No libel can kill good officials

Sucker puncher

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Vol.IINo.67ISSN2094-4098

September19-25,2011P15.00

By BERTENI TOTO CATALUA CAUSING

HIT THE SMUGGLERS, NOT REPORTERS!

Isko, Jejomar and their dreams!
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EST before new Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon forgets, make no law abridging the freedom of expression, of speech, and of the press. This law covers not only journalists. The Constitution protects all men in our land, even those thou named hao-shiaos. This right is one of the highest in the tier of freedoms, equal to the right to religion: the reason Congress and all other authorities cannot make any rule or law to screen people wanting to exercise the liberty of the press, the reason there is no licensure examination for journalists. Otherwise, that To page 2 is prior restraint!

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Yummy, Yummy Shamcey!

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The agony of public school teachers

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HE day the untouchables died on November 23, 2009 in the town of Ampatuan, the world substantially changed in the minds of Muslims and Christians in the provinces of Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Saranggani, Lanao del Sur, Davao del Sur, and elsewhere in the Philippines. Before going further, let it be made clear that there is no intention of trying to influence the ongoing Ampatuan Massacre Trial.

The day the untouchables died

The first benefit that Filipinos got from it is the inculcation of a new general idea in the minds of Christian Filipinos in so far as Muslim Filipinos are concerned, and in the minds of Muslim Filipinos in so far as Christian Filipinos are concerned. This general idea is this: both Christian and Muslim Filipinos can be united in a cause for justice against criminals who belong to their tribes. Yes, the passion for justice was bolstered in unison among the Muslims not allied with the Ampatuans and the Christians whose hearts were revolting to the

By HERNZ CUARE
most brutal-ever act of political violence. But along with this discovery of the subity, that those who used brutalities in murdering are in effect killing themselves, too.

Brutality backfires in a more brutal way

stantive meaning of The 33 media perjustice came the real- sons massacred on that ization of one more most brutal episode in equally-important real- the life of the Filipino

journalist were some of the untouchables who died. But on the very same day they died another group of untouchables also died, the untouchable Ampatuans. The honor, career and everything the Ampatuan Empire so cherished also died. It was killed by the 33 persons they killed, the journalists. Henceforth, it cannot be fathomed how they can get back their crown now being held by the husband of one of the women they killed. They can never win anymore in any gubernatorial election.

The brutal lesson here is BRUTALITY BACKFIRES IN A MORE BRUTAL WAY. It is premised then that if the hands of time are turned back and the Ampatuans who are being pointed to as the murderers are made to choose between two choices, to kill brutally or be killed brutally, they will choose the latter. Thus, the kingdom collapsed when the 33 journalists were killed without mercy. This is also what is seen by the eyes of a husband of one of
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YARYO Magdalo decided to publish the defense for mediamen charged with two counts of libel by a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) official who contended that the journalists had malice because they did not print his side when they published even without comments the contents of the affidavit of a person claiming that this official got mad over two attache cases of money distributed without his go signal. By the way, is there a rule that requires publication of the side of the parties defamed by a news story? There is none. In respect to the preliminary investigation, the names, places and events were removed to avoid preempting the handling prosecutor. Anyway, the purpose is to educate the readers of one strong

NO LIBEL CAN KILL GOOD OFFICIALS

By BERTENI TOTO CATALUA CAUSING

Vol. II No. 67

Sept.19-25,2011

Hit the smugglers ...

From page 1 If the dull and the ignorant have the right to be heard according to Desiderata, what more for the haoshiaos of thou art? Thy work is collecting the right taxes, not editing, not sifting hao-shiaos among those who present as men of pen. Thy duty is to catch all thieves amongst the smugglers and Customs men: Not to catch the reporters who may have sparked your spark. That is why they call it: Run after the smugglers! and not Run after the reporters! At first the edict of Ruffy came pleasing to the ears. It is because I know there exist men of pen writing for bad living. But thy haoshiaos do not do the beginning, but by Customs mens dirty living and smugglers endless urgings. Ruffy needs not fight reporters he deems hao-shiaos. Else, he will be surprised even the purest of pens in his sight turns out the dirtiest of em all. I begin to see, the first victims are those suspects whose weekly magazines are used for weeklys. But what is the difference between these weeklys on one side and the pens that write for Inquirer, for Philippine Star, for Manila Bulletin, for Manila Times, for the Journal group of newspapers, for Malaya, and for Tribune, or the socalled tabloids on one side?

defense against libel. rism. Also, it is the unbending rule in Nature of newsnewspapering that papers: they dont any story that cannot publish be published imhistory mediately becomes history and there are First, in treating no newspapers that criticisms in newspa- report history. pers, the basic rule of True enough, the prudence and dilinewspapers that cargence for any public ried that affidavits officer should be to contents are the first react with restraint of to publish the claim outrage, keep a thick of bribery to muddle skin, and respond to a highly controverthe news articles by sial murder case. sending his replies Given the nature and evidence of his of newspapering, it replies. means that the only This should be the way for press freerule because it is a dom to flourish is to normal habit of life give allowance for that mistakes cannot mistakes that honbe avoided in daily estly occur in the publications of news- normal processing of papers where the news facts into news essence of the busistories. Precision is ness is freshness in impossible in a quick the news and where span of time needed newspapers are for news stories to be indispensable in any published. democratic country As soon as any because press freenews facts are gathdom is a touchstone ered, the rule is they of democracy. should be published To be scooped out in the first publicaby fellow newspation issue available pers is the biggest with the minimum sin, next to plagiarequirement that efforts should be made to get the sides of the persons who may be affected by the reports. If there was no way to get the side of persons affected, the news MAGDIWANG facts gathered must be published or they PUBLICATIONS become history. Publisher: RONALDO E. RENTA In short, the Editorial: public officials must TOTO C. CAUSING understand how any Editor-In-Chief newspapers thrive to Design & Layout: keep the real meanRONALDO B. HERICO ing and substance Disclaimer: All news articles and opinions expressed by the writers of press freedom or are entirely their own and do not reflect the opinion of the newspapers will die. publisher, the management or the editor of this publication. To wait for the All Rights Reserved: court to proclaim the No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced guilt of public ofnor translated in any language or form for commercial purposes without prior written permission from the publisher ficers will take years and its writers or columnists. before one news

story can get published. In addition, there is no law that requires the taking of the side of the persons mentioned in any news facts before these can be published. Thus, the complainant as a public officer cannot complain if his side was not taken and not published alongside. Earnest effort to get the reaction of affected persons is enough to comply with the rule of impartiality. Officials in side of truth: Honor cannot be destroyed

After all, there would be NO DESTRUCTION OF HONOR that would happen on any officer as a result of the publication of a news story even if his side was not printed. All he needs to do is to ask for the publication of his reactions. No amount of negative publicity can destroy a goodand-gentleman officer. All he needs to counter the negative reports is to publish the truth of his defense. He may seek publication in the very same newspaper that published the negative imputations, or in any other newspapers, or post it on Facebook, Blogspot, Wordpress, or on any other online websites. If the complainant is the one who is truthful in his claim, he should not waste time to cause the publication of his side.

