V I N C U L A

A FAUSTIAN DEAL?

2011-03-27T23:09:00.001+08:00

It pays to wait--and also to have friends in high places apparently. That is the message I get from the successful evasion by Ping Lacson of his arrest while he awaited the quashal of the arrest warrant and the Information charging him for the Dacer-Corbito murders. All he needed to do was leave the country, cool his heels while there and then return as if nothing had happened. In the meantime

REVILLAME, ET AL.

2011-03-27T23:03:00.002+08:00

Yes, Revillame is a hateful, insensitive, and crass man who simply does not belong in polite company let alone public television. I do not believe in censorship in any form, manner or circumstance but if I were to indulge a hypothetical, he (and one other) would be the best excuse for censorship. He is not however the first and only one to "abuse" children or women on television for the sake

ADHD NATION

2011-02-13T21:57:00.006+08:00

As a nation, we just can't focus on one thing at a time and finish what we're doing. All this controversy that arose out of Angelo Reyes's death and the "taming" of the Senate is just another manifestation of the ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) we have as a nation. We swing from one end to the other, as our mood pleases, and lose track of what needs to be started, done and

THE POVERTY OF WORDS

2011-01-28T13:21:00.008+08:00

Listening to the public hearing called by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to investigate the toxic deal entered into by the Ombudsman and the Special Prosecutor with former AFP Comptroller Carlos F. Garcia, I realized the poverty of the English language in expressing the sense of anger, outrage, and disbelief that I felt while listening to Angelo Reyes, former AFP Chief of Staff and Secretary

NOT IN MY NAME

2011-01-20T08:28:00.003+08:00

The President expressed his reservations about reimposing the death penalty because the judicial system isn't perfect. He used to be for it but has changed his mind. The President is right on this issue and here is why. In People v. Efren Mateo, G.R. Nos. 147678-87, the Supreme Court made a landmark admission that the judicial system isn't perfect and how! Citing cold, hard statistics, the

DOING A PACQUIAO...

2010-12-20T09:33:00.012+08:00

...is what Mark Wahlberg's character Micky Ward does in "The Fighter", one of those really quiet, almost obscure films which really delivers, pardon the pun, a knockout punch. (Note: this film will probably not make it beyond Christmas, so catch it now, especially because from Christmas till the first week of January, we will be besieged again by that farce called The Metro Manila Film Festival;

Alter Egos

2010-10-14T08:58:00.003+08:00

I. The Forest, not the TreeI don't know Mr. Rico E. Puno. I have never met him. I had never heard of him until the day that President Aquino announced his appointment as Undersecretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). In the 100 plus days since that time, however, not only I, but the entire nation and CNN-watching parts of the world, including Hong Kong and China,

"...with a little help from my friends"

2010-09-22T09:02:00.006+08:00

With friends like Rico E. Puno, the President doesn't need Edcel Lagman, Danilo Suarez, Len Horn or even Gloria Arroyo. Puno's doing a great job, all by himself, of alienating and isolating the President and making people doubt the President's resolve to stop jueteng once and for all. Indeed, the President doesn't need enemies with friends like Puno.On Martial Law day 2010, Mr. Puno faced a

IMHO, Part 2

2010-09-02T08:56:00.006+08:00

The President himself cannot be subjected to "clarificatory questioning" before a body he himself created. With due respect to the Justice Secretary and the President's Chief Legal Counsel, the fact-finding body created by the President to investigate the August 23, 2010 Hostage-taking Incident cannot even consider the possibility (as hinted by the Justice Secretary) of calling the President to

IMHO

2010-07-20T08:25:00.004+08:00

In today's verbal shorthand (although at the rate that these things go, this might even be soooo dated already), "IMHO" would be "In My Humble Opinion" (for those who don't pretend to be humble, simply omit the "H"). Ironically, phrases like these very frequently demand the opposite reaction--far from being "humble", a preface such as IMHO would generally be a red flag for "hey, this is

How many !!! does James Cameron Use in a Sentence?

2010-01-04T11:27:00.003+08:00

After watching Avatar, I imagine that he uses a lot of !!!!s in his sentences.After a hibernation of 12 years, the creator of True Lies (the funniest Arnold movie) and the rejuvenator of Terminator (the most romantic Arnold movie) is back and how! Much has been written about Avatar and I won't repeat what they have said here. My personal review of the film consists of only three words: GO!

