Grilled Chiz: Lunch with an ex-Presidential candidate

So, Noynoy, where to?

Candidate yellow now has a watch
There are all sorts of ways to remember Cory Aquino and whatever it is that people think she did for the country.  A watch designed to commemorate the life and work of a woman hailed all around the world as the Philippine Icon of Democracy seems fitting. I'd probably buy the watch, if they made it in plastic - because that is all I can really afford.  The last fancy watch I had came from Bangkok, it was a Lolex, and it cost me several hundred Baht. It really looked like the real thing and I kept making jokes about the mispelled brand name. It was funny for about 15 minutes until my officemates started threatening me with bodily harm if I didn't shut up about it. As far as all t [.

Ara Mina petition gives Comelec kamot-ulo moment
Filipina sexy actress Ara Mina's decision to run for Councilor in Quezon City was met with a bit of celebration and some consternation for Comelec. Malayang Halalan, a blogger tracking developments leading to the country's election in 2010, put it rather well: With the coming of the election season, there is one thing we voters have come to expect: movie or TV stars who want to run for office—aspiring politicians looking to make the leap from being celebrities who make tons of money, to public servants who most probably, will still make tons of money.Among this crop of candidates is Ara Mina, who is running for councilor in Quezon City. Now I know what some of you are thinking&md [...

Stay away: Journalists warned off atrocity site
Journalists who covered the Maguindanao massacre site have been warned not to come back through text messages. On the face of it, the text messages appeared to be death threats aimed at discouraging journalists from getting more information about who committed the atrocity.  The NUJP, an organization of journalists, held an indignation rally for their fallen colleagues. So far, all Malacanang has done is to advise Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. and other suspects to turn themselves in for investigation. Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina, PNP spokesman, said that the PNP was not yet ready to summon Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. and his son Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampa [

Voter Education ad placements cornered by the Catholic Church?
I was wondering why Comelec Chairman Jose Melo seems to be content with a voter education budget of P70 Million -- a drop in the bucket what may be needed.  Is it because of the support of groups such as the PPCRV and other NGOs who have basically thrust themselves forward as the champions of voter education? I had a long conversation with a friend yesterday and he was sure that Melo would be counting on his close ties with the Catholic Church.  This closeness was said to be the reason why Comelec didn't grant Ang Ladlad's petition to become a party-list organization. He said that the Comelec's measly budget for voter education sets up a scenario where it will be necessary for th

Conflict in Mindanao will continue unless...
Forty six bodies have been recovered from the site of what is now being described as the biggest political massacre in the Philippines. The provinces of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat have been placed under a state of emergency. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is now being dared to get the Ampatuans, a clan that is claimed to have key to her poll victory in Mindanao in 2004. The dare has come from resigned Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, seizing the opportunity to communicate that he is quite independent from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and also convey an idea of how he intends to pursue peace in Mindanao. Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr., standard-bearer of the ruling L [