He must be aware, thieves come in many forms. But amongst them, the dirtiest in appearance are the least lethal; the most decent-looking are the deadliest. This is not the issue, Ruffy. It is: How can you stop Customs men from living with smugglers who call themselves businessmen? Take out all the Customs men and place new men. Shocked you will be. You see all reporters, including thy hao-shiaos leaving to find greener pastures elsewhere for a living. Brute it may be, the reality is this: There are hao-shiaos or what they call pseudo-journalists. But they were born out of bad Customs men who make them live. If you take out the bad and replace them with the good, thy hao-shiaos will vanish. Lest you forget, Ruffy, politics thou art to politics returnest. It was not spoken of thy soul. We have yet to see a politician as a man of steel. Any politician is hungry for good public perception even if he

says he has no greed for money. Hunger for good image is hunger for peoples votes. Hunger for votes is hunger for more powers. Hunger for more powers is greed, no less. Lest all men be told: It is not money that is the root of all evil. It is greed. By thou records, Ruffy, there are 400 radio, tv and newspaper reporters, columnists and editors visiting Customs. Thy wonder is those missing vans and cars not seen or written by them. Lest thou be told: many bosses who came before proclaimed the same. They ended up eating their words. Lest thou be told: It is not the letter that killeth! It is the spirit that giveth life! Kung walang korap, walang haoshiao! Kung may matuwid na daan, may baluktot din na daan. He who walks in silence reaches the destination earlier than he who trumpets his coming.

investigation. A comparison of these stories with the affidavit shows Nevertheless, a that THE STORIES scrutiny of the two DO NOT ADD TO news stories verTHE ALLEGAily shows that THE TIONS STATED IN MATTERS INTHE AFFIDAVIT CLUDED IN THE OR DO NOT MAKE BODY OF THE ANY COMMENT STORIES ARE THE THEREON AND VERY CONTENTS THEREFROM. OF THE AFFIDAVIT Now, there is no of a suspect in the issue that the affidamurder of broadcast vit was part of the ofjournalist. ficial proceeding for This affidavit the same preliminary was submitted to investigation that is the Department of not of confidential Justice as OFFICIAL nature. counter-affidavit Thus, this falls in the preliminary within the second Report of official proceedings defense: lack of malice

sub-paragraph of Article 354 of the Revised Penal Code, and as such there is no malice that can be presumed by law. Article 354 states: Art. 354. Requirement for publicity. Every defamatory imputation is presumed to be malicious, even if it be true, if no good intention and justifiable motive for making it is shown, except in the following cases: 1. A private communication made by any person to another
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HE lyrics of the song Too Much Love Will Kill You is not only for reel but also for real. A pretty woman loved too much her handsome husband.

TOO MUCH LOVE WILL KILL YOU

Sept.19-25,2011 Vol. II No. 67

By HERNZ CUARE

She wanted back his embrace after he left her for another woman. She tried so hard to win him back. All her efforts failed. This drove her crazy and pitying herself. She found it was hopeless for a hopeful reunion.

Too much love beclouded her. She lost her reason. She bought a gun. She came to SM North Edsa in Quezon City. Her husband was working there. She slipped past security checks. In front of him she poked

ISULONG MO KAIBIGAN, HUKOM NG MAMAMAYAN!

TUMINGIN ka sa langit, kaibigan. Ang kapal at itim ng ulap. Kung babagsak yan, babaha ng napakalaki, kayang talunin Ondoy man o Pepeng. Gumawa ka na ng paraan. Lumayo ka sa iyong kinatatayuan. Tumakbo ka sa matataas na lugar, doon ka maisasalba. Iyan ang ulap ng korapsyon, ulap ng pagnanakaw, ulap ng mga ninanakaw, ulap ng kawalan ng katarungan, ulap ng kasakiman, ulap ng pandaraya, ulap ng maitim na kapangyarihan. Lumisan ka kaibigan. Isalba mo ang iyong sarili. Hikayatin mo ang iyong kapitbahay, kaibigan at kamaganak. Umakyat kayo sa mataas na lugar, doon kayo lamahok sa galaw ng pagbabago. Lubog na ang ating bayan. Lubog na ang ating mamamayan. Lubog na ang lahat sa atin. Pero nakakatawa pa rin ang mga buwaya. Magisip ka kung kaya pa ba, ang ating bayan maisalba? Akoy may dalang balita, balitang pwedeng magbangon sa atin mula sa putik ng baha, balitang siya lamang ang sagot sa ating mga suliranin, balitang untiunting aayos sa ating lipunan, balitang siyang tanging lutas sa lahat ng ating suliranin. Iyon ay kung ating pakikinggan. Hinihikayat ko kayong pirmahan, itong petisyon para sa kinabukasan, petisyong magbabago ng Konstitusyon, petisyong magpapatayo ng Hukuman ng Mamamayan. Ito ay tinatawag na Trial Jury, ito ay buuin ng mga ordinaryong mamamayan, para hatulan ang nasasakdal kung may sala man, kahit sino pa man. Ang mga ordinaryong mamamayan, ang tunay nilang lakas sa Trial Jury makikita, hindi matatakot kahit sa anong sakuna, hindi matatakot kahit sino pa sila. Ang Trial Jury na aking inaadhika, ay siyang buuin ng magbubukid man o magkakariton, jeepney driver o tricycle driver o padyak driver man, kung saan dala nila ang kapangyarihan, kapangyarihan ng buong sambayanan, laban sa mapang-api maging sino pa man. Ang Trial Jury ay hahatulan, kahit si Mike o Mikey Arroyo man, hahatulan kahit si Ping Lacson, hahatulan kahit si Glorya, hahatulan kahit mayaman man, hahatulan kahit makapangyarihan man. Itong Trial Jury ay buuin ng mga tao, sa listahan ng mga botante sila magmumula, kukunin sila sa pamamagitan ng bunutan, itatago mukha nila at pangalan, para kapakanan nila at ng kanilang pamilya, ay mapapangalagaan, sa anumang pananakot at pananambang, ng mga akusadong may kapangyarihan o kayamanan. Panahon na kaibigan, ating ibangon ang ating bayan, mawala ang mga kurakot at pananakot, sa halip ang mga lingkod bayan ay matatakot, dahil sila ay mahahatulan, kung silay ay magpatuloy na mangungurakot. Panahon na isulong ang malaking pagbabago, para ang ating bayan ay magbabago. Isulong mo kaibigan, ang aking panawagan, na tayong lahat ay lalagda, sa isang petisyong isasabatas, ang pagtatayo ng Trial Jury sa Pilipinas. Idagdag mo pa riyan kaibigan, pagtatayo ng Grand Jury sa ating lipunan, para kunin mula sa kurakot na piskalya o prosekyutor o taga-usig ang kapangyarihan, ang kapangyarihan sa pagsasabi kung sino ang dapat kasuhan, at dinigin sa Hukuman ng Mamamayan. Ang Grand Jury kaibigan, buuin ng mga ordinaryo ring mamamayan, mula sa listahan ng botante sila bubunutin, kanilang pangalan at mukha ay babalutin, para hindi makilala ng sina mang kurakot at mayayaman, para hindi sila mabibili o matatakot magins sino pa man. Ang Grand Jury ang syang maghahatol, ang maghahatol kung sino ang isasakdal, kahit sino pa man bastat may kasalanan, kasalananan sa bayan at mamamayan. At kung meron nang Grand Jury kaibigan, wala kang dapat pangangambahan, sa lahat ng hinahanap mong katarungan, para makasuhan ang sino na dapat kasuhan, maging si Joc-joc Bolante o Mike Arroyo man, maging si Mikey Arroyo o nanay nya man, maging si Merceditas Gutierrez man. Isulong, mo kaibigan. Isulong mo ang Trial Jury, na siyang Hukuman ng Mamamayan. Isulong mo kaibigan. Isulong mo ang Grand Jury, na siyang hahatol na kasuhan at isasakdal ang dapat isasakdal, maging si Gloria Arroyo man, maging si P-Noy man, maging sinuman. Isulong ang Trial Jury! Isulong ang Hukum ng Mamamayan! Isulong ang Grand Jury! Isulong ang Tagausing ng Mamamayan!

