remains in critical condition.

In a statement, NUJP said the ambush is reflective of the difficult situation facing mediamen in the country.

"The attack against one mediaman should only be seen as an attack on the public's right to know. It is press freedom which is being assailed here," the NUJP said in a statement.

The group urged journalists to unite and press police and judicial authorities to follow-up on cases involving newsmen.

An international fact-finding mission organized by the International Federation of Journalists and NUJP earlier said a widespread culture of violence is tolerated and even condoned by government officials.

IFJ representative from Australia Gerard Noonan said the mission discovered instances of senior government officials, including mayors in two major cities in the south of the country, who openly supported the use of death squads in dealing with unruly elements in their towns.

"When such a culture is allowed to flourish at an official level, it is little wonder that aggrieved local strongmen or political figures turn to hitmen to get even with the media," Noonan said.

He added: "The IFJ treats this matter as one of utmost seriousness. It is completely unacceptable in a country with democratic credentials like the Philippines."

The NUJP has recorded the deaths of 13 Philippine journalists in 2004. The NUJP is documenting each of these cases and is seeking to pressure the government to reopen a number of the cases.

Bataan newsman shot dead