Here's a question or two for Manny Pacquiao

2009-05-05T16:11:00.001+08:00

Do you really believe you can do something for your country as a politician? Whether it is in Congress, the Senate, or even as Mayor?Let's get real. Congressman or Mayor Pacquiao? Remember Ramon Revilla Sr.? Remember Lito Lapid?I believe that Manny can best serve this nation that is starved for heroes by doing what he does best. He is a boxer, the best there is right now, probably among the best

No Doubt

2009-01-30T09:56:00.004+08:00

It is one of the best I've seen and I say this not only because I'm a fan of Philip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep.John Patrick Shanley's "Doubt" does not disappoint. Hoffman, Amy Adams and Meryl Streep are brilliant--each is the foil to the other. Adams as the caring and compassionate teacher who starts to doubt Seymour Hoffman's intentions as regards a boy in her class and informs Streep of

Foot in Mouth Disease, Part 2

2009-01-22T11:39:00.005+08:00

"First of all, our President is ahead of Obama and probably, I would think that if there's anything to be learned, it should be President Obama learning from President Arroyo." These words came from Eduardo Ermita, the Executive Secretary to Gloria Arroyo (to push the analogy a little further, the country's Rahm Emmanuel).I had to replay it quickly in my mind when I heard it because I couldn't

B for the first part, B+ for the middle and A for the wind up. . .

2009-01-21T08:37:00.004+08:00

... would be the scores I would give the 44th President's Inaugural speech (cnn link here)Unlike the campaign speeches, the tone was sober--at times, even somber--but the speech itself was filled with hope. As called for by the occasion, it had greater gravitas as befitted his new stature as the 44th President of the world's only superpower. Many have said it was long on eloquence, short on

Sometimes People Just Need Inspiration

2009-01-20T09:48:00.004+08:00

The 44th President of the only super power has aged since winning the election in November 2008. You see that in his face quite clearly. The weight of the world, literally, is now on his shoulders; add to that Dubya's dubious legacy of two wars without an exit plan, a recession and a country divided--not only along blue and red lines but also by cynicism, pessimism and seeming

The Eloquence of Silence

2009-01-14T08:19:00.000+08:00

From my Trial Techniques blog:Rule 130, sec. 32 of the Rules on Evidence provides that "an act or declaration made in the presence and within the hearing or observation of a party who does or says nothing when the act or declaration is such as naturally to call for action or comment if not true, and when proper and possible for him to do so, may be given in evidence against him." This admission

Judicial Touch Move?

2009-01-13T14:38:00.004+08:00

In 1990, retired Supreme Court Justice Abraham F. Sarmiento, in Misolas v. Panga, G.R. No. 83341, wrote:"It perplexes me why this dissent should first of all merit what appears to be repartees from the majority. I am but casting a contrary vote, which, after all, is in performance of a constitutional duty.I am also concerned at how this case has journeyed from ponente to ponente and opinion to

Sounds greek to me, again

2009-01-13T09:51:00.002+08:00

Some of the greek names that appeared in news stories the past months:UtopiaAlpha Phi BetaUpsilon Sigma PhiSigma Rho1. Utopia is the fraternity that is common to Felisberto Verano and Ricardo Blancaflor. (Reference: PDEA-DOJ-ALABANG 3 controversy). 2. Alpha Phi Beta is the fraternity common to Chief Justice Reynato Puno, Senior Associate Justice Leonardo Quisumbing, Lyceum Law School Dean

Strategic Dismembering

2009-01-13T09:40:00.002+08:00

It is as if someone took a really dull knife and starting hacking away at parts of one's body--not to kill but to maim, perhaps temporarily but hopefully permanently. That is how I feel when I read and hear the news stories about the way that institutions in this country are being dismembered.The kennel (este the House of Representatives) came first. The coup d'etat that replaced Jose De

No Joking Matter

2009-01-09T09:31:00.001+08:00

Comedian Tito Sotto, Chair of the Dangerous Drugs Board, is asking for the death penalty for drugs. The problem with putting comedians in public office is that they start to think their jokes can actually become policy.The proliferation of drugs in the country is a serious matter and should not be left to comedians--bad ones at that (if you don't believe me, watch Iskul Bukol: The Reunion). The

1/3 isnt too bad

2009-01-05T16:31:00.003+08:00

In the tenth installment of "Shake, Rattle and Roll", only the one with Marian Rivera as an Enkanto killer works. It is whimsical, light, fun and funny. Marian Rivera is definitely one of the prettiest faces around but in the third installment, she shows great comic timing. She's no Tina Fey but her installment does save "Shake Rattle and Roll X."

The worst film showing during the MMFF2008 . . .

2009-01-05T15:50:00.004+08:00

. . . was without a doubt that poorly disguised campaign video of Bayani Fernando "not campaigning" to be President. I caught some bad movies during the MMFF 2008 but Bayani's--short as it was--was without a doubt the worst. And I'm talking about going up against Iskul Bukol as well as Tanging Ina.Someone should tell him that he does not have a face for tv nor a voice for radio. So he should

The politics of sorry and the apologetics of forgiveness

2008-12-24T11:26:00.000+08:00

A former Vice President and current Malacanang occupant once said, "I am sorry", but she obviously didn't mean it.A current Senator and Malacanang hopeful more recently said, "I am NOT sorry" and he obviously meant it.A former President and icon of confused democracy more recently said, "I am sorry" or words to that effect, but no one knows for sure whether she meant it.Another former President

