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Register Now and Vote on 2010 Election! – Rock The Vote

Flow — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:59:44 +0000

Quezon City, September 11 Rock The Vote sits with students and some youth advocates and bloggers sa Starbucks Dialogue series in Techno Hub at Philcoa near University of the Philippines Diliman.

Umikot ang discussion sa halaga ng participation ng mga tao sa election lalo na ang mga first time voter, Georg Nava of Rock The Vote and Register & Vote mention na importante ang pagpaparegistro sa darating na election para makaboto sa 2010. Georg who is also part of Youth Vote Philippines with Evita Garcia, her team mate sa RV, ikinuwkento nila how the campaign starts and how this project works. They mention na ngayon nagfofocus sila sa pagpapaalaala at pangangampanya na magparehistro ang mga 1st time voter na nasa magiging 18 na bago ang National at Local Election sa 2010 at hinihimok din nilang makiisa rin pati ang mga taong hindi pa nagpaparehistro. Ayon kay Georg ito ang 1st step na kailangan gawin para makasali sa election at ang 2nd step ay ang i-scrutinize ang mga tatakbo sa posisyon bago sila iboto.

During the discussion kasama ang mga students at ibang mga advocates at bloggers naging usap-usapan ang Automated Election na kung saan ay inapprove na ng Supreme Court, ayon kay Georg she has faith on automation, optimistic siya sa technology na ito pero ang tanging concerns lang niya ay ma-clear lang ng COMELEC ang ilang mga bagay tulad ng process ng mismong actual voting, mga taong may access sa pagpapatakbo ng prosesong ito at mismong mga voting concerns tulad ng ano ang mga guidelines na kailangan i-inform sa mga botante. Bukod dito ang tanging hiling lang ng RV ay madagdagan ang mga machines at registration form na minsan ay nagkukulang sa mga registration precints na katulad nang naganap sa Cagayan de Oro na kung saan as early 3am mayroon nang mga nag iintay sa pagbubukas ng registration area ngaunit sa kasamaang palad ay nagkulang ang mga forms na kailangan at maraming pumila ang hindi nakapagparehistro.

Ngayon ang RV ay may project na Register & Vote Bus na kung saan ay pumupunta sila sa mga lugar upang i-remind ang mga tao na magparehistro at ang mismong bus ay nagiging service para dalhin ang mga kabataan sa mga registration area sa mga local government offices. Ayon kay Georg wala nang reason para hindi sila pumunta at makapagparehisto. Simula noong ginawa ang project na ito ay nakapunta na ang RV Bus sa Tatalon, Cebu, Cagayan De Oro, at ngayong September 17 ay pupunta sila sa Davao City.

Bukod sa RV Bus ay isa sa proyekto nila ang RV Concert to let other youth icons kagaya ng mga musicians at mga celebrity na himukin ang kanilang mga followers para sumali sa pagpaparehistro. “It influences much when this person whom the youth look up to and tell them to register and vote”, ito ang sabi ni Georg na kung saan nakasama na nila kagaya nina KC Concepcion, Kamikaze, Parokya ni Edgar, Sponge Cola at iba pang celebrity sa RV Concert at sila mismo ang nag encourage sa mga fans nila na mag-participate sila sa registration.

After the last day of registration on October 31, RV is planning to have series of forums to let the youth and other voters to ask questions, scrutinize and learn more of those politicians running for the position. “Ito ang second step after registration ang kilalanin nila ang mga tatakbo sa election bago nila ito iboto” Georg mention where she and Evita tells those who is part of the dialogue na kilalanin mabuti ang mga tatakbo before giving their votes.

Read my opinion on Angsawariko.blogspot.com

Mar Roxas on “Probe Profiles”

Flow — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 05:20:47 +0000

A week after Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II dropped his long-established plan to capture the presidency, “Probe Profiles” tries to make sense of his 180-degree turn on Wednesday (Sep 9) on ABS-CBN.

In one-on-one interviews with Cheche Lazaro before and after he decided to give way to Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III as the Liberal Party standard bearer, Roxas talks about his aborted plans and addresses the speculations about his surprise announcement.

Lazaro looks into the background of Roxas and his track record to understand where the statesmanlike move—a very rare gesture, if not completely unheard of, in today’s political landscape—came from.

