DOWN THE DRAIN
Alexander Martin Remollino
A fortune most will not amass
even after spending P10 million
on lottery tickets... READ FULL POEM
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
HINDI NALUMPO ANG IYONG PANININDIGAN
Alexander Martin Remollino
(sa alaala ni Rogelio "Ka Mamay" Galit, lider-magsasaka sa Cavite, 1957-2010)
Sa iyong mga huling araw,
tila ka iginapos sa luklukang may gulong... BASAHIN ANG BUONG TULA
Alexander Martin Remollino
(sa alaala ni Rogelio "Ka Mamay" Galit, lider-magsasaka sa Cavite, 1957-2010)
Sa iyong mga huling araw,
tila ka iginapos sa luklukang may gulong... BASAHIN ANG BUONG TULA
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
TINITIBAG ANG MGA PANANDANG-BATO SA ATING DINAANAN
Alexander Martin Remollino
Hindi lang ang di-paglingon sa pinanggalingan
ang dahilan ng ating kabiguang
makarating sa paroroonan... BASAHIN ANG BUONG TULA
Alexander Martin Remollino
Hindi lang ang di-paglingon sa pinanggalingan
ang dahilan ng ating kabiguang
makarating sa paroroonan... BASAHIN ANG BUONG TULA
Monday, June 07, 2010
NOYNOY AND HACIENDA LUISITA: A MATTER OF DUTY
Alexander Martin Remollino
Now that Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Cojuangco Aquino is inexorably bound for the presidency, it is an opportune time to revisit his varying – sometimes, conflicting – campaign statements and commitments regarding Hacienda Luisita, the 6,453-hectare hacienda in Tarlac of which the Cojuangco clan claims ownership.
Hacienda Luisita, the country's second biggest family-"owned" plantation, will be an acid test for Aquino and how he will position himself on the matter of land reform – a major policy issue affecting some 75 percent of the country's population.
Near the beginning of the national electoral campaign, Noynoy said he is open to talking to his relatives about redistributing Hacienda Luisita. The he claimed there is nothing much he can do about the issue since he "owns" only 4 percent of the hacienda. Then he promised to redistribute it by 2014, the deadline for the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program with Reforms (CARPER) Law. He next said the family does not want to redistribute the land pending the payment of all the landholding's debts. Now he says he is leaving the courts to decide on the matter.
In the first place, it is not a mere option for Noynoy to be "open" to talking to his family about redistributing Hacienda Luisita. How much of the hacienda he really owns is not an issue. The redistribution of the hacienda need not – and should not – wait until 2014. The family can, and should, redistribute the land without passing on the debts to the beneficiaries. And the Hacienda Luisita question, in the final analysis, is not something that Noynoy can just leave to the courts... READ FULL ARTICLE
Alexander Martin Remollino
Now that Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Cojuangco Aquino is inexorably bound for the presidency, it is an opportune time to revisit his varying – sometimes, conflicting – campaign statements and commitments regarding Hacienda Luisita, the 6,453-hectare hacienda in Tarlac of which the Cojuangco clan claims ownership.
Hacienda Luisita, the country's second biggest family-"owned" plantation, will be an acid test for Aquino and how he will position himself on the matter of land reform – a major policy issue affecting some 75 percent of the country's population.
Near the beginning of the national electoral campaign, Noynoy said he is open to talking to his relatives about redistributing Hacienda Luisita. The he claimed there is nothing much he can do about the issue since he "owns" only 4 percent of the hacienda. Then he promised to redistribute it by 2014, the deadline for the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program with Reforms (CARPER) Law. He next said the family does not want to redistribute the land pending the payment of all the landholding's debts. Now he says he is leaving the courts to decide on the matter.
In the first place, it is not a mere option for Noynoy to be "open" to talking to his family about redistributing Hacienda Luisita. How much of the hacienda he really owns is not an issue. The redistribution of the hacienda need not – and should not – wait until 2014. The family can, and should, redistribute the land without passing on the debts to the beneficiaries. And the Hacienda Luisita question, in the final analysis, is not something that Noynoy can just leave to the courts... READ FULL ARTICLE
Sunday, June 06, 2010
Friday, June 04, 2010
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
BEFORE PULLING THE TRIGGER
Alexander Martin Remollino
(in response to the May 31, 2010 attack by US-armed and -funded Israeli forces on an aid flotilla bound for Gaza Strip)
And your soldiers pulled the trigger
on that flotilla... READ FULL POEM
Alexander Martin Remollino
(in response to the May 31, 2010 attack by US-armed and -funded Israeli forces on an aid flotilla bound for Gaza Strip)
And your soldiers pulled the trigger
on that flotilla... READ FULL POEM
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Monday, May 31, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
MARCOSES COME CLOSE TO FULL CIRCLE
Alexander Martin Remollino
With three of them now holding elective posts -– including one senator -– the Marcoses have come close to full circle.
Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the only son of the ousted president, was among the new senators-elect proclaimed last May 15, five days after the country's first automated elections. His mother, Imelda Romualdez-Marcos, is the new representative of Ilocos Norte's second district. His sister, Maria Imelda Josefa “Imee” Marcos, is Ilocos Norte's new governor.
Forced into exile in Hawaii on the heels of the 1986 People Power uprising, the Marcoses were allowed to return in 1991.
This is not the first time since 1992 that any of the remaining Marcoses were able to hold elective offices.
Imelda was elected representative of her native Leyte's first district in 1995.
Bongbong represented Ilocos Norte, his father's home province, from 1992 to 1995. He subsequently served as Ilocos Norte's governor for three terms. In 2007 he was reelected as the province's second-district representative.
Imee was Ilocos Norte's second-district representative from 1998 to 2007.
This, however, is the first time all three of them are holding elective posts at the same time. While it is not quite yet the time for them to sing “Happy Days Are Here Again,” all it would take for a complete reversal of 1986 is for one of them to become president... READ FULL ARTICLE AT PHILIPPINE ONLINE CHRONICLES OR AT LA INDYMEDIA
Alexander Martin Remollino
With three of them now holding elective posts -– including one senator -– the Marcoses have come close to full circle.
Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the only son of the ousted president, was among the new senators-elect proclaimed last May 15, five days after the country's first automated elections. His mother, Imelda Romualdez-Marcos, is the new representative of Ilocos Norte's second district. His sister, Maria Imelda Josefa “Imee” Marcos, is Ilocos Norte's new governor.
Forced into exile in Hawaii on the heels of the 1986 People Power uprising, the Marcoses were allowed to return in 1991.
This is not the first time since 1992 that any of the remaining Marcoses were able to hold elective offices.
Imelda was elected representative of her native Leyte's first district in 1995.
Bongbong represented Ilocos Norte, his father's home province, from 1992 to 1995. He subsequently served as Ilocos Norte's governor for three terms. In 2007 he was reelected as the province's second-district representative.
Imee was Ilocos Norte's second-district representative from 1998 to 2007.
This, however, is the first time all three of them are holding elective posts at the same time. While it is not quite yet the time for them to sing “Happy Days Are Here Again,” all it would take for a complete reversal of 1986 is for one of them to become president... READ FULL ARTICLE AT PHILIPPINE ONLINE CHRONICLES OR AT LA INDYMEDIA
Sunday, May 23, 2010
WONDERLANDS
Alexander Martin Remollino
Alice in Wonderland cries and creates
a sea of tears,
where she swims and meets a Mouse
and other animals.
They later meet on the bank... READ FULL POEM
Alexander Martin Remollino
Alice in Wonderland cries and creates
a sea of tears,
where she swims and meets a Mouse
and other animals.
They later meet on the bank... READ FULL POEM
Friday, May 21, 2010
KA BEL: HUWARANG LIDER NG SAMBAYANAN
Alexander Martin Remollino
Kahapon ang ikalawang anibersaryo ng kamatayan ni Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran.
Noon at ngayon ma’y isang huwaran si Ka Bel sa lahat ng nagnanais na maging lider ng bansa... BASAHIN ANG BUONG ARTIKULO
Alexander Martin Remollino
Kahapon ang ikalawang anibersaryo ng kamatayan ni Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran.
Noon at ngayon ma’y isang huwaran si Ka Bel sa lahat ng nagnanais na maging lider ng bansa... BASAHIN ANG BUONG ARTIKULO
Thursday, May 20, 2010
THE NEW SENATORS-ELECT AND PEOPLE'S ISSUES
Alexander Martin Remollino
The line-up of 12 new senators-elect who will serve until 2016 is now complete. As nationally elected legislators, they will play prominent parts in crafting national policy for the next six years.
What are we to expect from the newly elected senators? A look at their track records, or previous positions on people's issues, and their platforms of government would be instructive.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) had been able to proclaim nine senators-elect last May 15, five days after the country's first automated elections. They are Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Franklin Drilon, Juan Ponce Enrile, Pilar Juliana “Pia” Cayetano, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Ralph Recto, and Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.
Three days later, the Comelec was able to proclaim the remaining three senators -- Sergio “Serge” Osmeña III, Manuel “Lito” Lapid, and Teofisto “TG” Guingona III.
