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Duterte’s Ombudsman appointments defied independence

Independence. That is one qualification of precedence prescribed by law, the RA 6770 or the Ombudsman Act of 1989, in considering appointments to the position of Ombudsman and the deputies. That law’s Section 5 insists on “persons of recognized probity and independence.”

Duterte’s Ombudsman appointments defied independence

Why no more Tulfo must be in the Senate

Both Erwin and Ben are currently in a statistical tie in surveys on the top senatorial candidates for this coming May elections. Their populist followers are expected to dismiss talks of their fallibility. The argument is that after all, what is the present Senate but a group of impartiality-challenged stooges of their political patrons. That basest of senates is now tolerated – how do you explain Willie Revillame landing within the top six of current surveys? Erwin is poised to land No. 1 in the elections, his brother Ben not far behind.

Why no more Tulfo must be in the Senate

The long wait for the Sara impeachment — Why?

What they (Makabayan Bloc) do know, however, is that the manifesto with the 1/3 signatures is being withheld until such time that there is concrete assurance of the Senate’s 2/3 vote. And that is what is being maneuvered during this Christmas break until Congress resumes on January 13.

The long wait for the Sara impeachment — Why?

Why did the Quadcomm not summon Vitaliano Aguirre?

Self-confessed hitman Arturo Lascañas was in the car with another DDS operative to drive Vitaliano Aguirre around town. Aguirre told Lascañas how to counter the breaking news about the human skeletal remains (in Laud quarry). His damage control was to lie: “Tell them the bones belong to World War II burials.”

Why did the Quadcomm not summon Vitaliano Aguirre?

The day we forgot about Mary Grace Piattos

The burning question of the day was -- who is Zuleika Lopez? There was an attempt by this writer to write about her in the recent past. Immediately after the article was published, friends from Davao city began messaging me. All pointed to one detail that I had not written – Zuleika was more than just a chief of staff.

The day we forgot about Mary Grace Piattos

The indispensable Fajarda couple

As Sara Duterte had left the helm of the Department of Education, Edward Fajarda and his wife Sunshine Charry also transitioned to the Office of the Vice President. They were not to be left on their own at the DepEd without her. They were to go wherever their boss goes. That was how indispensable they were to her.

The indispensable Fajarda couple