the barrel at him. She pulled the trigger. He was gone. She poked the same gun at her head. A young security guard tried to stop her. She instead shot the other man, ending a young mans dream to help his father. It was another story of a crime of passion. Sheila Macapugay, 25, of No. 364 Longos, Pulilan, Bulacan, loved no other man than her husband Abel, 30. Her love for him did not fade although he left her for another woman. For eight months since January 2011, Shiela persevered from the absence of Abel in the comfort of their home. Day and night bitter tears were raining down on her checks. In darkness of her days, she faced a deserted life with tangled mind. She examined herself of where she went wrong in surviving her marriage that was perceived by her family six years ago as one that was made in heaven. On September 15, 2011, Sheila composed herself with determination to win back Abel by hook or by crook. Sheila wrote her last will and testament to her parents, asking them to take care of her five-yearold daughter when she would be gone. Sheila then travelled from home to Quezon City to settle the final score between her and Abel, and to retrieve the love that was left behind. But she was sure of heading to a disaster being determined to end her love and after ending his life if retrieving the lost love turns to naught. It was already 7:30 in the evening when she arrived at SM North EDSA. She immediately proceeded to

the parking basement of the mall to peacefully talk to Abel. Sheila begged to Abel to once more bring sunshine to light up their home and to hear the laughter of their 5-year-old daughter in his embrace. But her pleas were gone with the wind: Abels heart was deaf and dumb. Their talks had increased her ill feelings of having been shortchanged, betrayed and cheated. For her second albeit consolation step of winning little thoughts of Abel, Shiela asked for support for their daughter. He rejected her, reasoning he had no finances to extend his salary, being a promodiser is not enough to survive his newfound love. Their peaceful conversation turned rough. Their love was further buried by misunderstanding. Her love was now twisted by hate. The pain made her crazier, further feeling as being a victim of a crime of love. Outrage besieged Sheila. Crime of Passion With tears on her eyes, with no one to turn to, Sheila opened her bag and pulled out the fatal weapon, a .38 revolver that she bought for P4,000. Without a word, she poked it at him, pulled the trigger, and, bang! Abel slumped to the concrete floor with bullet-hole on his head. The wound drained the power in him. He pleaded, screamed and crawled. When Sheila saw her blooded husband, she poked the barrel of the gun at her temple to end her bitter life as well. But the high heavens seemed not con-

vinced. It was the right tempo to end the life of the main character in the tragic real-life love story. While in the act of ending her life, security guard Ricardo Inamac III who was manning the parking area moved in swiftly and grabbed Shielas hand that held the gun. However, Inamac lost his balance and fell on the ground. Sheila shot him on his back and left thigh. Before she can make another deadly

move, security guard Efren Sangcaya grabbed the gun from Sheila. The victims were brought to Quezon City General Hospital. They both expired. Psychiatrist Bernadette Arcena believes Shiela was not in the right frame of mind when she did the crime. She said it was pathological jealousy that reigned beyond reason. Yes, too much love will kill you in the end.

TOO MUCH LOVE WILL KILL YOU

Im just the pieces of the man I used to be Too many bitter tears are raining down on me Im far away from home And Ive been facing this alone For much too long I feel like no-one ever told the truth to me About growing up and what a struggle it would be In my tangled state of mind Ive been looking back to find Where I went wrong Too much love will kill you If you cant make up your mind Torn between the lover And the love you leave behind Youre headed for disaster cos you never read the signs Too much love will kill you Every time Im just the shadow of the man I used to be And it seems like theres no way out of this for me I used to bring you sunshine Now all I ever do is bring you down How would it be if you were standing in my shoes Cant you see that its impossible to choose No theres no making sense of it Every way I go Im bound to lose Too much love will kill you Just as sure as none at all Itll drain the power thats in you Make you plead and scream and crawl And the pain will make you crazy Youre the victim of your crime Too much love will kill you Every time Too much love will kill you Itll make your life a lie Yes, too much love will kill you And you wont understand why Youd give your life, youd sell your soul But here it comes again Too much love will kill you In the end... In the end.

