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January 2009

Credibility in Blogging and the Libel Suit Against Blogger, Bambee de la Paz

Credibility in Blogging

Edit- Added January 14
If you came here because of an entry written by Manuel Viloria in “Credibility in Blogging”, let me make it clear. I don’t give a hoot if I have credibility or not. You can have it, Manuel Viloria. I can stop blogging today and still continue on with my goals in life. (edit on January 16, 2009Watch the Media in Focus episode on de la paz and Blogging, as I talk more about Credibility in Blogging.)

Manuel Viloria, author of that entry, Obliterated and “Credibility in Blogging” should offer a disclosure as well. (edit- January 17, 2009- Manuel Viloria and I discussed things personally and I felt he need not disclose anything if there is nothing to disclose. There is no feud. We agree to disagree. )

And now the main entry….

If I am not mistaken, I believe this is the first libel case filed against a blogger because of their blog entry. Another blogger survived a libel case but it was not about an entry he wrote but as the webhost of a libelous entry. The latter case was dismissed.

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Missy in Real Life and in Pet Society


My usual break at home consists of watching TV and multi-tasking with my macbook . Things have changed a bit the past month.

Meet Missy, my real live pet kitty and her online equivalent in Pet Society in Facebook. If you don’t know what pet society means, well it’s just a major distraction and a mindless activity but it helps me zone out when I am stressed or just want to be still.

In the world of Pet Society, you can play games, decorate your house and even bring gifts for your Face Book friends when you visit them. Now, I didn’t know that my adorable little Siamese kitty would enjoy it as much as I do.

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The Alabang Bribery Scandal and Drug Addiction in the Philippines

The case of the Alabang Boys (Brodett, Joseph, & Tecson) & the bribery scandal is confusing. Bribery? What’s new? After the early release of Claudio Teehankee Jr. last October, it does not surprise me that strings are being pulled once again.

Maybe that’s why I wasn’t too keen in figuring out the intricacies of the Alabang Bribery Scandal. You know, he said, she said. Who is telling the truth? My attitude took a positive turn when I tuned in to ANC News Channel this afternoon and heard the Congressional hearing of the Alabang Bribery Scandal. Two things caught my attention:

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War in Gaza Brings Children Casualties


Photo Credits to Yahoo News

“My children are dead, why am I alive?, a mother wailed in the funeral of her children.

I have lost count of the children casualties in war-torn Gaza. Is it 100 deaths so far? As I glanced at a newspaper’s photo of a father reaching out to his dead child, his companion was trying to hold him back. If I were there, I won’t hold back the father. I will allow him to wrap his arms around his child and cry all he wants. I have been there. A dead child looks like they are sleeping but just not moving. The reality of death is just too much to comprehend at that point. Let him wail. Let him hold his child. Let his tears flow. When death comes without warning, the shock and disbelief can be overwhelming. It is never in the natural order of things for a child to die before his or her parents, and this can be especially intense when the death is sudden and/or violent.


Photo Credits to Yahoo News

My heart reaches out to these children. Why do they have to die? I cannot fathom the pain of the parents even if I have been there. War is just senseless to me. A child’s death does not make sense. A parent should not have to bury their child.

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DAR Chief Nasser Pangandaman Appeal to Bloggers & My Appeal

January 5– News update Pangandaman kin face child abuse, injury raps over golf ‘brawl’ and Pangandamans file countersuit over golf brawl.

DAR Chief Nasser Pangandaman Appeal to Bloggers

Appeal to bloggers

Since Bambee’s blog, the story about the incident in the golf club spread through the Internet.

Bloggers condemned and some even put up a signature campaign for the Pangandamans’ resignation.

Pangandaman said his family is hurting because of the bad picture being painted on his name and family.

He appealed to bloggers to stop accusing them on the Web. The secretary even warned bloggers against karma.

““I appeal to the bloggers to stop this. They also have their families, they have parents and siblings. Our family is already hurting. I hope this doesn’t happen to you (bloggers),” the secretary said.

And here is my appeal to you:

Yes, DAR Chief Pangandaman, I hear you and I am just waiting for an Official Statement from your son Mayor Nasser Pangandaman, Jr. I only have unverified statements that did not come from your camp. Should Mayor Pangandaman not speak for himself? In the quest for fairness, I would also like to share the Mayor’s Official Statement to my readers.

I know your family is hurting just like the de la paz family. I hope that you allow justice to take its full course once the Prosecutor sees the charges on January 5. It is not surprising that some of us are calling for a signature campaign for a Pangandaman resignation. It is difficult for me to comprehend the fact that a 14 year old boy was beaten up not ONCE but twice.

Even if you say that Delfin de la Paz provoked you, the facts (based on incident report) are and which has to be proven in the Court of Law that :

1. a 14 year old had a bloodied ear and bruises on his face. (Possible violation of RA 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act)

2. You and your sons are public servants that should uphold the law. (Possible violation of Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees)


Photo screen cap taken from this GMA news video

A friend and senator Pia Cayetano in a comment in my blog entry says it all:

Whatever the story is, whatever versions there are, there is no justification for beating up people.. and a child! There is no excuse for such brutality.

No one has the right, not even a public official to take matters into his own hands. In fact, a public official should be the first to maintain peace and order.

Public office is a public trust. And the public officials involved here should make themselves available for investigation.

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A Laptop and Lap Cat on My Lap


It has always been my dream to have an affectionate and cuddly cat ever since Spitz died in 1985, the same day that Butch proposed marriage to me. Butch didn’t know Spitz died of course. He just called me long distance confirming the “pamanhikan”. Months before that when Butch and I were discussing marriage plans, he emphasized that Spitz just had to go because a cat makes him asthmatic etcetera. I hedged and hawed a lot and it disappointed Butch that I hesitated. Oh but didn’t he know that I grew to love my cat, my sleeping companion for years? Of course he didn’t. It baffles me now that Spitz died the same day Butch finalized his marriage proposal. Maybe Spitz felt it.

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