During the run-up to the elections, the Pagbabago! People's Movement for Change -– a group advocating socio-political and economic reforms -– had assessed several of the senatorial candidates based on its People's Criteria, which cover five issues: truth, accountability, and justice; economic progress and the environment; people's welfare; sovereignty, peace, and equality; and love of country. Pagbabago released its findings to the media a week before the elections.
This is an opportune time to review the People's Criteria that Pagbabago put forward and take a look at how the 12 senators-elect weighed against these... READ FULL ARTICLE AT PHILIPPINE ONLINE CHRONICLES OR AT LA INDYMEDIA
Alexander Martin Remollino
The line-up of 12 new senators-elect who will serve until 2016 is now complete. As nationally elected legislators, they will play prominent parts in crafting national policy for the next six years.
What are we to expect from the newly elected senators? A look at their track records, or previous positions on people's issues, and their platforms of government would be instructive.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) had been able to proclaim nine senators-elect last May 15, five days after the country's first automated elections. They are Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Franklin Drilon, Juan Ponce Enrile, Pilar Juliana “Pia” Cayetano, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Ralph Recto, and Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.
Three days later, the Comelec was able to proclaim the remaining three senators -- Sergio “Serge” Osmeña III, Manuel “Lito” Lapid, and Teofisto “TG” Guingona III.
During the run-up to the elections, the Pagbabago! People's Movement for Change -– a group advocating socio-political and economic reforms -– had assessed several of the senatorial candidates based on its People's Criteria, which cover five issues: truth, accountability, and justice; economic progress and the environment; people's welfare; sovereignty, peace, and equality; and love of country. Pagbabago released its findings to the media a week before the elections.
This is an opportune time to review the People's Criteria that Pagbabago put forward and take a look at how the 12 senators-elect weighed against these... READ FULL ARTICLE AT PHILIPPINE ONLINE CHRONICLES OR AT LA INDYMEDIA
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
YOU HAVE REFUSED TO SEAL YOUR LIPS
Alexander Martin Remollino
You have refused to seal your lips --
knowing that each time you tell your tale,
you speak out for all those voices... READ FULL POEM
Alexander Martin Remollino
You have refused to seal your lips --
knowing that each time you tell your tale,
you speak out for all those voices... READ FULL POEM
Monday, May 17, 2010
MCKINLEY DID NOT CIVILIZE THESE ISLANDS
Alexander Martin Remollino
McKinley did not civilize these islands:
their people had just fought fiercely for freedom
when his uniformed beasts
planted the Stars and Stripes on their soil... READ FULL ARTICLE
Alexander Martin Remollino
McKinley did not civilize these islands:
their people had just fought fiercely for freedom
when his uniformed beasts
planted the Stars and Stripes on their soil... READ FULL ARTICLE
Sunday, May 16, 2010
NOTES FOR A POETRY WORKSHOP, BY WAY OF A POEM
Alexander Martin Remollino
A poem is the smallest package
containing the biggest things... READ FULL POEM
Alexander Martin Remollino
A poem is the smallest package
containing the biggest things... READ FULL POEM
Saturday, May 15, 2010
PHILIPPINES: INDEPENDENT AUDIT OF AUTOMATED POLLS URGED
Alexander Martin Remollino
Quezon City -- A group advocating political and socio-economic reforms has called for an independent audit of the May 10 elections, the first automated elections in the Philippines' history.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) had declared the May 10 elections a success, even as it acknowledged the numerous problems that had arisen during election day.
"I'm smiling again," Comelec chairman Jose Melo told reporters in a press conference on Monday. "It was successful. I will add the 'very' part later."
But the Pagbabago! People's Movement for Change has disputed Melo's assessment, citing the Comelec's own admission that there are discrepancies between the electronic election returns and their printed versions. The discrepancies affect some 150,000 voters from 196 precincts in different provinces... READ FULL ARTICLE
Alexander Martin Remollino
Quezon City -- A group advocating political and socio-economic reforms has called for an independent audit of the May 10 elections, the first automated elections in the Philippines' history.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) had declared the May 10 elections a success, even as it acknowledged the numerous problems that had arisen during election day.
"I'm smiling again," Comelec chairman Jose Melo told reporters in a press conference on Monday. "It was successful. I will add the 'very' part later."
But the Pagbabago! People's Movement for Change has disputed Melo's assessment, citing the Comelec's own admission that there are discrepancies between the electronic election returns and their printed versions. The discrepancies affect some 150,000 voters from 196 precincts in different provinces... READ FULL ARTICLE
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