Two to watch out for in May 2009

2008-12-22T00:00:00.001+08:00

On May 1, 2009On May 8, 2009

No sophomore jinx

2008-11-13T12:48:00.002+08:00

I raved about his first foray as Bond (click here) and did not really expect that he could top Casino Royale. But Daniel Craig has done it--come up with a Bond that's even better than his first time out in Casino Royale.Despite the unwieldy title, "Quantum of Solace" comes across as one of the best Bond films made--ever, and it is largely because of Daniel Craig.While Sean Connery is still the

The First

2008-10-08T09:15:00.002+08:00

"While victims of enforced disappearances are separated from the rest of the world behind secret walls, they are not separated from the constitutional protection of their basic rights. The constitution is an overarching sky that covers all in its protection. The case at bar involves the rights to life, liberty and security in the first petition for a writ of amparo filed before this Court."

Septembers at Taft

2008-10-02T08:55:00.002+08:00

You will recognize an old-er lawyer when s/he invariably shakes his/her head at the organized chaos that is the Bar Ops and mutters soto voce but almost enviously, "we never had this before."For one that prides itself on not being bar-oriented, UP has jumped wholeheartedly on to the bandwagon that is the Bar Ops. While there are many mixed feelings about this from all quarters, one thing must be

Taking the Bar and Trying Cases

2008-10-02T08:49:00.003+08:00

Here's something I wrote in my other blog.

Actively Indifferent to all but to God

2008-09-24T08:41:00.003+08:00

Proverbs 30:7-9 (RSV)-"Two things I ask of thee; deny them not to me before I die:Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches;feed me with the food that is needful for me,lest I be full and deny thee, and say, 'Who is the Lord?'or lest I be poor, and steal, and profane the name of my God."

4, not 1

2008-09-01T06:32:00.001+08:00

Because of Ely's heart attack, most of the focus has been on him. Understandable but not entirely fair because the Eraserheads is a four-man act. 4, not 1.And so, before I shut up about the 'Heads, I just have to say that the 15-song set would not have rocked as much had not Raimund, Buddy and Marcus played their hearts out as well. They have definitely matured as instrumentalists, given the

The Stunned Silence

2008-08-31T18:38:00.001+08:00

I agree with Angelo in his blog post--if the news that there would be no second set had happened in any other concert with any other group, there would have been blood--literally. I agree with the respect, the love, the crowd had for the group, and for Ely. I was so amazed at how the multitude took the news that Ely was rushed to the hospital and would not be coming back on stage that night.

ultraelectromagnetic-everything!!!

2008-08-31T18:28:00.001+08:00

I was asked why I didn't write a review of the concert (what concert? where have you been hiding?). I answered, I am too much a fan to write a fair review.But if you insist on a review, look at the title of this post.If still not satisfied, pick up a thesaurus and go to "spectacular", "amazing", "awesome", "magnificent", "excellent" and write down all the synonyms (spaces are optional).If you

The Green Tag

2008-08-31T18:20:00.001+08:00

This is the tag I got that entitled me to a spot of earth--there were no seats anywhere--at the open field of The Fort, VIP section. Before my ego could inflate, I noticed that there was another section, SVIP, and because there was nothing to indicate what S meant, we speculated that it was "Special" or "Spectacular. That led us to wondering whether there was another SMVIP or "Super Mega VIP"

Ely's unfinished symphonies

2008-08-30T21:54:00.001+08:00

It was the one everyone was waiting for. It took ages to organize and it seemed like ages before we got in and even longer before the concert started. But when it did--with the fab four appearing seemingly from thin air--with Alapaap, the decibel level at the open field went from deafening to ear-drum shattering. Raimund was right--the band was cooking. They sounded better than ever. Ely's voice

new blog

2008-08-12T18:47:00.002+08:00

I decided to make life more interesting by putting up a new blog (in addition to this one on blogspot, Vincula on multiply, The Grand Manner also on blogspot) which will be dedicated to two things I love doing--teaching and trying cases. The new blog is called Vinculum Juris (http://legalties.blogspot.com) which can be accessed by clicking here.Will try to make it current and interesting, within

para kay skaterboy

2008-08-10T04:53:00.001+08:00

maraming salamat at pinaunlakan mo ako. maraming salamat sa mga binigay mong "tips" kung ano ang daan para masakatuparan ang ating parehong minimithi--na kayo'y magsama sama uli para sa peyups. hayaan mo't pinagsisikapan kong mapaabot ang mensahe sa tatlo--sana naman ay pumayag sila.

Para sa Masa?

