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nicole did not fail us!

March 24, 2009 – 12:04 am

nicole has been victimized a second time. as atty. ursua said, this is not the language of nicole. besides, she was still nicole’s lawyer when the alleged sworn statement was made. hence, the alleged statement is highly questionable and what happened highly irregular in the bar of justice.

for all doubters out there. the korinas and pamintuans, tulfos and other stupidos, just consider how she was taken out like a pig (club neptune guard and credible witness attested) out of the club, and then after smith and company had gotten what they wanted, nicole, disheveled and unconscious, was dumped like garbage on the ground.

even without considering the rape (nicole was too drunk and not herself, how could the van misadventure been anything else but gang rape?), this is outrageous and criminal. a respectable person (that smith and companions are definitely not) would have returned her to the place where he got her. why should a pigsty-like prison not be the place for such soldiers who behave as though filipinos are their playthings to abuse and throw away any time?

shame on gonzales, the law office and lawyers who manipulated the situation. and disbarment? yes, please! but they should also be thrown away into the lower levels of dante’s inferno — the circle of evil counselors!

and here is the corroboration —


Here’s something that a UP law student, Rob Ty, wrote on the Nicole recantation. (He was  from the U.P.Paralegal Volunteers’ Organization. )

(http://robty. multiply. com/journal/ item/612/ Nicole_did_ not_fail_ us._The_justice_ system_did.)

Nicole did not fail us. The justice system did.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan’s words, not mine. But I completely agree with him.Let’s one thing straight: We are not the victims here. She is.

We’ve never been raped. Never been exposed to an overblown media circus.
Never been agitated in court. Never been harassed by reporters, lawyers and embassy men.
So when someone like Korina Sanchez announces on her AM radio station that Nicole is a disgrace to Filipino women everywhere (translated from tagalog), you can’t help but shudder.
So this is justice, this is hate.
It’s no wonder she left the country.

We are not the victims here. Yet, we are the ones who cannot forgive.
Here we are, sitting in our armchairs, waving our nation’s flags, our gender’s hopes, our nurtured concepts of justice.
But the thing is, we did nothing.
We let people like Raul Gonzalez change the prosecutors of the case.
We let people like NSA Norberto Gonzales change custody of Smith in the dead of the night.
We let the US embassy exert pressure on Nicole by withdrawing her US VISA.
We allowed countless women like Nicole to be gobbled up by the system, by the politics.
So who are we to judge?
Who are we to cast the first stone?

Truth be told, we’ve already used her up.
We got the conviction – which allowed us to question the VFA in the Supreme Court.
We got the Supreme Court decision.
What more do we want?
Maybe just more blood, sweat and tears.

what can we do?
Right now, if you really care for Nicole, you will support the drafting of a disbarment complaint against Daniel Smith’s lawyer.
Why?
At the time of the affidavit (March 12), Evalyn Ursua was still Nicole’s lawyer. She was only fired last Monday (March 16).
Smith’s lawyer violated a cardinal rule of legal ethics by talking to Nicole behind her lawyer’s back.
Why is this unethical? The legal reason is that it undermines a fellow attorney’s ability to handle her client’s case. It’s a form of disrespect for a colleague.
The practical reason is to prevent people from being tricked since the best defense against the opposing lawyer, is your own lawyer.

In the case of Camacho v. Pangulayan, a UP law professor accused some lawyers of directly negotiating with his clients in order to obtain an amicable settlement.
In effect, they ignored him even though he was the counsel on record.
The Court agreed with the professor and said that the failure to inform opposing counsel is an inexcusable violation of the canons of professional ethics and in utter disregard of a duty owing to a colleague.
The erring lawyer was suspended from the practice of law for three months.

Fast forward to the present:
Smith’s lawyer prepares a statement, has a junior associate (who, by the way, is a UP law graduate) notarize the document, and then asks Nicole to sign it as a condition for the release of her VISA and 100,000 pesos.
All this WITHOUT EVER consulting her counsel on record.

If Nicole had a lawyer, she might still have signed the affidavit. But it would have never looked this bad.
Take a look at paragraphs 6-10, which incorporate all the arguments the defense raised during trial.
ALL OF THEM.
And then take a look at the last sentence of the affidavit:
“I would rather risk public outrage than do nothing to help the court in ensuring that justice is served.”
The sentence brings a whole new low to the legal profession. I admit I am ashamed of what we have become.

Nicole left everything behind so she could start anew, and I don’t blame her.
Not one bit.

By fidelis | Posted in Issues | Comments (0)

celebrating the diamond year of the honor society of phi kappa phi

September 24, 2008 – 5:12 pm

PKP DIAMOND JUBILEE AWARDS AND CONTESTS

The U.P. Chapter of the most prestigious honor society, the Honor society of Phi Kappa Phi, is celebrating its diamond jubilee this year. Highlights of the festivities include the Diamond Jubilee Awards and Recognition, and the Contests of Excellence among all U.P. students.