Vol. II No. 67

Sept.19-25,2011

The agony of public school teachers

THEY sell anything to students for a penny gain. They drown themselves to shark loans for food, shelter and for their childrens education. The teachers are gifted with wisdom of planting the seed of knowledge to children, the countrys future. But it is impossible for the teachers to grow good seedlings when they lack strength to water the field. The teachers should not be only armed with knowledge for there are other needs to satisfy the prowess of teaching. They can teach effectively when their stomach is full; when their family is rightly fed; and when there is enough finances to survive the long days before their monthly pay. But instead of sustaining the needs of teachers, the government is furthering their agony and seemingly not concerned with their daily sufferings. The administration of President Benigno Simeon Noynoy Aquino III, by not stepping first on shoes of the teachers, instead of increasing the allotment for education, limits the funds of public schools. PNoy has done another around. But who are we to judge PNoys wisdom despite being his bosses, an accolade seemingly done in words not in deeds. For the information of the President, let me share a piece of suf-

Hernz quarry
By Hernani Cuare
ferings of our public school teachers. The newly-hired public school teachers have to teach their students without government assistance for three successive months. After three months of teaching, only then they will receive their salary. In three consecutive months, the teachers have to survive their daily needs jeepney fare, food, room rental, and school accessories. In this three-month period, the teachers can only survive by availing all kinds of loan, including 5/6. In surviving their daily fare and other needs, the teachers have resorted to selling peanuts, corn, candies etc. to their students, gaining P10.00 to P50.00 a day. By gaining a cent from their student, the teachers are degraded, but they are left with no choice. The Department of Education or DepEd prohibited the teachers from selling anything to their students, but DepEd never responded to their appeals to upgrade their lives. It is no good example to young minds the teachers are trying to mold in a modest way. But it is their only way to inch-by-inch stand without a shaking knee due to hunger, thirst and tiresome work. On the day of receiving their pay, the teachers are already indebted more than their salary. And to continuously survive, the teachers have to avail another loan with interest beyond repair. If PNoy will not believe this, it is much better for him to consult his Education officials. Frankly speaking, my brethren are counted with the public schools,

and they, too, had been dragged to the same streets of dire. With the purpose of cutting their monthly room rental, the teachers have to avail the housing loan offered by the HLURB. The housing loan has to be deducted from their monthly salary. When natural disaster comes their way, the teachers have to avail of an SSS loan (Social Security System). What a mess? With this fact, the teachers are already buried six feet under debts. They find it hard to lift themselves up from their grave. Theirs is no longer the modest profession. Pity them. But there is something that the government can do to honor the teachers, not by giv-

ing them medals and trophies but by increasing their salary. An increase in their pay can lessen their burden of sending their children to school. Teachers as parents never fail to say that: Education is the only inheritance that can never be robbed, for the same have been proven in their lives. The government should not only invest on the number of its citizens for its useless if they are illiterate. As Francisco Colayco said people are an investment. But they must be people with education. For education can be a good capital in business, and the best investment for employment for the countrys progress.

in the performance of any legal, moral or social duty; and 2. A fair and true report, made in good faith, without any comments or remarks, of any judicial, legislative or other official proceedings which are not of confidential nature, or of any statement, report or speech delivered in said proceedings, or of any other act performed by public officers in the exercise of their functions.

No libel can kill good ...

GIJUMO defense: Lack of Malice Now, the official proceeding is of extreme public interest because it is one about the murder of a journalist and the fact that this is without doubt among the first of those matters that interest the people. The articles in question are therefore obvious to have been made to serve public interest. And if this is so, then the intention must definitely be good and the motive must definitely be justified. The intention was to make the public know what happened in an official proceeding for the murder of the journalist to serve the interest of the public that has been following the developments on this case. This means these news stories were made with good intention. Now, the motive, or the impelling force that drove the respondents into writing and publishing the questioned articles, is the desire to exercise press freedom that is inherent in every journalist like the respondents. Therefore, there is no doubt that the making of these stories were done with good intention and justifiable motive. Under Article 354, when the making of an imputation is shown to have been done with good intention and justifiable motive

able motive, having been established From page 2 there is then no malice that can be or GIJUMO (Good presumed under the Intention and Justifi- law. able Motive), there is no presumption of Lack of presumed malice: accusers burmalice. den to show actual To stress, the malice main paragraph of the law reads: Art. 354. Requirement What does it mean for publicity. Ev- when there is no ery defamatory immalice that can be putation is presumed presumed? to be malicious, If this is the case, even if it be true, if the burden of proof no good intention to prove probable and justifiable mocause of ACTUAL tive for making it is MALICE to justify shown, except in the the filing of these following cases libel cases in court GIJUMO, or good rests on the shoulder intention and justifi- of the accuser.

Scrutinizing the complainant for libel shows not a single evidence of actual malice has been produced. Actual malice means the act of publishing a defamatory imputation despite prior knowledge that the imputation is false, or a reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the imputation as if it was stupid or foolish to believe in the facts gathered. And if there is no proof of probability of the element of malice, then there is no libel.

The day the untouchables ...

those who perished in the infamous Maguindanao massacre. Policeman Elliver Cablitas, the husband of Mindanao Focus columnist Maritess Cablitas who was among those killed there, is so sure that if only his wife and other reporters were not killed, the Ampatuans could have been still there lording over all in sight. In his words, even if the entire population of a barangay of Mangudadatu families were killed, it will only go to oblivion and the Ampatuans would still remain the kingsof nothingness. With tears speaking, Elliver premised that if there was one good thing that happened with the death of his wife, it was that these martyrs also gave death to another group of untouchables, the Ampatuans. And if there was another thing that is a priceless reward, it is the priceless freedom now enjoyed by the Maguindanaoans, many of whom were said to have been murdered by means of cutting bodies in half with the use of chainsaws in full view in public plazas to give lessons to those who may have thoughts of fighting the clan. So proud of his wife, Elliver told Dr. Anacleto Toto B. Millendez, founder of Beautiful Heart Foundation, Inc., that his belief is also the belief of another Toto, who is now Maguindanao Governor Esmael Toto Mangudadatu. Elliver recalled that Toto Mangudadatu was convinced that no one would touch the journalists because they have been untouchables in Maguindanao, Mangudadatu invited them to accompany his men, his wife, and his two sisters in filing his certificate of candidacy for governor of Maguindanao on November 23, 2009. But they were wrong. The convoy were blocked on their way to Shariff Aguak, forcibly brought to a remote place that no one would ever come, killed like shooting targets of chicken with some heads blowing out, and buried in the most despicable way. A backhoe marked with letterings Province of Maguindanao, Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. lifted the cadavers from where they slumped, poured them on two excavations obviously prepared prior the abduction at the checkpoint, and covered the bodies and their vehicles with the soil dug out from the same holes. For every layer of landfill, the backhoe compacted the filling so that the vehicles would be flattened. Elliver, however, slightly blamed Mangudadatu for the death of his wife and 57 others. But he now chose to thank the high heaven for without the brutal event, the killings in Maguindanao will never end. The most feared warlords of Maguindanao, Andal Ampatuan Sr., Zaldy Ampatuan and Andal Ampatuan Jr., were pointed to as brains of the massacre. The Ampatuan clan has been pointed to countless of killings in Maguidanao for the last 20 years. He said the Ampatuans style of governance dubbed Own the People is now a history. And the gravest concern of Elliver now is