2008-07-27T15:54:00.005+08:00

Para kay Marcus, Raimund, Buddy at Ely,Hindi ninyo ako kilala at hindi tayo kailanman nagkita o pinakilala. Hayaan ninyong ako'y magpapakilala. Ako si Ted, isang masugid na tagahanga ng inyong banda. Hindi kalabisang sabihin ko dito na isa kayo sa kinikilala kong malaki ang impluwensya sa musikang pinipili kong pakinggan at sa mga Pilipinong bandang sinusundan. Hindi pa kayo kasing sikat at

Bastos

2008-06-27T12:43:00.000+08:00

You just cannot buy class. Top Dog of the country's biggest Kennel, Prospero Nograles, may be decked out in Armani suits or what have you, shod in top leather, wearing expensive glasses, with expensive cologne oozing out of every pore, but he just has no class whatsoever. In response to the clamor for Gloria Arroyo to cut short her U.S. trip because of the severe damage inflicted by typhoon "

Reality kicks in

2008-06-21T05:07:00.000+08:00

"The Board of Regents, at its 1233rd meeting held today, approved the appointment of Prof. Theodore O. Te as Vice President for Legal Affairs effective 23 June 2008 to serve at the pleasure of the President."It is now official.So, I "officially" went to the Office of Legal Services (OLS), its current name until it can be changed to Office of the Vice President for Legal Affairs (OVPLA) at the

it is finished...

2008-06-06T15:00:00.000+08:00

...my term as OLA director, that is. I took over in December 2005 and officially turned the directorship over to my replacement earlier today. I had been in denial for some time that this day would come but I am no longer in denial--as the reality of moving out of room 105 is slowly sinking in, with each box of documents and personal stuff being transferred out of room 105 and to my faculty

"i don't know what" in french

2008-06-03T06:02:00.000+08:00

Hadn't heard this in some time but was surprised to hear this the other day in casual conversation -- "je ne sais quoi" (it sounds phonetically to the un-french like "june se kwa"). I had to stop and ask the person I was talking to, "are you french?" to which he answered, "no, but I picked that up in a book I read." When pressed if he knew what it meant, he said (correctly, although I don't

Life Lessons Learned, Grandly

2008-05-27T08:36:00.001+08:00

(A send-off to UP Law Batch 2007-2008, taught in the grand manner, and hopefully to become great lawyers and even greater Filipinos)[NB. Supposed to come out in their Annual, Memorandum '08; first time, the OLA director's been asked to write something there.]While I was still a student at Malcolm Hall, I heard someone say, “you don’t have to love the law to serve the people, but you do have to

dalawang tula

2008-05-10T07:02:00.000+08:00

nahalungkat sa baul ng ala-ala ang una, katha ng walang magawa ang pangalawa. ang una'y inspirasyon para sa pangalawa, bakas sa iisang paksa.dalawang tula, para (pa rin) sa mga nawawala.pasensya na po at mahaba.Ang Una...Ang mga nawawalaJose F. Lacaba (mula sa Kung Baga sa Bigas, Mga Piling Tula;U.P. Press, 2002)Isang araw sila'ynawala na lang at sukat. May hindi pumasok sa opisina,hindi sumipot

...but Samuel L. Jackson is uber, uber cool!

2008-05-04T09:30:00.000+08:00

Now that Omar has blown the lid off the post-end credit scene of Iron Man, I can now write about it. Didn't say anything about it in the previous blog because didn't want it to be a spoiler.BUT, YES, there will be a sequel... and it has Samuel L. Jackson in it as Nick Fury of Supreme Headquarters Intelligence Espionage-Law Enforcement Division or S.H.I.E.L.D. and he ends the movie with this..."

Robert Downey Jr. is the man...

2008-05-02T06:06:00.000+08:00

... the Iron Man! I succumbed to temptation yesterday and went to watch Iron Man, even though I was supposed to work (on Labor Day). . . and, in response to a question, "is it as good as people say it is?", YES!!! I am biased because I've waited sometime for this one but it was worth the wait. Robert Downey Jr. is really one of the BEST actors of his generation--demons and all. He is an

I don't believe in destiny (cable) and I hate sky(cable)

2008-05-02T05:45:00.000+08:00

... because I don't get the NBA anymore! It's the NBA play-offs and things are really getting exciting but because Solar sports is no longer on skycable, I don't get to watch the games anymore. With the schedule I keep, the news (late news) on GMA and CNN, BBC and the NBA on solar sports are practically the only things I get to watch. . . and because sky yanked out the NBA from its line up, I

De-Equilibrized

2008-04-28T16:48:00.000+08:00

Not sure if there is such a word but that's how I felt earlier when I was told that I had to make a decision that would change many things that I had planned in my life. But as with most of the de-equilibrized moments in my life, I remembered Psalm 37:23-24-"The steps of the man are from the Lord, and he establishes him in whose way he delights; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for

A blast from the past... for me, at least

2008-04-18T14:15:00.001+08:00

"I read the news today, oh boy" (credit the Beatles for this line which I shamelessly rip off) and it spoke of the United States Supreme Court ruling 7-2 on the constitutionality of lethal injection as a method of execution for the first time; the landmark ruling is Baze v. Rees, involving a capital case from Kentucky. (Read the link to an AI-US blog, which also posts a link to the decision.)