Special recognition shall be given to members who have excelled in their fields thru the decades. The awards include the:

1. PHI KAPPA PHI LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS to the most outstanding member-achievers;

2. PHI KAPPA PHI DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS to those who have performed exceptionally in their fields of endeavor; and

3. PHI KAPPA PHI EXEMPLARY SERVICE AWARDS to those who have rendered meritorious service to the Honor Society Chapter with indefatigable and selfless dedication.

The search for the deserving awardees is ongoing. NOMINATIONS may be submitted by PKP members to the PKP Awards and Recognition Committee, Phi Kappa Phi Office, Alumni Center, U.P. Diliman, from September 20 to November 15, 2008. Nomination Forms are available at the PKP Office (Alumni Center, U.P. Diliman).

The DJ CONTESTS OF EXCELLENCE, ABOUT EXCELLENCE, FOR EXCELLENCE (IN THE ARTS, SCIENCES,TECHNOLOGIES, and other Disciplines) have also been launched among the U.P. STUDENTS OF ALL THE U.P. CAMPUSES. The categories include:

1. Best Visual Arts

a. Best Painting or 2-Dimensional art in any medium (oil, pastel, ink, multi-media, etc.) on 9 1/2” x 15” material (illustration board, canvas, or any material of the artist’s choice)

b. Best Sculpture or 3-Dimensional Art (any material)

2. Best Literary Work (Short story, Poem, Script, Play, Essay)

a. In English

b. In Filipino

3. Most Relevant/Significant Research/Project/Investigative

Study/Web page design in the Sciences/in Engineering/in IT

4. Most Outstanding Research/Project in the Social Sciences

5. Best Musical Composition for the HYMN of the PKP, U.P. Chapter

Cash Prizes and Certificates of Recognition await the Winners.

Entries must embody/signify/symbolize either of these PKP themes:

1. “Excellence” or

2. “Let the Love of Learning Rule Humanity.” (Philosophia Krateito Photon)

Deadline for Submission of Entries to any PKP Officer or at the Phi Kappa Phi Office, Alumni Center, U.P. Diliman, is on November 15, 2008. Non- U.P. Diliman entries may be submitted to the PKP Campus representatives, or to the student’s College Secretary.

The DIAMOND JUBILEE AWARDS AND RECOGNITION PROGRAM culminating the search and contests will be on January 16, 2009, the eve of the anniversary of the honor society, at 3:00 p.m. at Bahay ng Alumni, U.P. Diliman.

By fidelis | Posted in Issues | Comments (0)

reviewing the rgep

July 6, 2007 – 2:09 am

six years ago, the nemenzo administration came up with an “innovation” on the u.p. general education –a new framework that the g.e. council called the “revitalized general education program” or rgep. the new feature was to make the program consist of five courses (or fifteen units) each from the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. the students had the free choice and mix of any five courses from each domain , or from a menu of old and new courses to be offered as g.e. subjects. in effect, the original 66 units of “tatak u.p.” liberal education would be reduced to 45 units; and the liberal education became equated with the students’ liberality and liberty of subject choice. the move spawned great opposition from various quarters. but admin had its way and in june 2002 implemented what was to become a problematic legacy of dodong nemenzo and maris diokno.

can you imagine what the implications of the rgep have been? a u.p. student could graduate without having taken any communication skills or art and literature appreciation course; without any math or natural science course; without any philippine history or asian history! because each campus had its own set of g.e. courses, the “tatak u.p.” liberal arts program from u.p. diliman to u.p. mindanao became a hodge podge of electives from various colleges. because the non-engineering and non-science degree programs do not require any math or natural science course, their students glided on carpeted paths, spared the peyups experiences in math and nat sci! meanwhile the eng’g and science majors have to struggle with the most diificult courses!

five years after rgep, we reiterated our previous requests to review the program, but admin is taking its sweet time. ania metten!

By fidelis | Posted in Issues | Comments (3)

u.p. women take center stage!

March 11, 2007 – 3:06 am

cheers to all women! whooping cheers to all u.p. women!

u.p. women’s day. on march 12, 2007, 2:45 p.m., u.p. women will take center stage at the recto hall (conference hall) of the faculty center once again. on its fifth year, this celebration of the u. p. women affirms and asserts our various roles, endeavors, and accomplishments in the university and in the bigger society out there.
this year’s celebration takes greater significance as we honor not only more women at the helm of the autonomous units, together with our first woman president, and more women leaders in the university, and outside, but also the best of the up. female student, the embodiment of the hope of the u.p. women, the brilliance and achievement they can become.

a number of outstanding u.p. women will share herstories on march 12.

