Dancing Tessie

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I may have neglected to blog about this particular item before: Senator Tessie-Aquino Oreta was seen triumphantly dancing, openly gloating, and even making faces at the opposition after winning the vote against opening the controversial envelopes. Her actions were immature and completely inapproppriate, no matter who she claims they were directed at.

It has been a costly indignity for her, earning her the wrath of negative public opinion, and forever marking her as “Dancing Balato Queen” of the Senate. I doubt she’ll ever be able to live down the people’s reactions to her immaturity.

Imeldificity!

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Let’s cut away from Erap for a moment to read a little news-bite in Asiaweek about Imelda Marcos, First Lady of Erap’s former patron the late ex-president and despotic dictator Ferdinand Marcos…

And after 30 years, they’re still shuddering. Official papers just made public reveal that Imelda Marcos, below, widow of the late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos, pushed the famed British reserve to the limit during what was supposed to be a private visit to London in 1970. Seething Foreign Office mandarins couldn’t complain that they weren’t warned, however. In a briefing by the British ambassador to Manila, the then first lady’s previous behavior abroad was described as “exigent, difficult, tactless and inconsiderate as it was possible to be.” Even her brother, Kokoy Romualdez, counseled that his sister was completely uncontrollable. But what really jarred were the tactics Imelda employed to be granted an audience with Queen Elizabeth, which diplomats said were tantamount to blackmail. “The Philippine effrontery is almost breathtaking,” one official fumed. “There are limits beyond which we cannot and should not go to meet Mrs. Marcos’ wishes.”

And today she still torments us with her existence.

Senatorial Tempers

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You know something? Senator Roco loses his temper with a lot more dignity than Miriam Defensor-Santiago. (With gritted teeth and a lawyerly tick, “He is NOT a member of this COURT!”)

EDSA 2?

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CNN’s latest bit on the Philippine political crisis. The crowd at EDSA is growing, and former president Ramos — an ex-general — has arrived from Hong Kong to make an appearance at the protest rally. We may be looking at a military coup to oust Erap before this week is out; I hear that elements in the Armed Forces are more loyal to Ramos.

The prosecution panel in the impeachment trial has officially resigned, unable to continue the impeachment case against Estrada in a Senate that is tainted with bias and blatant support for a corrupt, pro-Erap administration. Amidst heated tempers and raised voices by Senator Roco and the defense counsel, the impeachment court has been adjourned until the House of Representatives can decide on a course of action regarding the prosecution’s resignation.

A local newspaper publisher has disclosed the contents of the controversial sealed envelopes: bank documents related to the “Jose Velarde” account, totalling P1.206 billion (21M dollars), according to Pinoy Times publisher Eugenia Apostol. TV news reports say the suspected drawees include businessman Lucio Tan; Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. CEO Manuel Pangilinan, Jaime Dichaves; and Antonio Evangelista, who owns the company linked to the purchase of the “Boracay” mansion.

Or it may be something else in those envelopes. Heh heh.

Erap Resign?

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Raffy has revamped his page, and it is now called “have a nice day.” Sure, Raff. Uh, whatever you say. ;)

Oh, and I uploaded my new design for my homegrown design “business,” Simplesight, a venue for me to offer my HTML services to anyone who’ll pay. There are some cool wallpapers and logo screens there too, all made by yours truly.

Back on the Philippine political front, there’s a big rally later on Ayala, and the EDSA one is growing, with Cardinal Sin officiating a Mass at around noon. I’m hoping enough dissension spreads through the military and the government for a quick, decisive, anti-administration coup d’etat to break out, to oust the current corrupt incompetent in power.

If you’re interested in what else is happening over here in the Philippines, go to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, which has live breaking news updates on their front page.

Edsa II Starts

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Blatantly pro-Erap Senators, displaying absolutely no sense of impartiality or justice, yesterday voted NO to the opening of important evidence which could show President Estrada guilty of bribery and corruption. Immediately afterwards, the prosecution panel and Senate President Nene Pimentel resigned from their positions, and a People Power protest was launched. The revolution has started, people. The Philippines is standing up. We’re not going to take this travesty of justice anymore.

PRO-ERAP: The senators who voted against the opening of the sealed envelope:

Francisco “Kit” Tatad

Miriam Defensor-Santiago

Juan Ponce Enrile

Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan

John Osmeña

Tessie Aquino-Oreta

Anna Dominique Coseteng

Blas Ople

Robert Jaworski

Vicente Sotto III

Ramon Revilla

ANTI-ERAP: Those who voted for the opening of the envelope:

Senators Raul Roco

Franklin Drilon

Renato Cayetano

Rodolfo Biazon

Loren Legarda-Leviste

Juan Flavier

Teofisto Guingona

Sergio Osmeña III

Ramon Magsaysay Jr.

Aquilino Pimentel

Netcabins Gets Annoying

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Netcabins is beginning to annoy me. The server problems are fully excusable, since these are just the growing pains as they optimize their system, but their poor customer service is getting to me. The lack of advanced warning to users concerning major service changes and upgrades — like these new popup ads — is a glaring lapse, and these FTP login problems are getting worse and worse.

I’m watching these guys for improvement, because they still look very promising, but if these problems worsen, or if they don’t provide an inline banner to get rid of the popups soon, I may have to move again. Digital Rice is starting to look appetizing.

Tuna Melt with Rice

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I have cooked up a plate of butter-garlic-cheese fried tuna with rice, and am now wolfing it down with much gusto.

Broken Chair

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I have just come home from church to find — in a rather startling manner — that my chair is broken. It gave way under me. I will go to the bangketa outside the grocery later and buy myself a little plastic stool, so I can continue to comfortably sit at my computer desk.

My top-floor apartment window, 6 stories up, faces north towards the airport and the city, and today is a beautiful, clear day. The sun is out, but not searing, and there’s a delightfully invigorating wind blowing and dispersing the Manila smog, so I can see all the way to Ortigas, and even up to the mountains north of the city. What a pretty view for a relaxing Sunday afternoon! I’ll post a photo of it here sometime.

Just to cap off the experience, I have popped La Dolce Vita — music from Renaissance Naples, performed by the King’s Singers and Tragicomedia — into my CD player. Aaahhh, I simply adore ancient music from the Renaissance and early Baroque. Last Friday, I purchased a CD of Thomas Tallis’ Spem in Alium, and it was absolutely beautiful.