Fifty eight percent of Filipinos in Mindanao believed that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo cheated in the 2004 presidential elections, a survey conducted by Pulse Asia in Mindanao in December last year showed. The same survey released to media Friday showed that 70 percent of those polled believed that because of recurring allegations of election fraud, the credibility of the balloting process in Mindanao was at a record low. [read on]

The Philippine Star today reported that AFP Chief of Staff  Gen. Hermogenes Esperon’s tour of duty has been extended. It could mean bad news or good news. Bad news for his critics especially the ‘jailed’ Magdalo officers as well as those who were implicated in the failed coup attempt last February 2006.  Well, good news to those who are loyal to him as well as to those who bow their heads before GMA.

Esperon is just one of the Garci generals believed to be involved in the alleged massive cheating during the 2004 presidential elections. His fellow generals have been criticizing and have been asking him to tell the truth.  The alleged involvement of the generals in the cheating is just one of the spark plugs of the outcry of the jailed generals and junior military officers — among them was then LtSg. Antonio Trillanes III, now a senator.

Yet another outcry from the former internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Central Mindanao. On Monday, thousands of people coming from different areas in Mindanao gathered in Cotabato City and urged both the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to resume the stalled negotiations.

There was never a good war or a bad peace - Benjamin Franklin

How long shall we wait? Why is it always stalled whenever some major breakthroughs are reached? Personally, I believe that the ‘hawks’ in the government have dipped their fingers on the peace process.  Many wants to live in peace but some want to live in an ‘atmosphere of war.’ War is business, war produce generals.

“We hate war!” - Cotabato peace rally participants
COTABATO CITY (MindaNews/07 January) — An outpouring of frustration and anger marked today’s peace rally at the city plaza here where thousands of people converged to push the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) into resuming their talks and eventually signing a peace agreement. “I am tired of war,” said Bai Misceria Malasalagat who arrived here from Pagalungan, Maguindanao this morning on board a caravan of about 23 trucks. “We have been bakwits (evacuees) for 20 years already.” They are afraid, she said, that in case the talks would collapse, “there will be fighting again and we will suffer.”

What a start for 2008 among ‘presidentiables’ for 2010. Since last week, stories have came out regarding the looming comeback of former president Joseph Estrada into the political arena. But administration officials were quick to shot back at rumors, saying that Erap can no longer run for President as he may violate the Constitution.

This is really very early for these ambitious politicians to express their intentions for 2010 elections. Many possible things could happen anytime. The elections last year and most of all the “Hello Garci” scandal are still fresh in the minds of the Filipinos. And now here comes the 2010 election fantasy? Continue Reading »