From page 1

the fact that the literal meaning of justice will never come to him and his family even after ten (10) years, pointing out the snail system in the country like the countless motions filed by the lawyers of the Ampatuans. As this was written, the judge handling the case, Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes took a twoweek vacation. If there is one more thing, this is an argument in favor jury system of justice being advocated by Hukuman ng Mamamayan Movement, Inc. (HMMI) being led by Berteni Toto Catalua Causing.

Sept.19-25,2011

Vol. II No. 67

Govt men are just that: Public property, nothing more

THIS is my Governance 101 course for P-Noy and all other officials, elected or appointed! If I were the President of the Philippines, the top qualities that I would look for in choosing a person to be appointed, other than academics, work records, and integrity, are: (1) he or she should have a thick skin; (2) he or she must have a brave heart; and (3) he or she has the principle that he or she is a public property, nothing more. By having a thick skin, he or she must not be onion-skinned that he or she does not react wildly to any accusation. By having a brave heart, he or she must be courageous in facing criticisms frontally and do it by means of words against words and not swords against words. By being a public property, he or she must abide by the principle that his time and body are owned by the public and not for his or her private pleasures. Correlating all these qualities that I would look for in my appointees if I were the President, I expect them to be persons who believe they have no right to complain even on the harshest criticisms or worst of falsities foisted against them. I expect my appointees know that from the time of signing and accepting their office, taking their oaths, and entering their duties, they are a public property and nothing more, so to speak. If they are a public property, they have no right to slap or punch security guards who may have displeased them as what was reported in the news that Congressman Pangandaman punched a watchman, or as the silence to Pangandamans act as shown now by alleged congressman of blue guards and tricycle drivers who is Mikey Arroyo, who was used to quickly rebut with arrogance while a fake Cinderella was still sitting on the throne stolen not once but twice, as actress Susan Roces once said. The muteness of Mikey is deafening, even if the Wack-Wack incident where the Pangandamans went wild is yet recent to forget. As a public property, public officials have no right to manhandle

Privileged spits
By Toto C. Causing
drivers and maids or shout at kids knocking on their car windows for alms. As a public property, public officials have no right to shout at waiters. As a public property, public officials have no right to go to nightclubs or gay bars. Most above all, public officials have no right to complain against public accusations. The public owns them and they must be slaves of the public and not be kings and queens when their works were put into question. And for being a public property, they have no right to take mistresses or paramours for they will only serve as bad examples to the people who idolize them. For being a public property, they have no right to play in casinos. On casino, I should lecture former governors Joel T. Reyes of Palawan and Antonio Carrion of Marinduque, aside from demanding from them to face and fight with truth the accusation that they masterminded the murder of Palawan broadcaster Dr. Gerry Ortega. I should also remind Vice-Mayor Isko Moreno of Manila that casino is not good for him because a good mayor is not like a mouse that plays dirty when the cat is away. These slaves who are a public property must know that over and above academic requirements is a moral resume that can stand alone as a total qualification. On the qualities of being thick-skinned and brave-hearted, my best example is Dr. Rosario Torres-Yu, a professor of the Filipino department at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Unlike Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago who is perhaps the best legal mind UP has produced but who filed libel cases to fend off criticisms, Dr. Torres-Yu showed she is not onion-skinned but a woman with a brave heart when she posted her reply and explanation right beneath the blog story I posted. The blog entitled Ex-judge and winner in Palanca prize for the same category definitely hurt Dr. TorresYu. She was identified by me as the one who was a judge in Sanaysay (essay) during the 2010 edition and a contestant in the 2011 contest. Torres-Yu won the second prize in this years category where the chairman of the board of judges, Dr. Pam Constantino, was Yus co-judge in the 2010 version. But Dr. Torres-Yu never second-guessed. She and Dr. Constantino wrote their reactions and explained in so gracious and magnanimous words--to the point of debunking my facts. I salute them. They should be emulated by our public officialsnot the kind who would react like what Mikey did, saying Prove it!; or

like the Ampatuans did: Kill em all!; or what Kalinga Gov. Jocel Baac did: barging inside the announcers booth of dyRK, grabbing one microphone, and smashing it on the mouth of announcer Jerome Tabanganay. To know the details of what I am saying about Dr. Torres-Yu and Dr. Constantino, open the website at http:// totocausing.blogspot. com/2011/09/proprietyissue-in-palanca-prizeex.html. As people of deep discernment, Dr. Torres-Yu and Dr. Constantino chose to confront accusing words with gracefully-written words. Mr. Rosauro D. Bautista, Head Agent of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Puerto Princesa City, must follow the examples of Dr. Torres-Yu and Dr. Constantino. He should have not filed libel cases against Police Files! Tonite and X-Files publisher Joey G. Venancio and editors Jack Castillo and Becky Rodriguez. Instead, Mr. Bautista should speak up and have his mind published to refute the statements in the affidavit executed by Mr. Percival Lecias,

an accused in the murder of broadcaster Dr. Ortega, which statements were published almost in toto by Venancio and company. In that statement, Lecias alleged that Mr. Bautista got mad as he was seeing money in two attach cases being distributed inside an NBI office on Taft Avenue, Manila. It was just a statement sworn to by Lecias, who is a corespondent of exgovernors Reyes and Carrion, and which statements were filed officially by Lecias in a preliminary investigation conducted by the Department of Justice to know whether there was probable cause that Reyes and Carrion masterminded the slaying. Venancio and company never said in their news stories that these statements of Lecias are true. They never made any remarks or opinions. Mr. Bautista, you are just a public property, nothing more! Perhaps, P-Noy discerned more what I mean when he issued a striking statement. KAYO, ANG BOSS KO!