Intergenerational courtesy and hubris

2008-04-04T12:49:00.004+08:00

I did not land in the top ten when I took the bar in 1990; nor did I land in the top twenty (I know because the first 20 names in our batch were published). That does not make or unmake me, as a lawyer or as a person.My batch did not have the benefit (or stigma?) of having our passing average adjusted upward by means of across-the-board points or having the 75% average required to pass the bar

Weighing in on Brian Gorrell

2008-04-01T13:49:00.000+08:00

You may recognize familiar names in this Newsbreak online article on the Brian Gorrell thingy.

Conspiracy theories and others

2008-03-25T12:49:00.000+08:00

If I were Gloria, and I wanted to hold on to power absolutely until 2010 and shield me from the suits that will come my way in 2010, . . . 1. I would appoint Mercy Gutierrez, the gatekeeper, to the Supreme Court anytime before 2010 and appoint another equally loyal and inept classmate/friend/crony to be Ombudsman in her place; that way, I would have another vote in the Supreme Court and an

9-6

2008-03-25T12:39:00.000+08:00

In a 9-6 vote, the Supreme Court, just a few minutes ago (Tuesday, March 25, 2008, 3:25 thereabouts) granted the petition of Romulo Neri, which sought the invocation of executive privilege in relation to three questions posed by the Senate, in its investigation of the botched 329US$ ZTE-NBN deal. This means that Neri cannot be cited for contempt or arrested by the Senate if he refuses to answer

Thanks, but no thanks.

2008-03-06T04:02:00.000+08:00

1. Gloria throws out EO 464. Thanks, but no thanks. There was nothing to throw out, as the Supreme Court had already removed practically everything there was to this putrid issuance from the dictator's arsenal. It should have been a non-issue except that, as dictators and their henchmen/women go, it was a convenient excuse to hide behind.2. Supreme Court offers a compromise deal to Senate.

It sounds greek to me, again

2008-03-04T05:34:00.000+08:00

It's all the rage now, at least in law school. Everyone's talking about it--the photos in an anonymously-sent link of a crime being perpetrated in the name of brotherhood. Of course, I'm speaking of the hazing photos. One anonymous commentor on my blog asked if I could do something about it. I am flattered and honored that s/he would think I could do anything about it. My position on frats

two from the good old 80s

2008-03-03T05:51:00.001+08:00

Those who experienced martial law and read my blog will recognize these two songs; they may even have sung them and had lives changed because of them. They are not, by any means, the best anthems of protest (there are many) but they were, for a time, the songs of a generation who lived under the heavy onus of a dictatorship. Many lives were changed because of the words of these two songs; I

options

2008-03-01T02:55:00.000+08:00

Gloria will not resign. . . willingly, that is. The shrewd trapo that she is, she will not leave the stage she took from Estrada in 2001 without options to protect her. . . and possibly her husband; I'm not really convinced yet that she wouldn't abandon Mike A if push comes to shove.---------------Many have been asking about options under the Constitution now that Atty. Lozano and that huge

I have no words . . .

2008-02-21T07:50:00.000+08:00

. . . to describe just how disappointing it is that some faculty members (I won't name names here because my source will get into trouble) and students of the law school choose to nitpick instead of 1) being constructive or 2) simply getting out of the way. (For perspective, go to Lobit's multiply site for her text exchange presumably with some student who, to her credit, she does not identify;

unmarketable, unbelievable

2008-02-19T09:36:00.003+08:00

Many things have been said about Jun Lozada, or J Lo as Chel puts it in sms shorthand, but one thing nonetheless strikes me about this whole affair--the extent to which the palace spinmeisters have gone on overdrive. Haven't they heard of the adage, "where there's smoke, there's fire?" They're the ones fanning the flames by their lame denials and spin.Two things should have been immediate in

Adjectives

2008-02-12T10:52:00.000+08:00

1. Pathetic is how I would describe Sergio Apostol's attempt at a witty riposte to Jun Lozada's emotion-filled revelations ("They say he's a probinsyanong intsik. Bagay sa 'yo i-deport ka. Magulo ka dito.). For crying out loud, he's Gloria Arroyo's Chief Legal Adviser. He should know that you can't deport a filipino citizen even if that person claims chinese lineage.Now, who's causing trouble?

Zamora's Pox

2008-02-05T08:17:00.000+08:00

Kennel News.One good thing that came out of the nominal voting last night and early morning on the replacement of JDV as speaker with the favored pup, Nograles, was that I got to listen to the oratory of some of those who bothered to explain their votes. Annie Susano of QC was totally a wreck, as in, you could not understand a thing she was saying. Erin Tanada at least tried to explain why he

"How much are those doggies in the window?"