See the big picture on “Probe Profiles” this Wednesday (Sep 9), after “Bandila” on ABS-CBN or at Probe’s official website, www.probetv.com. For a behind-the-scenes look, visit probeprofiles.multiply.com. Catch “Probe Profiles” again on Friday (Sep 11) at 3 a.m. and Sunday (Sep 13) at 1:30 p.m. on the ABS-CBN News Channel (SkyCable channel 27).

Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno heads the launching of Moral Force Movement

Flow — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:48:38 +0000

“Ang dangal ng lahing Pilipino ay nakasalalay sa ating pag-ibig sa bayan. Isang Pag-ibig na naka-ugat sa totoo, mabuti at tama. Isang pag-ibig na umuusbong mula sa pananalig at pag-asa” – Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno

August 31, inilunsad sa Main Auditorium ng Far Eastern University sa Morayta Manila ang Moral Force Movement (MFM) sa pamumuno ni Chief Justice Puno na kung saan ito ay isang multisectoral, non-partisan movement that calls for moral transformation sa bansa. Binuo ang MFM noong March 2009 sa pangunguna ni Chief Justice Puna bilang founder ng movement, na kung saan ay kulang kulang isang taon na lang bago mag Local and National Election sa 2010. Ang pangunahing adhikain ng movement na ito ay mas mapatatag ang moral values of integrity sa bansa, magkaroon ng social responsibility at pagmamahal sa bansa ang mga Filipino sa pamamagitang ng maayos na edukasyon at service oriented programs na kung saan ang bawat isa sa kabila ng kanilang sector na kinabibilangan at relehiyong kinakaaniban ay magagawang magsama sama para magparticipate sa adhikaing ito.

Education for the Election

Sa nalalapit na 2010 National and Local Election, pinili ng MFM na mas patibayin ang moral values kagaya ng integrity, social responsibility at pagmamahal sa bansa at nakapaloob ito sa programang ilulunsad nila ang Voter’s Education Program. Ang goal ng program na ito hikayatin ang mga botante makiisa sa pagboto sa election at piliin ang nararapat na transformational leader na dapat mamuno sa bansa.

Ang transformational leaders ay ang mga taong naghahangad nang pagbabago sa mga tao, sa mga ahensya at sangay ng lipunan, at sa mismong bansa na kayang itaguyod ito at pamahalaan sa maayos, at demokratikong pamamaraan. Kumpara sa mga tinatawag na transactional leaders na nakikilala natin sa common term na traditional politicians o mga trapo, na ang tanging importante laman sa kanila ay pansariling kapakanan at ng iilang mga kaibigan nila. Nakikilala ang mga transformational leaders sa tatlong bagay they practice eveftive (Kapitan ng Bayan), empowering (Lingkod Bayan) and ethical leadership (Katiwala ng Bayan).

Hopes on Morality and on 2010 Election

Ayon kay Ambassador Henrietta T. De Villa, Chairperson of the National Movement for Free Election (NAMFREL) and Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) na hahanapin ng MFM kasama ang mga bagong bayani o ang mga educated voters ang mga nararapat na kandidato o mga transformational leaders na mamumuno at gagabay sa bansa. Hinikayat ni Ambassador De Villa na simula ngayon hanggang sa darating na election na hikayatin ang bawat botante na maging matalino at mapanuri sa mga kandidato at hanapin ang transformational leaders na nararapat sa posisyon na kung saan ang basehan ng panunuri ay naka-ugat sa totoo, mabuti at tama na siyang core ng MFM.

Ayon sa kanya ay wala nang magagawa ang mga kandidato sa panahong ang mga botante ay maging matalino at seryoso sa responsableng pagboto doon makikita ang simula ng pagbabago ng Pilipinas at makakaahon sa katiwalian, korupsyon at conflict sa gobyerno. Idinadalangin ni Ambassador De Villa na dumating ang araw na ito na kung saan ay mas magiging maganda ang kinabukasan ng bayan kasama ang mga kabataan.