Jerrys Blogs
By Jerry S. Yap
THE inaction of government on abuses committed against our kababayans employed at Resorts World Casino remains a mystery. The workers are not only fed with measly food, they are also forced to render two (2) hours overtime work. Now, the workers are clamoring that they are not paid with their MIDYEAR BONUS. Counting a few months from now, CHRISTMAS BONUS is for the giving, but the MID-YEAR BONUS is not yet handed to Resorts World Casino employees. The purported reason of foreigners who own RW casino is: The employees have committed unaccounted minor offenses. Tsk tsk tsk It seems that we go back in time, the time of the Spaniards. The Filipinos are crushed underfoot the strangers in their own native land. These foreigners are taking away the gains of our government-run casino. They are squeezing the benefits of their workers. Will Congress not act to the plight of the Filipino workers at Resorts World Casino? Is it true that the Honorable Tongressmen, este, Congressmen have swallowed their pieces of the cake? We need your reply, Cong. Amado Bagatsing! Vice Mayor Isko Moreno prepares for 2013 polls? A couple of days ago, our blog boys saw Manila Vice Mayor ISKO MORENO at the second floor of Cafe Adriatico at 10:00 in the evening. Moreno was seen having a conference with FAMILIAR FACES in Manila politics, including olat, ste, LETLET ZARCAL, Analyn Atienza and some identified with the past Manila government administration. The Moreno Dream Core was sitting in between two groups that the blog boys perceived as people from the campaign and PR of his group. Theyre not so BIG in name, not so small, but not yet in an average status. Anyway, they chose clients with balls, maybe for 2013 elections. According to our blog boys, the group was at the SECOND FLOOR of Caf Adriatico. They were spotted by our blog boys because the comfort rooms of the establishment are at the second floor. It seems their conference was very fruitful because the smile faded not on Vice Mayor Iskos face, and it seems that it was hard for them to separate ways because the night was still

young. Just like the childrens bedtime story that goes: Thats all for today folks. Lets wait for another story tomorrow. See you then! VP Binay capitalizes on his being a Housing Czar and Presidential Adviser for OFWs! Theres nothing wrong in dreaming. As admitted by the concurrent Vice-President, Housing czar and presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), JEJOMAR BINAY dreams of the presidency. Its hypocrisy to say he has no plan. But as of now, Binay will perform his duties and responsibilities in the government. But many observed that Binay utilizes his positions and functions to reinforce his dream a run for president of the Republic in

Isko, Jejomar and their dreams!

2016. Speaking of his dream, all we can advise: For the moment, can you please set aside your dream, VP Jojo Binay? Many perceive that youre only taking advantage of the circumstances. You are already known to the voters. The people are cognizant of how you move and think. They are aware of the objectives of your highly-publicized performance. They know of how wide and far your foresight is. Well, let me repeat: Theres nothing wrong in dreaming. But considering your attitude, we think that your winning the 2016 elections is vague. In truth, we havent seen great ACCOMPLISHMENTS of agencies you lord over. Unsolicited advice: If you can craft a comprehensive housing program for the masses, maybe, just maybe, you can have an edge. Dont worry Globe Asiatique. By the way, how are you, ex-VP Noli De Castro? VP Binay immediately absolved ex-VP De Castro from the scandal involving his friend Delfin Lee. But he swallowed his words the following day. The second unsolicited advice: Limit the exposure of your PR chief and cordon sanitaire Mr. JOEY SALGAGO, ste, SALGADO. It seems that his aura is NEGA to the media. His presence might drag you to naught.

Hanggang kailan matatapos ang kalbaryo ng mga airport police?

We have no clue of the plan of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) to the airport police.

They are working like carabaos but there is no system in their compensation. Airport policemen worked 12 hours a day but their OVERTIME pay is not yet paid for last month. Until now they have no Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA). We would like to inform MIAA General Manager Jose Angel Bodet Honrado that the airport policemen are not robots. They are human beings with families and needs. They are eating, paying water and electric bills, and sending children to school. Others are supporting their parents and brethren. They are not parasites. They are working to maintain PEACE and ORDER at the NAIA. Since they are not paid with overtime pay, many of them are now in heavy debts.

Vol. II No. 67

Sept.19-25,2011

Simplified Libel Law in the Philippines

By BERTENI TOTO CATALUA CAUSING

The true definition of malice as an element of libel refers to imputations that IBEL is but a small part of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines. But it is com- are false, and that the author published the same despite prior knowledge that plicated as the rest of the provisions of these are false. that law combined if we talk of untangling Opinion can never be proven false or true: they can only be proven wrong or how to prosecute or defend successfully. correct. As such, it is anomalous for the Supreme Court to say there is malice If it is hard to prosecute libel in court, it is equal- in an opinion of a columnist if he writes that a lawyer is inutile or ignorant. ly hard to defend libel during the preliminary inves- Since opinions can never be false and malice is based on publication of falsities, opinions can never be malicious no matter how wrong. tigation stage and during the trial. Given this hostile environment for the press, the only precaution an ordinary Many a Filipino journalist take the many libel cases filed against them as badges of honor. They journalist can do is to hide some facts, although doing this amounts to consent to believe they have nothing to fear about for no one the wrongdoings. Withholding identification of wrongdoers or the wrongs done is one of the best preventive measures owing to the fact of life that no one can can prove malice. prevent any person from filing a libel case, with or without merit. The opposite is the truth. Now, the filing alone of a libel complaint is in itself prejudicial, let alone the With the present state of conservative thinking fact that many journalists are poor to afford to hire a lawyer. the Philippine courts have, many end up convicted That is, even if to file a complaint is one thing and for the said complaint to for insults that are actually opinions in themselves. The author has been campaigning for the decrimi- succeed is another thing. nalization of libel from the criminal statutes of the But those who are brave amongst the press continue to defy the libel law and Philippines, but he discusses this campaign in anin so doing they have given a false impression to the world that the Philippines other book. has a free press. In the authors more than 20 years of experience Such that if it happens as always that many dissenting voices and words are as a media man (as sportswriter, news writer, copy editor, and news editor), more than a hundred cases heard or read in the Land of the Pearl of the Orient Seas, it is because of the darof libel were slapped at him. All got dismissed in ing attitude of most media men, not because of the laws. courts or prosecution offices. It is in this context that this Simplified Libel Law book has come to being. The brutal truth is that libel has been a favorMy purpose is to give the daring and the brave among my brethren the necesite tool of the powers-that-be in getting back at or silencing critics or journalists writing reports about sary knowledge armory to fight those who abuse libel law. Another reason the involvements of public officials, public figures and author decided to write this is that it is a part of his advocacy to set up a society private persons who became subjects of even mat- of a totally-free press, a society where libel is not a crime, but only a civil dispute to be resolved between the libeled and the libeler. ters that involved public interest. Another worrisome fact is the increasing conviction rate and the increasing affirmation by the Supreme Court of these convictions. In 2006 to 2007, convictions of three journalists found guilty by the trial courts of Makati and Davao Cities were affirmed with finality by the Court of Last Resort on the basis of the opinions of the justices that malice is presumed in the insulting words that are in themselves opinions. They say everybody is entitled to his or her opinion; but opinions that are scathing or one that is a name-calling do not sit well with the justices. I am passionately against these convictions. These are a complete disregard of Article III, Section 4 of the Philippine Constitution that prohibits abridgment of the freedom of expression.

