August 6, 2009
Commentary, Controversial, Government, Headline, Humor, Internet, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Personalities, Photos, Politics, Technology, blogging
This controversial picture has been doing the rounds online today (this has been shared and re-shared through Facebook and blogs) but just in case you didn’t get to see this, here’s one major faux pas courtesy of broadsheet Manila Bulletin. Manila Bulletin “killed” President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo! What do you think of this and what do you think will happen to the section editor of Manila Bulletin? Check out the photo found in this entry.
Notice the caption: “With utmost care. Military honor guard carefully moves the coffin of President Arroyo out of the Manila Cathedral.”
The controversial Manila Bulletin photo was published in the early edition, page 20. However, I was told that the section containing the picture was promptly removed from the newspaper sets distributed in Visayas and Mindanao.
Ever since I spotted and shared this photo online, a lot of people have expressed their opinions. Some found it absolutely hilarious, some found it sad while some found it mere human error on the part of the Manila Bulletin section editor. I wonder if the section editor will get the boot or will he or she just be reprimanded?
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
July 27, 2009
Advocacy, Commentary, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News
Today, July 27, 2009, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will address the nation in her last (or so we believe or made to believe) State of the Nation Address (SONA). So far, Arroyo has made 8 SONAs and today, during her last SONA, I want to know what she will report about Mindanao. Will she say the truth? Will she tell the whole country and the whole world the real score about the ongoing peace talks, movements against terrorism, Mindanao tourism, political controversies etc?
Will she say that during her term, more jobs were created for Mindanaoans? Will she say that the level of education became better during her presidency? Will she say that her administration has now struck a balance between population management, human development and social responsibility?
What about you…WHAT DO YOU THINK ARROYO WILL SAY ESPECIALLY ABOUT MINDANAO IN HER LAST SONA?
July 21, 2009
Bukidnon, Controversial, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Politics
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is set to be in the Province of Bukidnon today, July 21, 2009. This trip, reportedly her 7th in Mindanao so far this year, could be, in my opinion, quite a controversial one. First of all, she’s supposed to hold a cabinet meeting in Malaybalay City, the capital of Bukidnon. Why Bukidnon of all places, you ask? Exactly.
Bukidnon is the “political home” of the Zubiris. Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri served as congressman in the third district for 9 years. Incumbent Bukidnon governor Jose Ma. Zubiri, Jr. is on his last term. Bukidnon 3rd District Congressman Joey Zubiri is Migs’ brother and eldest son of the governor. Malaybalay City Vice Mayor Ignacio “Inaki” Zubiri, nephew of the governor and cousin of the senator, is said to be eyeing the mayoralty post in next year’s elections after incumbent Mayor Florencio Flores, Jr. steps down. Flores is on his last term as the city’s chief executive.
Bukidnon is also home to several controversies including the fact that the governor, who’s said to still be under the LAKAS CMD party, has endorsed different personalities as his next presidential bet. In 2008, he endorsed former Senate President Manny Villar. A few months later, he signified support for Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro. Then during the Kaamulan Festival 2009 celebration, he called Senator Loren Legarda as “Madame President.” And then just a few weeks ago, during Teodoro’s “carnival-themed” birthday party, Zubiri declared support for Gibo. Yes, it’s THAT confusing so I cannot blame you if you’d blurt out, “ano ba talaga kuya?!” You could just imagine the confusion of Zubiri’s allies in the province as well. If your leader changes his mind as often as he changes his clothes, what will you think, right?
And so there have been talks that many of Zubiri’s political allies in the province are slowly “leaving” his fold. Observers say that not a few mayors, councilors and provincial board members are already keeping their distance.
Is this why the cabinet meeting has to be held in Bukidnon? For the Zubiris to show everyone that they’re still near and dear to the President’s heart?
I can’t help but wonder how PGMA will treat the governor. Will she smile at him? Hug him? Endorse him? A LOT of eyes will be on them today, after all.
To be fair, reports did say that PGMA is also supposed to lead the groundbreaking ceremonies of the Provincial Road Management Project in Barangay Kalabugao, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon. The said project is funded by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). Still, one can’t help but wonder why a cabinet meeting has to be called in Malaybalay City.
My only hope is that somehow during the course of the meeting, something can be done about the ongoing Mangima Road repair and rehabilitation project which has caused (and still is causing!) so much inconvenience for the riding public.
The cabinet meeting will reportedly be held at the Northern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center (NOMIARC) in Barangay Dalwangan, Malaybalay City.
This is one instance when I want to be a fly on the wall!
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Zubiri and Acosta, enemies yesterday, friends today and tomorrow?
November 10, 2009
Bukidnon, Commentary, Controversial, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Personalities, Politics, Weird, northern mindanao
2 comments
Ang politics nga naman! Mindanaoan was a bit shocked – nay, very, very shocked – when I found out that last-termer Bukidnon Gov. Jose Ma. Zubiri, Jr. and political archrival JR Nereus “Neric” Acosta MAY soon sing sweet music together. This, after Zubiri is reportedly eyeing a “transfer” to the Liberal Party from LAKAS-CMD-KAMPI. Acosta will run for Senator under the LP.
What’s so interesting about this is that these former political allies have burned a lot of bridges over the years and have become bitter political enemies. Zubiri has accused Acosta of graft and corruption. Acosta, on the other hand, tried to run for Bukidnon governor in the last elections but lost to Zubiri by a very large margin. From mudslinging to accusations of one trying to kill the other to one trying to discredit the other, you can say that the Zubiris and the Acostas have been, are and most probably will still be bitter enemies. To even see them in one place can probably be the biggest news for the day in Bukidnon. However, with Zubiri reportedly transferring allegiance to Noynoy and Mar, should we now call these two FRENEMIES?
Interestingly, Zubiri reportedly led a 3-day caucus in the Province of Bukidnon, Mindanao recently and during the mock polls, Liberal Party bets Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas gained the most votes among Bukidnon mayors, vice mayors, councilors and barangay captains. Because of the result, Zubiri now has reportedly urged the local leaders to pledge allegiance to Noynoy and Mar and ultimately to the LP.
As of press time, talks of an induction in Bukidnon are spreading like wildfire.
Interestingly, too, Zubiri has now accused President Gloria Arroyo’s party, LAKAS-CMD-KAMPI, of not being “supportive” of the provinces that have delivered votes for her in the last election. Zubiri said that PGMA’s party has neglected the provinces that have helped her win before. Of course, we can assume that Zubiri wanted to remind the president that he busted his ass campaigning for her in Bukidnon during the last elections and yet Bukidnon (or probably him) hasn’t been generously rewarded.
Another thing that we should also take note of — Zubiri’s son, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri is an official of LAKAS-CMD. Does this mean that Migs will also soon leave PGMA’s side and follow his dad’s transfer to the LP?