2008-02-05T08:04:00.000+08:00

I did not want to dignify the travesty perpetuated by the Arroyos in the House--Mikey and Dato, in collaboration with their uncle Iggy and their parents, Mike and Gloria, and of course let's not forget the always righteously indignant Luli--simply because JDV is not my favorite person. He ranks just slightly lower than Gloria, who ranks lower than athlete's foot, which is tied with diarrhea, in

Mendiola

2008-01-21T14:38:00.000+08:00

Nakapanlulumo.Ang pagkitil ng kalayaan sa paanan ng tulay na ngayo'y ipinangalan sa isang dakilang mandirigma para sa kalayaan peronoo'y kilala lamang sa isang salita--Mendiola.Nakakagalit!Ang walang patumanggang karahasanna sumalubong sa daan-daang magbubukid na nagmartsa patungo sa paanan ng tulay na noo'y kilala lamangsa isang pangalan--Mendiola.Nakakaiyak.Ang daan-daang sugatan at ang13 patay

Deleting history

2008-01-21T14:10:00.001+08:00

Seen on a shirt: "Itanong mo sa akin ano ang maganda sa Pilipinas?" (front) "Gloria, resign!" (back)---------------Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo says now that there is no reason to celebrate EDSA Dos and orders that no celebrations be held because she wants to heal the hurts. Just like that. EDSA Dos officially enters the dustbin of history.Never mind that it was actually the first successful coup

Questions I find myself asking . . .

2008-01-15T18:55:00.000+08:00

1. What do you call an ELEVATOR when it is going down?2. What do you call an ESCALATOR when it is going down?3. If you only have one leg, do you wear PANT or still pants?4. If you only have one eye, do you wear A GLASS or still glasses?5. If there is only one item, is it NEW or still news?Wala lang, naisip ko lang.

Fr. Honti, S.J.

2008-01-15T11:07:00.000+08:00

Good news travels fast, bad news even faster.While at a meeting, I got texts trying to confirm if it was true that Fr. Eddie Hontiveros, S.J., Father of Philippine Liturgical Music, passed away today. I replied that I hadn't heard; since there was wifi at the place, I did what I usually do when I need news--google. I managed to confirm that, yes, Fr. Hontiveros had passed away. Here is the

Kulang Kung Wala Sila

2008-01-10T04:25:00.000+08:00

UP kicked off its centennial celebration on January 8 with a 100-torch relay (that's including Richard Gomez) led by a 100 year old engineer (who sounds less senile than a lot of younger alumni and who displays a great wit and sense of humor in thinking that he could hook up with his classmates; LOL), sky divers, 100 kwitis salute, bogas thundering, the lighting of 100 acacia trees and the

Giving 5.0s (a reply of sorts to Jobert Navallo)

2008-01-08T10:49:00.000+08:00

A former student of mine (Crim Law 1, first year) Jobert Navallo blogged about this in his blog (and it was reprinted in PDI's Youngblood today); this, referring to getting a failing grade in law school. The big five dot zero.I read Jobert's post with great interest because, of course, I know him--having been his professor in crim law--and also because it was a brave post--because the professor

shake rattle and laugh your head off

2008-01-03T07:58:00.000+08:00

Every year, I try to catch one (or more) of the films in the annual (and mandatory) Metro Manila Film Festival. My pick is usually the quirkiest, the fun-nest (not necessarily the funniest) or arguably the best of the lot. If an Enteng Kabisote is around, I usually go for that--not because I'm a big fan of Vic Sotto but because he makes one movie a year and he usually prepares for it well.

Half and Half doesn't mean a whole lot of anything

2008-01-02T15:47:00.000+08:00

Rufus Rodriguez, the spokesperson of Erap, shoots his mouth off about Erap seeking the Presidency and says that he (Erap) is contemplating a term-sharing scheme with whoever it is who will be his Vice President. The premise is that Erap lost three (3) years of his original term and therefore he is only trying to get back his lost three (3) years--if you believe that, I have a bridge (two

Is there no one else?

2008-01-02T15:32:00.000+08:00

Erap contemplates running for President again in 2010; to this, the FVR side says, if Erap runs, FVR will be "asked" to run again.I have nothing against old people; I am on record that Jovito R. Salonga is the best President we never had and he's an old man. But, is there really no one else?Are we so bereft of talented and gifted and committed leaders that we have to have these two old men run

New Year's SMS

2008-01-01T07:47:00.000+08:00

It has not only become ritual but also commerce--the texting of greetings during special and festive events like Christmas and New Year's Eve and Day. Every year, my inbox is filled with many and varied greetings--some of which are recycled (how do I know? because I get them back. I even got back a text message I composed last night ) and some of them original.One of the best--if only because

For T. Mena

2007-12-26T05:41:00.000+08:00

On December 17, 2007, I lost someone very dear to me. She was the mother of a very good friend from law school; much later on, the entire family would become part of me, literally. On many occasions, she was literally like a mother to me (and to my classmates because many of us spent much time at her house) During her funeral mass, I had wanted to volunteer to say a few words but I knew that I

A King has Come!