Chapter I Introduction
that it is a civil right and duty of every citizen to criticize civil governors, that freedom of expression is like a great river that when you prevent it from flowing it will form a flood upstream and will wipe out everything in its riotous paths downstream. Now, a question may be asked: Is it not proper that libel should protect the people because sovereignty resides in them or that they are the source of power? But as it shows, the Philippine libel law protects government officials who are supposed to be only agents of the people. This fact that the libel law actually operates to protect the agents of the people is the reason that we can always hear officials filing libel cases against lowly media men. Although the cases filed do not necessarily result in conviction, the act of filing them alone is enough to harass the journalists into silence. Once libel complaints are filed, concerned journalists are compelled to defend themselves before prosecutors offices that approve indictments in court even with the slightest probability of malice, compelled to face warrants of arrest because of indictments that are almost expected, compelled to look for money for bail for temporary liberty, compelled to undergo the prejudicial and oftentimes partial trial, and, if unlucky, finds selves convicted by judges who yield to the urgings of high officials.

Conviction on the basis of opinion is sickening because to express is to make an opinion known. Many have been charged, indicted, tried and convicted because of opinions that touch the In a country like the Philippines, the people are the ones who decide who egos of the greedy and the dishonest who look at themselves bigger than their actual reputa- should lead them as president, and who should represent them in making laws for them. Unfortunately though, while the basic premise is that the source of the tion. power to judge and interpret the laws should be the people, the Filipinos do not I remember the case of Mr. Claudio Da- actually decide who should sit as judges and justices: this should not be the case. quer of Puerto Princesa who was convicted What should be the case is that the people should be the ones who should by the RTC there for calling sports official Arnie A. Grande as mokong, exercise their power to judge by electing their justices and judges or by the jury kuto, and gago. The National system, where their representatives randomly picked from them sit as jurors to Press Club of the Philippines appealed hear and to say what really are the facts in the cases. his case and it is still pending up And if the Filipinos have a jury system, it is for sure that the libel law will beto this writing. come extinct as what happened when the jury nullified the libel law in the famous trial of John Peter Zenger in the State of New York in olden times when the state was yet a province of Great Britain. The jurors in Zengers case fell for the arguments of his lawyer when he said

One thing more, influential persons would invoke the rule of sub judice that the accused journalists cannot write about matters related to the issues Libel law traces its roots to the common law for one purpose: to protect the being tackled in court while the case is pending; king or queen, the source of power in the olden times. even if the issues involved weigh more for public interests. During those times when the rule of the monarchs were absolute, they had the power to decide what should be the laws, the power to execute or carry out the Nevertheless, libel law has evolved from the laws, and the power to judge as to how to interpret the laws they made and how 17th century when English writer William Prynns to apply the laws on the people who committed acts violating any of these laws ears were lopped off before he was imprisoned for decreed by the kings or the queens. writing a book criticizing the queen. Today, this cannot happen. In the present populist societies, there is no more room for the kings or queens to be protected. They have been relegated to symbols of their nations sovereignty Inspired by great thinkers like John Stuart Mill after the unprecedented rise of populist ideas: that it is not the king who is the who espoused that the liberty of thought should be king but the people. allowed to be freely expressed if only to get to the truth, the pen of Justice Brennan in the landmark Among those demoted by circumstances to mere symbols of power are the case of Abrams vs US, 250 U.S. 616 (1919) flourqueen of Great Britain or the United Kingdom, the king of Spain, the king of ished. Thailand, and the emperor of Japan. That is although there still remain today kingdoms where the monarchs are still the rule: these are the sheiks or emirs or The veritable legal genius in Brennan dissented kings of the Middle East, some of them crumbled lately. by espousing the popular marketplace of ideas theory, arguing that the best test of truth is the power of Such that if a libel law is by nature intended to protect the source of power, the thought to get itself accepted in the competition then it must protect the people because it is the people who are the source of of the market, that the ultimate good desired is best To page 7 power in populist societies and not the government officials. reached by free trade in ideas.

FLOYD, RETURN THE MONEY & CROWN

By BERTENI TOTO CATALUA CAUSING

Sept.19-25,2011

Vol. II No. 67

Y the time I write this, probably more than half the people of the world already watched how Floyd Mayweather Jr. knocked out his opponent Victor Ortiz -- IN A REVOLTING MANNER! But for those who do not know yet what happened, let me summarize it this way. After the referee has deducted a point from Ortiz and while he was about to hug Mayweather, the latter threw a punch on Ortiz. In a split of a second after that punch, Ortiz looked to the left to complain to the referee who was walking away without seeing that punch and without noticing the protest of Ortiz. While not aware of this, in the same span of a split of a second, Floyd delivered the knockout blow. To visualize how it happened, watch this video: http://youtu.be/ G6Knyu4-6wM. To the mind of this blogger, it is completely despicable and revolting to allow Mayweather to take the prize of tens of millions of dollars and the welter champions belt upon that atrocious act! It was like shooting dead an innocent child. It is more like a situation in a war where a soldier shoots at an opposing soldier whose weapon is down! Associated Press boxing writer Tim Dahlberg wrote this: May-