Kasama sa MFM sina Ambassador Henrietta T. De Villa (Chairperson of the National Movement for Free Election or NAMFREL, Chairperson rin ng Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting or PPCRV at dating Ambassador sa Vatican), Dr. Mildwida Guevarra (Former Undersecretary of Finance, Chairperson of Movement for Good Governance and of Synergia (educational reform) Foundation, and 2008 Gawad Haydee Yorac Awardee), Msgr. Gerardo O. Santos, Ed. D. (President of the Catholic Education Association of the Philippines or CEAP, Executive Secretary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines or CBCP, and Episcopal Commision on Cathechesis and Catholic Education), Retired Brigade General Jaime C Echeverria (President of the Association of Generals and Flag Officers), Bishop Ernesto P. Nacpil (Retired Bishop of the United Methodist Church of the Philippines), Ms. Marixi Rufino Prieto (Chairperson of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Trustee of the Metrobank Foundation), Attorney Andres D. Bautista (Chairman of the Philippine Association of Law Schools, Dean of the Far Eastern University Institute of Law, and columnist of the Philippine Star) and Noorian S. Sabdulla (Moslem youth, 2008 Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines Awardee).

Rafael Lopa and Cesar Buenaventura shares future plans for Benigno S. Aquino Jr Foundation

Flow — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 17:18:11 +0000

Last August 14 at the special screening of The Last Journey of Ninoy at the Rockwell Cinema at Power Plant Mall, nagkaroon tayo ng maikling conversation with Rafael Lopa the Executive Director of Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Foundation (BSAF) kasama si Cesar Buenaventura ang President ng BSAF para kamustahin ang mga future plans nila sa foundation at paano nila matutulungan ang ating mga kababayan.

Ang isa sa mga ginagawa ng foundation ngayon ay mag-create ng awareness sa mga kabataan ngayon kung sino si Ninoy Aquino, mula sa docu-drama nilang ipinalabas sa tulong ng Unitel Production, inilunsad din nila ang Ako si Ninoy the Musical at ang isang taon na nilang campaign na ang I Am Ninoy na inilunsad nila noong August 21, 2008. Ang main goal nila sa project na ito ay makita ng mga kabataan ang kahalagahan ni Ninoy sa bansa at ang makita nila ang katangian ni Ninoy sa kanilang mga sarili.

Bukod sa scholarship na inilunsad ng foundation simula noong 1986, pinag aaralan ng ng BSAF kung paano gagawin ang implementation ng Micro Finance para sa mga kababaihan lalo na sa mga ina na siyang naging pangunahing advocacy ng yumaong dating Presidente Corazon Aquino. Ang main goal ng project na ito ay para makatulong sa pagresolve ng kahirapan na dinadanas ng mga kababayan natin sa panahong ito. Ngayon ay nakahold muna ang scholarship para sa mga bagong batch ng BSAF para mabigyan ng budget ng micro financing na kung saan ay nakikipag usap na ang BSAF sa mga micro-finance institution that will help them sa livelihood program.

Bukod sa I Am Ninoy (iamninoy.com) website na siyang nagre-reach out sa mga kabataan sa pamamagitan ng mga activities mula sa shirt campaign hanggang sa community involvement na ngayon na kung saan ay part ang I Am Ninoy Runner Project where the funds na makukuha nila rito ay ipantutulong sa 57-75 Movement, isang private sector that leads the initiative to reverse the education crisis through focused interventions and school-community action. Nariyan na rin ang PinoyMe Foundation (PinoyMe.com) ito ay isang social investmentbank for microfinance institutions (MFIs) na tutulong para magkapuhunan ng mga small entrepreneur kagaya ng isang maybahay para matulungan niya ang kanyang sarili at ang kanyang pamilya.

Narito ang kumpletong panayam ko kina Rafael Lopa at Cesar Buenaventura ng Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Foundation.

The Last Journey of Ninoy

Flow — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:48:04 +0000

There are things history books won’t tell you about the last journey of Ninoy…
…And these are things you should know, to continue the legacy of Ninoy.

From the days leading to his decision to return to Manila, backtrack to Ninoy’s roots as a brash
and talented young man, forward to his long and arduous journey as a private family man and
statesman.

Through known and new records, plus valuable memories and insights from wife and ally, Cory,
discover Ninoy’s truest ideals and deepest struggles, his indominatable spirit and faith, as seen
through all his hardships and all hostilities he faced.

Intertwined with revelations of grand conspiracies, secret conversations and clandestine meetings,
know what truly led Ninoy to and what he hoped would come out of his last journey.

Read my blog about the Last Journey of Ninoy here

National Geographic Channel to premiere first locally-produced documentary- Asia’s Titanic

Flow — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 08:37:54 +0000

National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) has announced the premiere of “Asia’s Titanic,” a one-hour National Geographic Channel exclusive that probes into the world’s worst peacetime maritime disaster ever recorded.