2007-12-24T19:57:00.000+08:00

Isaiah 9:2b, 6: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them a light has shined. .. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder and His Name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."Luke 2:10-11: "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring

Musings on Eternity, Waiting and Hope

2007-12-12T07:58:00.000+08:00

In this very short season of Advent, amidst all the preparations for Christmas, some passages to help us keep things in perspective as we wait for the coming of the King:Psalm 39[1] I said, "I will guard my ways,that I may not sin with my tongue;I will bridle my mouth, so long as the wicked are in my presence."[2] I was dumb and silent;I held my peace to no avail;my distress grew worse,[3] my

crossing the line

2007-12-06T13:52:00.000+08:00

Much has been said about the pros and cons of the warrantless arrests made by the PNP NCRPO and SAF of the media members and support crew during the Pen caper.The PNP has said that the warrantless arrests were justified because: 1. they could not determine whether the media members were indeed from media because some Magdalo members were posing as media (right, as if Sonny Trillanes could look

11 Ways to Make the Empress Smile (An allegory in real time and in real life)

2007-11-30T10:06:00.000+08:00

(Note: This is intended to be ironic, not literal. If you cannot appreciate irony, look the word up first before reading any further)1. Stage a walk-out during your own trial for taking over a posh condotel by kidnapping your own witness with the aid of your armed and unarmed escorts. Make sure to look heroic, in the best traditions of Gringo Honasan, while doing so.2. After yay walk-out,

Perspective 5 (An Open Letter)

2007-11-28T10:46:00.000+08:00

My God knows me too well; after all, He created me, He knows my heart and its ways. (Ps. 139)Right after my last post, I left for a hearing. On the way there, I heard Him clearly and it was all I could do to not hit the car in front of me."The tongue is like a fire." I had to pull over and pray.In the past days, I've blogged about something that has been much debated, much discussed and much

Holier than Thou (Their title, not mine)

2007-11-28T06:17:00.000+08:00

This is the response to my post (see "Ingratitude. In Gratitude") from Harry, Florin, Barry, Prof. Pangalangan, Former Dean Pangalangan, Former Dean Magallona, Former Dean Carale, Danny Concepcion, Professor Labitag, Professor Sison (some of those mentioned as having signed the statement posted; the two Profs. Disini, JJ and Domingo, did not sign).It is not my intention to reply point for

Ingratitude. In Gratitude.

2007-11-25T17:46:00.000+08:00

Note: Not for the faint of heart, this contains strong language.After 30 or so years of service, many people retire with gold watches, a plaque, honor and acclaim of peers; the luckier ones retire with a hefty check. Salvador T. Carlota, Dean of Malcolm Hall from 2005 and Professor of Law, will retire on his birthday this December not with a gold watch, not with a plaque, not with a hefty

The Legal Equivalent of the Kitchen Sink

2007-11-20T15:04:00.000+08:00

In my line of work, I had to learn early on to take whatever victories I get and manage to learn to roll with the punches, learn from the losses and try not to get too embarrassed from my galactically stupid mistakes.A friend of mine told me that I am the lawyer's equivalent of St. Jude; if you know what he is patron saint of, you might catch the analogy. I didn't know what to think then but

Perspective 4

2007-11-10T08:02:00.000+08:00

Here's something from my brother in Lingkod, Marlon, A compsci grad and IT professional who writes poetry, takes great pictures and is all out for God. It puts everything--well, many things--in perspective, really. PARA SA DALAGITANG NAGPAKAMATAY NOONG NOVEMBER 2A 12-year-old girl, who became despondent over her family’s poverty, hanged herself inside their makeshift house a day after her

Politics as Usual, in the Grand Manner

2007-11-10T07:37:00.000+08:00

I have blogged about how I feel about the current Dean of the law school, Salvador Carlota. He is a conservative in many ways--his ideas, his ways of doing things, even his vision for law school. As a liberal in many ways, I seriously did not think that I would ever find life serving with and under him. To my surprise, I did.While my vision of law school and legal education and even life and

Perspective 3

2007-11-05T19:04:00.000+08:00

At the start of a new semester of law school (and for the underbars out there, the first day of work for many), let me give some space to Alan Dershowitz (Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law at Harvard, also a litigator, columnist, lecturer and prolific author; he has been counsel for the accused in many high profile cases in the U.S.) who, in Letters to a Young Lawyer writes this interesting and

Perspective 2

2007-11-03T06:23:00.000+08:00

From one of my favorite psalms.Psalm 94:18-19 - "When I thought, 'my foot slips,' Thy steadfast love, O Lord, held me up.When the cares of my heart are many,Thy consolation cheers my soul."Many times, it just takes the Word to give one real perspective.

Perspective

2007-10-31T10:33:00.000+08:00

I've been gone (from Manila) for about 1.5 weeks and things get exciting--explosions at the mall and a pardon for a plunderer. Wow, maybe I really should get out more. Seriously, when the Erap pardon first came out, I was just about to prepare for a retreat and all of a sudden, I get this deluge of sms from irate friends cussing in all shades of blue (many of them female). Many asked me why,

UE, Gone!