SUCKER-PUNCH -- Mayweather follows thru with a right straight to the face of Victor Ortiz that took the lights out of him thereby annexing the WBC Lightwelterweight crown. The punch came right after Ortiz apologized for the headbutting incident, drew much reaction from the boxing community all over the world. weather later engaged in a verbal confrontation with HBO announcer Larry Merchant, calling him a name at one point and drawing a pointed response from the veteran broadcaster, who said he would thrash the boxer if he was 50 years younger. Floyd argued that it was perfectly within the legal bounds of boxing to punch an opponent even if the opponent was not on guard. His justification is that in boxing, any boxer inside the ring must always be on guard. Yes, Floyd got a support from referee Joe Cortez, who was quoted by Dahlberg as saying: Time was in, the fighter needed to keep his guard up. Mayweather did nothing illegal. But to the mind of this blogger, while there is no written law to respect an opponent who forgets to put his guards up or is so trusting in the belief that the opponent is a gentleman, it is nevertheless an act of cheating to take advantage of the situation. In the Philippine civil law, a person who acts to damage another is still liable although it is his right to do so. Additionally, this blogger says without fear that not one of the crowd or the audience somewhere else in the world would have respect for Floyd after he flayed just to win. If there is anything else to be said why Floyd flayed, it is because of FEAR. Floyd is a COWARD, no more. He feared to lose and that fear is the reason he is always on the loose. Let us see what treachery would Floyd show if he fights Manny Pacman Pacquiao.

From page 6

Simplified Libel Law in the Philippines

as publishing a defamatory imputation despite knowledge it was false, or a reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the imputation. 418 U.S. 323 (1974), was laid down where public figures were classified into three: (a) public officers; (b) private persons pervasively known in a community such as celebrities; and (c) private persons who are not pervasively known but who voluntarily threw themselves into the vortex of the controversy or those who voluntarily acted to influence the resolution of a controversy. ever, mutated another and fair comments are doctrine from public of- the most effective defenses against libel cases ficers. filed against journalists, In Borjal vs CA, G.R. editors, broadcasters and No. 126466, January 14, others who write opin1999, the Philippine Su- ionated articles. preme Court ruled that Other defenses may commentaries on matters of public interest are be lack of jurisdiction qualifiedly privileged if of the trial court and they were inferred fairly prescription, which, in from reasonably sup- turn, simply means that posed facts even if such the right to file a libel facts turn out false later. suit is only one year and beyond that period, right If a writing is quali- already expired. fiedly privileged, the Nevertheless, the burden of proof of malice is thrown to the face author wants to point out that the freedom of of the accuser. expression, of speech, Until today, the doc- and of the press is not trines of public figures an exclusive domain of the journalists. The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines grants this freedom to all people of any class. How these doctrines work and how the other possible defenses make some magic shall be laid out in detail in their respective chapters. It is guaranteed that it is easy for one who reads this book to master the law of libel, its reasons and purposes, and its defenses. This book devotes one chapter for the knowledge on how an editor, reporter or any writing enthusiast can evade and avoid getting charged in court by the prosecutors for libel. It also devotes another chapter in summarizing the available defenses. Another is dedicated to a discussion for each of these defenses. One of such lengths is also given to applications to each of the discussions on actual cases, on the survey of the Supreme Court decisions on libel, on how to deal with real issues in the news desk, on what to do when a libel case is filed, among others.

In 1964, the US Supreme Court came up with another landmark ruling in the case of New York Times vs. Sullivan, 376 U.S. 254 (1964), virtually wiping away whatever vestige libel had as a crime in the United States of America. It was not long after that this criminal law became extinct in the land of the milk and honey.

In 1967, the US Supreme Court came up with another landmark case in Curtis vs Butts, 388 U.S. 130 (1966), for the struggle for free expression and free press. There it was held that libel rules applicable to public officers under the Since then, the PhilipThe conclusion in standards of New York New York Times case Times is also applicable pine jurisdiction adopted this postulate such that is that public officials to public figures. it became the rule of the cannot sue for libel unIn 1974, another land- day in the Philippines. less they can show first a prima facie proof of mark US Supreme Court The Philippines, howactual malice, defined case, Gertz vs Welch,

Vol. II No. 67

YUMMY, YUMMY SHAMCEY!

Sept.19-25,2011

By BERTENI TOTO CATALUA CAUSING

If I were to answer her question, I would say:

am not convinced Shamcey did superbly to defeat the uniqueness in the appearance of Miss Angola. Imagine, all else were white and she was black and yet she had the face equally beautiful as the rest and answer not least as anyone else! That rarity sealed the crown for her! If the answer of Shamcey were extraordinary, that was the only way for her

No, I would not change my religion. I would marry God because He is the man I love the most.
where the editor-inchief of this paper hails from, but also because both her father, Kuya Tim, and mother, Ate Marcey, are his co-alumni from Mindanao State Univeristy-Marawi. All MSUans, including this author, campaigned hard to vote for her online to ensure that she would be assured a seat in the Top Five. And whatever the cute-and-innocentlooking Black Woman Miss Angola would say, SHAMCEY IS YUMMY, YUMMY! Shamceys boyfriend who converted from a Catholic to a Protestant because of his love for her must have won a One-Billion-Dollar prize in the heart of the woman who professed in her final question that she would prefer God over the man she loves if to marry him demands her to change her religious beliefs. If I were the ones to answer the same question, I would answer: No, I would not change my religion. I would marry God because He is the man I love the most. That answer of Shamcey, wittingly or luckily drawn for her, told of her real-life love drama with her boyfriend who has forsaken his religious belief in favor of the Yummy, Yummy Sup Sup.

to win. But we Filipinos must take comfort because Shamceys win is an affirmation and a solidification of a statement that the Philippines is a franchisee of a Top Five seat. Remember that in 2010 our very own Venus Raj finished Fourth Runner Up and, on top of that, she has become so popular in the world and her memories still lingered right at the time the

final questions were thrown to the Five finalists. Who would ever forget Venus when she recited a major major answer? Even American entertainment columnists, writers and talk show hosts kept on repeating and laughing about the major major answer. When Miss Mexico appeared on NBC and was asked what she could say about the major major answer, the Mexican

turned out to be very fluent in English yet she resorted to an interpreter before she answered her final question. Nevertheless, the Latina defended Venus insisting that standing on the world stage gives the biggest nervous of life. Nevertheless, Dyaryo Magdalo takes pride in Shamcey, not only because she is from General Santos City that is a neighbor of South Cotabato