This is the first documentary produced by NGCI in collaboration with a Filipino film production group under the NGCI-EDB (Economic Development Board) development fund grant.

“Asia’s Titanic” will premiere exclusively on NGC (Sky Cable Channel 41) on August 25, 2009, Tuesday, at 9 p.m. It will replay on August 26 at 4 am, 9 am, and 1 pm; August 30 at 9 pm; and August 31 at 1 am and 5 am.

“The documentary is a milestone for Filipino filmmakers to celebrate the launch of an exceptionally high quality movie to Filipino and global audiences with a strong admonition about sea safety,” said Jude Turcuato, NGC Philippines territory director.

“We are deeply committed to support the Filipino filmmaking industry with the unique opportunity of showcasing its creative talents to NGC viewers worldwide. The documentary is a powerful and dramatic story made by a Filipino production team that equals the hallmark standards of National Geographic,” Turcuato said.

“Asia’s Titanic” presents the tragic sinking of MV Doña Paz after colliding with an oil tanker off Mindoro Island just five days before Christmas in 1987— about 4,000 passengers died in the tragedy. The disaster is told through dramatic first-hand accounts of survivors and rescuers, actual transcripts from the Philippine congressional inquiry into the tragedy, archival footage and photos, and a re-enactment of the collision.

The documentary is directed by award-winning director Yam Laranas. It is the first for any Filipino filmmaker to direct a full-length documentary for National Geographic. Laranas said making the documentary was exciting. At the same time, he said it was heartbreaking to hear first-hand the horrifying accounts of the few survivors. He said the survivors themselves broke into tears while reliving their tragic ordeal.

In making “Asia’s Titanic”, Laranas and his team were guided by NGC’s supervising producers to meet the high standards of the channel’s documentary filmmaking—compelling storytelling, breathtaking and engaging visuals, and clear and crisp sound.

Read my blog on Asia’s Titanic
Read the schedules of Asia’s Titanic here

Kapit Bisig para sa Ilog Pasig Calls for Runners to Save Pasig River

Flow — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:21:07 +0000

The Philippine International Marathon 2009, A Run for the Pasig River goes to the starting line on November 8, 2009 at the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, Manila.

Organized by Kapit Bisig para sa Ilog Pasig (KBPIP) and under the helm of race director Rudy Biscocho, the run with categories in 3 kilometer, 5 kilometer, 10 kilometer and the full 42 kilometer marathon, aims to boost awareness about the project as well as raise funds to rehabilitate the Pasig River. A unique feature of the race is the 42K full marathon which can also be run by a relay team of 20 people.

The route has been crafted to provide the public a glimpse of the state of the river as well as challenge marathoners with its non-traditional route crossing nine of the thirteen bridges of the Pasig River, and with portions to be run alongside the river. Gunstart for the full marathon is at 4:30 a.m.

Gina Lopez, Managing Director of ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. one of the lead partners of KBPIP called on the public to show their support for the multi-sectoral effort to save the Pasig River: “The marathon is a step of faith. Together we can go the distance and clean the river.”

The Philippine International Marathon was established in 2000 by the Clean & Green Foundation headed by First Lady Mrs. Ming Ramos. In 2008, the Clean & Green Foundation passed the torch of reviving the Pasig River to ABS-CBN Foundation along with it the task of organizing the marathon as a fund-raiser for the effort.

The run is open to the public with a participation fee of P250. Corporate groups may also register as a team.

Free Running clinics will be made available for first time runners through the Pinoy Ultra Runners which is supporting the marathon.

Pre-registration forms are available at the Kapit Bisig para sa Ilog Pasig office at the 3/F ELJ Building. Interested participants may also call: 415-2272 loc. 3797, 416-1911 or email ilogpasig@abs-cbn.com.

AFI and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources through the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission signed a Memorandum of Agreement last March 2008 to co-manage the rehabilitation of the Metro Manila river basin, with initial focus on Pasig River and its tributaries. This gave birth to Kapit Bisig para sa Ilog Pasig, which was formally launched in February 2009.