2007-10-08T13:37:00.000+08:00

It took just two games to erase 14. The UE warriors won 14 straight games in a sweep of the two rounds of elimination in the just-concluded UAAP men's basketball tournament including a sweep of La Salle. But they lost the only two games that mattered--the last two in the only sweep that truly mattered, in the end. And for all the ribbing I've been dishing out in this blog (and over texts to

Go UE!

2007-10-01T10:28:00.000+08:00

That was the reaction of one of my friends, diehard blue eagle that he is, last night after the Ateneo loss to La Salle. I had texted him to condole with him after the loss, knowing that he would be at the Araneta Coliseum screaming his head off and egging his beloved blue eagles on, and was afraid that he would take it badly (one time during a particularly bad loss to La Salle, he was

Lives resume, never to be the same again

2007-09-24T14:53:00.000+08:00

As the beating of the snare drums dies down, and the last barricade removed, Taft becomes normal again, signalling the end of the Bar Examinations of 2007. Far from going back to normal, lives are resumed but are changed--never more to be the same again. 4 years of law school does not prepare you for the 5 months of review and the one month of last-minute preparation to take the 8 exams

"The voice of one crying in the wilderness. . ." (Matthew 3:3)

2007-09-15T10:07:00.000+08:00

Jovito R. Salonga, the Best President we never had, Senate President, Senator, Patriot, Nationalist, Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, Political Detainee, War Veteran, U.P. Lawyer and Bar Topnotcher--moral force, man of God and Sigma Rhoan no more. The newspapers today speak of a real man standing for his principles and standing by his word, even when it is unpopular, even when it goes against the grain,

A Primer (of sorts) on The Hazing Law (RA 8049)

2007-09-13T08:18:00.000+08:00

For a more constructive debate and a clearer idea of what the Hazing Law can do or cannot do -- Q. How is hazing defined? A. As used in the law, hazing is an initiation rite or practice used as a prerequisite for admission into membership in a fraternity, sorority, or organization. (sec. 1) Q. How is it done? A. Under RA 8049, the essence of hazing is "placing the recruit, neophyte, or

Frat Free

2007-09-11T19:40:00.000+08:00

Someone asked me why I hate frats and fratmen so much? He speculated quite baldly that I may have been a quitter. Over my loud guffaws, I told him that I was never a neophyte and never intended to join a fraternity as I did not need it (that was way back in law school and events after law school have borne out that I am doing fine without frats, thank you very much). I once asked a fratman who

The blood of brothers

2007-09-10T19:03:00.000+08:00

I have written on this before and it gives no pleasure to write again on this. But another son, brother, person, human being has been killed by a fraternity: Chris Mendez by Sigma Rho. Never mind that there is no official acknowledgement by Sigma Rho; its silence on this matter speaks more eloquently than any official confession.I have been reading many of my students' blogs on this latest

Ang mamatay nang dahil sa 'yo, ang pinatay nang dahil sa wala

2007-09-10T18:57:00.000+08:00

Note to the faint of heart: I am angry; no, I am enraged. The words that will follow are angry words. If you are looking for nice, peaceful and sweet-sounding words, skip this one. But if you are as enraged as I am, read on and participate. Note to those who will take the other side: I welcome constructive debate from people who are willing to put their names where their thoughts are. For

From the greatest book of all time ---

2007-08-10T14:49:00.000+08:00

When you've given all that you feel you're capable of giving and you feel it's still not enough or not appreciated enough or the times you feel you're at the end of your rope and you need that extra push to put one foot in front of the other (and no amount of Red Bull or extra Joss can help), these lines from the greatest Book of all time help a great deal.1 Timothy 6:11-16 (ESV)"(11) But as for

Pottermania

2007-07-24T21:58:00.000+08:00

HP AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: ENDING WELL.After six books and practically allowing Harry Potter to grow up before readers' eyes, it almost became anti-climactic that the books would end; of course, everyone knew, from the start, that there would only be 7 books but knowing it and realizing that you were holding the last book in your hands were two different things altogether.JK Rowling has grown

Einstein and the Environment

2007-07-07T08:29:00.000+08:00

Let's take it from Einstein and do our bit to stop climate change. From Greenpeace:

Luke 10:25-37 (ESV): "You go, and do likewise."

2007-07-02T08:32:00.000+08:00

One of the many things associated with being a trial lawyer is questions. Lawyers are trained to question, to think in questions, to ask questions; in one of the classes I teach, I stress this over and over again -- that the essence of a good trial lawyer is being able to ask good questions.In Luke 10:25-37, Jesus is confronted by a lawyer with two questions: first, "what shall I do to inherit

"From strength to strength"

2007-06-26T11:51:00.000+08:00

Recent post in Newsbreak on the Chief Justice's public pronouncements. Read here.

He reigns!

2007-06-15T18:26:00.000+08:00

There are some songs that just blow you away. When I heard this one sometime back, it did.The Newsboys, He Reigns.