Very few have heard of the name of Carmen “Mai” Mislang until a few days ago. Now, she’s famous. Or infamous, if you need to be more politically correct. Mislang holds the title Assistant Secretary In President Noynoy Aquino’s Cabinet, is officially a speechwriter and was part of the entourage that went on an official ... (more)
As the last bastion crumbles
Posted on October 26, 2010 · 48 Comments
Much as I’d like to write about something — anything — else, I can’t seem to do it. I had a birthday party over the weekend and we talked about the plagiarism in the Supreme Court scandal. I go to Facebook and we talk about the same thing. Online and offline, the topic stays the ... (more)
Twisted brotherhood and power play
Posted on October 21, 2010 · 48 Comments
In the legal profession, colleagues protect their own and those who don’t play the game should stay out. I learned that the hard way when I was a practicing lawyer. I refused to manufacture evidence to save the ass of a colleague and, in the end, I had to resign. Not because I was in ... (more)
Mandatory drug and alcohol tests for government officials
Posted on October 13, 2010 · 28 Comments
Rep. Jules Ledesma has been accused of drug abuse and homosexuality. His sexuality won’t affect is effectiveness as a public official but drug abuse is another issue altogether. In this video, he was asked about both issues. His response to the drug abuse allegations: “Hindi naman…” Watch the video and observe his demeanor. This page ... (more)
Trillanes amnesty and other shockers
Posted on October 12, 2010 · 26 Comments
First of all, an amnesty is not a pardon. You have to be be convicted first before getting pardoned. Erap was pardoned. But this isn’t about Erap. This is about Antonio Trillanes IV and the other soldiers on trial for the Oakwood incident in 2003. For those unfamiliar with the incident, a group of armed ... (more)
Does size really matter?
Posted on October 10, 2010 · 51 Comments
A couple of days ago, I was chatting with a fellow lawyer who was on his last day in Geneva for a conference. The chat that started with Swiss chocolates took a serious and contemplative turn when I said Switzerland sounds like a good place to retire in. Stable economy, neutral politics, efficient government and ... (more)
If the CBCP could earn from condoms, will it support the RH bill?
Posted on October 4, 2010 · 70 Comments
The average churchgoer may not be aware of it but The Vatican owns a very profitable bank called the Institute for Works of Religion or more popularly known as the Vatican Bank. It has been the subject of lawsuits — one accusing the bank of profiting from gold looted by Nazi puppets during World War ... (more)
Carlos Celdran: Machiavellian, no doubt
Posted on October 1, 2010 ·
So, Carlos Celdran of the Intramuros walking tour fame is in jail. Wearing a Jose Rizal costume, he walked up to the church altar during a mass holding a placard that says, “Damaso.” The message is clear. He is calling the Catholic clergy tyrants for its anti-reproductive health bill stance. I agree with Celdran’s message. ... (more)
Pacquiao in training but Congress is not in recess
Posted on September 28, 2010 · 20 Comments
Occasionally, someone would dig up attendance sheets in Congress, make a tally then publicize the names of those who haven’t been working. I did that once, back in 2004 or 2005 during the time of the 13th Congress. I remember having to review the tally thrice because the figures from the Congress website were contained ... (more)
Annulment and bigamy
Posted on September 28, 2010 · 28 Comments
Not to indulge in gossip but, as a lawyer, I don’t get it. If, as their oldest daughter claims and as the wife confirms, “The details of the annulment of Robin Padilla’s marriage to Liezl Sicangco in Australia are now being finalized,” then the marriages of both parties to their new partners are bigamous. And, ... (more)
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