2010 HOPEFULS TACKLE OFW ISSUES AT DZMM LEADERS FORUM

Flow — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 04:36:02 +0000

Four possible presidential aspirants will face-off on Saturday (Aug. 1) for DZMM’s “Usapang OFW: Leaders’ Forum,” to be aired live at 4pm on DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 and DZMM TeleRadyo.

Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Loren Legarda, Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, and Pampanga Gov. “Among” Ed Panlilio will tackle issues concerning the plight of overseas Filipinos worldwide in the forum organized by DZMM and the Blas Ople Center.

DZMM anchor Henry Omaga Diaz, Jasmin Romero, and Susan Ople will moderate the forum, which will be attended by about 200 representatives from the OFW sector.

ABS-CBN vice president for Manila Radio Division Peter Musngi said the forum is a way for OFWS to tell presidential aspirants how they can help alleviate the condition of Filipino workers abroad. DZMM also hopes to inspire them to register to vote, especially since the deadline for registration for absentee voters is already near.

Stay tuned to “Usapang OFW: Leaders’ Forum” with Henry Omaga Diaz, Jasmin Romero, and Susan Ople this Saturday (Aug. 1) at 4pm on DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 and DZMM TeleRadyo in cable channels nationwide. There will also be a live streaming at www.dzmm.com.ph.

My Top 10 Influential Bloggers of 2009

Flow — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:01:37 +0000

I remember Anton Diaz’s during his talk at the iBlog5 at The University of The Philippines Diliman, that there are four levels of bloggers, the personal blogger, the celebrity blogger, the advocacy blogger and the maven blogger. With Janet Torral’s Influential Blogger where we acknowledge bloggers and blogs yearly either newbie bloggers or newly launched blogs or a 1 year old blog. Para sa akin I make sure that I do read the blog pero to be honest tamad ako mag-comment and I make sure I’m reading it anonymously in short hindi ko sya binabasa with my Firefox where I’m automatically naka-log in sa Myblog, and Blogcatalog. So here are nominees for the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2009 writing project of Ms. Janette Toral hope i-visit din ninyo sila at basahin ang mga blogs nila.

1. Viral and Video – Working on multi media platform company, viral is the most important to reach your market without any cost or effort and the easiest among the viral method is video where you can se the product or material moving and with audio. Videochops.com of Coy Caballes may not actually promote products and services, but the concept of capturing the online users for 5 minutes or more shows the stickiness of your material can be. With 4 ingredients: 1. Moving Visuals, 2. Clear Audio, 3. Effects and 4. The video blogger can sing (that is optional).

2. SEO – Do I need to define? Seeing newbie blogs that is already PR4, walang pinagkaiba yan sa masugid na manliligaw na 24 hours kung bumakod sa prospect niya, para sa term ng mga kabataang kagaya ko KARIR ang tawag dun, PinayAds.com of Iris ang masasabi kong talagang may effort pagdating on how she optimize her blog talaga to make it PR4 in a year.

3. Food Food Food – The most controversial blog topic na lahat naman ay nagcomment at nag bigay ng opinyon, pero ano pakialam ko masarap kumain at aminin natin yun e ano naman kung PatayGutom.com ako at ang favorite activity ko lang ay Foodivites.info.

4. Vocation

a. Profession – Blogging is extension daw ng sarili mo kung ano ka or kung ano ang ginagawa mo there are 3 bloggers and blogs na sinusundan ko since the time the launch their sites and recommended din sa akin ng mga friends ko, bukod sa sabi ng suking tindahan ko sa kabilang kanto ng aming bahay diyan sa Malabon (Upper Lands). Kung ikaw ang isang student hindi ba nakakacurious i-check ang Friendster, Facebook and Multiply ni teacher? Paano pa kung alam mo ang mismong url ng Ms. Tirazona na isa pa lang TheAccidentalTeacher.com na bukod sa experience niya as a teacher nagkwekwento rin si Ma’am ng mga kakikayan niya at ang kanyang Autism advocacy para next time alam mo kung paano mo makukuha ang kiliti ni Teacher Ria.

b. Parenting – Kung na-amazed tayo kay Lola Techie, what’s more kung mabasa mo ang mom at dad mo na nakikipagsabayan sa iyo pagdating sa blogging. Angel Cuala of Fatherblogger.com and Nobe of DearIago.com are my “Nanay and Tatay” Bloggers this year. Check out Angel’s post on parenting tips marami ka singuratong makukuhang aral, and what about Nobe na umikot ang blog nya writing to her Iago about things na dapat matutunan nya sa buhay bukod dito ang mga twisted ideas ng mga nanay bukod sa pagsuotin ang anak nila ng Sta. Claus or elf costume… yes victim din ako isama na ang Robin Hood costume (wish I can burn those pictures sigh…)

