Saturday, February 25, 2006

EDSA and Proclamation 1017

It's 8.14 am

I just woke up and turned on the AM radio.

In Vice President Noli de Castro's weekly radio program, there was mention that the newspaper Daily Tribune was raided by the Philippine National Police. Details have yet to follow.

Yesterday, after the declaration of a State of National Emergency by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the National Telecommunications Commission met with KBP member TV and radio stations for dialogue. In that dialogue, managers of TV and radio stations were told that the government was empowered to seize their stations in pursuit of national interest. This would be done, apparently, if the TV and radio stations would broadcast calls or appeals that would be tantamount to inciting to rebellion. Or, if it is perceived that they would be sympathizing with enemies of the state.

In the Philippine Daily Inquirer, an article gives an account by an undisclosed source that AFP Chief of Staff Generoso Senga had been approached by General Danny Lim, purportedly to recruit him to move against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo by breaking the chain of command, withdrawing support from the President and joining anti-Gloria protestors in a rally at the EDSA Shrine. This is what had triggered yesterday's panic attack.

Talk among news reporters is that General Lim was only the spokesperson of the group aiming to oust Gloria. The actual group that would mount the coup d'etat was still in hiding.

Right now, there are people calling Proclamation 1017 or the declaration of a state of National Emergency, an attempt to enforce an undeclared martial rule.

Friday, February 24, 2006

EDSA Celebrations spread panic

I woke up early this morning with a text message from my elder sister telling me to wake up because Brig. General Danny Lim was arrested and put under custody.

Turning on the television and the AM radio to find out what all the fuss was all about, it seemed as if this was another coup d'etat preempted by the government. Allegations suggested that General Lim was at the head of some military backed attempt to oust President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

There are several rallies being staged in Makati, Quezon City and at or near the EDSA people power monument. The Government has declared the People Power monument a NO RALLY ZONE, but my guess is that this will probably lead to another scuffle between policemen and protestors.

Just now, Malacanang has come out with a statement saying that there had been an attempted coup d'etat. Video seen on ANC, GMA, ABS-CBN from different parts of the city don't seem to suggest that much of anything is happening. A couple of APC tanks were shown entering Camp Aguinaldo, supposedly to boost security around the camp. Container vans were shown being set up as barricades in front of the main gates leading to Malacanang Palace. There have been ABSOLUTELY NO VIDEO SHOWING GROUPS WITHIN THE MILITARY ATTACKING THE PALACE OR CAMP AGUINALDO.

Gloria Arroyo was said to be preparing to declare a state of emergency before noon today.

10:36 AM

ANC is now showing video of possibly a thousand people massing at the base of the EDSA shrine.

Monday, February 20, 2006

UP AND AT 'EM! PNTCC Championship Rounds at SIR!

Well, well, well...

Wouldn't you believe it? Jody Coseteng's last podium finish at the Subic International Raceway on February 12 landed him top spot points wise at the Philippine National Touring Car Championships 2005 season.

At 232 points, all he needs to do to ensure abolute victory is just to coast in 10th place in the final two rounds. Talking about this overwhelming lead over other championship contenders Kookie Ramirez and Louis Ramirez had led to several improbable upset scenarios, among which were the possibility of Coseteng suffering massive mechanical failure and thereby stop him from finishing the last two races. With Kookie currently at 2nd overall with 183 points, getting pole position in both of the last two races would win him a possible 50 points and beat Coseteng by just 1 point at 233. And while we're seriously considering this possibility, we might as well start buying thermal underwear because it'll start snowing in the Philippines pretty soon!

According to Lory Uy, the Queen of Team Velocity, Coseteng has never let up even in the face of a sure win. And even if the Abu Sayyaf or the Young Officers Union New Generation blew up Jody's car, no one would be surprised if Jody had a spare race car delivered via helicopter to Subic. HE-HE-HE!



One thing I am wondering about and quite a little sad about is that Jody will be winning the championship without Enzo Pastor in the grid. Oh man! Wouldn't I love to see Pastor's face. Last I heard of pastor was that he quit. Good bye, so long... Thanks for all the fish!

Oh, by the way, there was something the crew of Slipstream and other PNTCC race fans missed... The umbrella girls.... OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH baby... They are back.

It had taken Big Boss Richard Santos to round up our favorite honeys for that monthly trip to Subic, but they'll be there on March 4 and 5. We might even get them to wear bikinis and shake their thangs... Or then again, maybe not. We can all dream, can't we?

In any case, I promise to post better pictures of these girls or you could do yourself better by going to the Subic International Raceway.

This is me, Paul Farol, signing off for now.






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