the champion of human rights. leading the u.p. women to honor and be honored is the chair of the commission on human rights, dr. purificacion quisumbing, whose very distinctive role in philippine society today cannot be over-emphasized. in the throes of the culture of violence and violation of human rights, especially women rights, the philippines finds an indefatigable fighter in chairperson quisumbing. no macho, no general can cow, can stop, can match this champ.

herstory as theater artist, and founder of teatrong mulat . university professor amelia lapena bonifacio is another institution. one of the stalwarts of the u.p. creative writing institute, she has nurtured a children’s theater cum puppet theater in the tradition of the javanese wayang but steeped in philippine culture. our multi-awarded playwright director has travelled to various countries in order to showcase our rich theatre culture. besides, tita amel has been the favorite of children for decades.

lyra garcellano.a ccp awardee for her non-traditional and engage art, our fine arts graduate has demonstrated in various exhibits not just her artistic talents but the influential brush she wields in contemporary art. one blooming artist to watch!
another artist, a sculptor and multi media arts director, will be sharing her experience as a university administrator, the chancellor of the seventh u.p. campus, the open university.

dr. gigi alfonso is grace personified, e-learning and e-tech refigured.

national scientist, dr. lourdes j. cruz. a biochemist and marine scientist, our beloved professor was recently recognized and conferred the prestigious title and rank for her contibutions to science, particularly to the biochemistry field of conotoxins. she is not ensconced in the ivory towers of the national academy of science and technology though. she has spent much time helping alleviate the plight of the marginalized too.

dr. priscelina legasto. our professor of comparative literature and literary critic will be sharing insights as an outstanding teacher. she has been accorded the distinction by the metrobank and the gawad chancellor.

how can a wisp of a girl be a summa cum laude of applied physics at 15? only the child prodigy, mikaela irene d. fudolig can tell us. and she will on monday.

after dr. sobritcheas’ update on “womancipation” in u.p. and on the state of violence against women on campus, an adaptation of the ilocano birthday ritual will be performed (again!) as a tribute to u.p. women. the poetry and drama of the roses and prof. noni zabala’s music will highlight the afternoon’s “kablaaw.”

padapadakam’ a kumabblaaw dayta naindaklan a sirib, laing, sayat, ken pintas dagiti babbai ti u.p.! apay-a-unayen!

By fidelis | Posted in Issues | Comments (0)

unsolicited and political

February 17, 2007 – 4:02 am

the comelec. suddenly the wimp (aka comelec) has adopted a tough stance, a whipboy role. abalos and his ventriloquists have made no nonsense pronouncements on implementing the law on posting of campaign materials. at first blush, the stringent measures, the threats of disqualification of violators project sincere attempts to redeem a badly tattered image. so much fuss and media mileage have not minimized the posters and tarps that have sprouted  all around, however. so much fuss and resources cannot distract us from the comissioners’ sins of omission and commision either. so much fuss and resources should have been devoted to investigating and punishing the garcis and generals involved in last elections’ cheating. so much fuss and resources should be spent in overhauling that body, in ridding it of its “fawning publicans.” so much fuss and energy should have been applied to testing foreign offers to help in the election automation.  so much sound and fury. signifying nothing.

manny pacman. why is every popular or popularized figure, in sports or showbiz, highly vulnerable to the political bug? can’t anyone punch in some common sense into pacquiao’s purported, or distorted desire for public service? instead of throwing away his money into campaign gimmicks and fattening the paunches and pouches of  political honchos, why does he not set up a foundation, a microfinancing system, a cooperative, rural schools, sports centers, infirmaries, and other projects that would help his people improve themselves, his city and province progress, and create another lasting monument to himself and his public service? (why, the u.p. college of human kinetics may even accept a million for a professorial chair named after him!)

independent kiko. when he kept ignoring the glaring piling evidence of election  canvassing cheating, i thought he had no principles. his loyalty to gloria eased out any modicum of integrity. then when gloria and her minions’ scams and abuses showed an uncertain, waning star, he started distancing himself from the perceived illegitimacy he himself helped enshrine. i thought then he had no balls. now that he has been adopted by the opposition and given a place in the uno turned go senate slate, he keeps announcing his being independent, unable to show an iota of support for his supposed team. i think he has lost his moorings. ah, no principles. ..no balls… no brains. (am reminded of the u.p. cheer — go back, go back, go back to the woods! cause you ain’t, you ain’t got the goods, you ain’t got the rhythm, you ain’t got the jazz, you ain’t got the brains that u.p. has!)

chavit. (twit chavit? you may get it!) when he blew the whistle on erap, chavit revealed that he and erap had siphoned off funds and jueteng money and that he was willing to go to prison with him.  why has he been scot free? and to think he voluntarily confessed his crime on national television?  hence, before voting time, why don’t we ask the ilocos sur citizens, of course, as discreetly as we can, what the guy is really like, his performance and his reputation in his own kingdom?   or is his kingdom out of this world? (just wondering.)

ay, ania metten! 

By fidelis | Posted in Issues | Comments (0)