5. Community – Again do I need to elaborate? Para sa hindi pa nakakaalam ito ang mga taong magkakasama for the sake for Farmtown and Farmville isama na rin ang Twitter and Plurk. Walang pinagkaiba yang sa Row 1, Row 2, Row 3, and Row 4 sa classroom na grupo grupo na barkada, pero in blogging aside sa mga topic bloggers na nakakasama natin nariyan din ang mga fellowship ng mga regional bloggers kagaya ng CebuBloggers.com na in-love ako sa shirt nila sobra na may Blogger to bai! I remember Ad Congress campaign na Donut Bai, “Bai” is the first Cebuano term na natutunan ko next to the Visayan word na “Kaon” na paborito nating gawin.

Aside sa regional group like the Cebu Bloggers, sino ba ang hindi makakalimot sa sa movie na Godfather at show sa PTV 4 na Pinpin? Don’t ever think na magkakaroon ng Godfather Chinese edition, AbsoluteCousins.com ang tinutukoy ko alisin lang si Vito Corleone, their cousins and their Chinese na ang hilig ay nag blog, if ano ang connect sa Godfather, wala lang may nagsuggest kasi na yun ang ilagay siya sisihin ninyo.

6. Travel – Bukod sa food, ito yung next na paboritong gawin nang tao ay ang mag travel, kaya nauso ang mga travel shows kasi gusto ng tao makita muna ang pupuntuhan nila bago sila pumunta, ganun din sa blogging people surfs the net to check reviews, stories and photos bago sila pumunta sa lugar kaya si Batang Yagit naging Lakwatsero na rin sa new blog niyang Lakwatsero.Batangyagit.com.

Sa mga hindi ko napost I’m sorry pero hindi naman kayo magtatampo sige ang magtampo hindi magkakaroon ng lovelife forever and ever, pero para sa akin influential kayo sa akin kaso we only need 10 bloggers/blog to nominate. Like what others do sa mga shows sa last gap ng program nila we should thank our sponsors so here’s the spiel This writing project will not be possible without the support of sponsors such as Absolute Traders, My Brute Cheats, Business Summaries, Fitness Advantage Club, Events and Corporate Video, Events at Work, Dominguez Marketing Communications, Red Mobile, Budget hotel in Makati, Lucio C. Tan Group of Companies, and Blog4Reviews.com

* Sa mga nakapansin, yes high in sugar po ngayon ang author na ito sa panahong ito.

Also visit my other blogs, angsawariko.blogspot.com and filipinovoices.com

Will the 9th State of the Nation Address be President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s last?

Flow — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 17:38:40 +0000

The debate on which President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s 9th State of the Nation address this July 27, 2009 at the Batasan Complex will be her last. After the triumph on the Constitutional Assembly the rumor of her term extension is now the talk of the town as 2010 approaches if there will be no election next year which results to PGMA’s extension as president.

Last 2004 on her State of the Nation Address, she brought the idea of Charter Change where it will help on the political and economic stability of the country and now 2009 supporters of the administration succeed on bringing charter change in the form of Constitutional Assembly. Despite of the success that the administration congressmen to lobby Con Ass, multi sectoral group opposes on the idea and now will be focusing if PGMA will be doing the same act as the former President Corazon Aquino on her last SONA where she bids goodbye on her last year as the president of the Philippines and affirms that she is not interested to extend her term, where on that time it was a rumor of term extension.

Aside from the issue of Con Ass, PGMA should be working on the budget needed to allocated on the debts of the country, education and health. Also the Arroyo administration should have a framework on how they should solve the issue of unemployment and financial crisis due to global economic recession where Philippines is involve particularly on the export and foreign investment. PGMA should also have a strategy to combat terrorism both external and internal.

I hope the 9th State of the Nation Address of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo aside from it be her last is that she should be open on that is the current state of the country and not by telling lies that the country is “OK”.

*** You can watch the Live Streaming of the 9th State of The Nation Address of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from 4PM to 5PM only, Philippine Time, July 27, 2009. To watch click here.