{"id":1104,"date":"2006-11-30T10:18:52","date_gmt":"2006-11-30T02:18:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quezon.ph\/?p=1104"},"modified":"2015-11-24T01:20:32","modified_gmt":"2015-11-23T17:20:32","slug":"build-me-up-buttercup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quezon.ph\/2006\/11\/30\/build-me-up-buttercup\/","title":{"rendered":"Build me up, Buttercup"},"content":{"rendered":"
Tweet<\/a><\/div>\n

Sad news. Former first lady Victoria Quirino Delgado died last night in Amsterdam.<\/p>\n

As for the news… You know, it’s sort of like the song<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Why do you build me up (build me up) Buttercup, baby
\nJust to let me down (let me down) and mess me around
\nAnd then worst of all (worst of all) you never call, baby
\nWhen you say you will (say you will) but I love you still
\nI need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin’
\nYou know that I have from the start
\nSo build me up (build me up) Buttercup, don’t break my heart.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

But seriously folks. RG gives the lowdown on the gang bang that turned into the sound of one palm slapping<\/a>. Last night was supposed to be about amending the Rules of the House<\/a>, so that a resolution would be spared the procedures that normally accompany deliberations on, and passage of, a law. The usual suspects for their part, have already passed their own encouraging resolutions<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The papers elaborate how the game plan’s mutated: the Speaker vows a new constitution in 15 days<\/a>, with the House targeted to proclaim itself a unilateral constituent assembly on December 6<\/a>; then a plebiscite to be held before February 12<\/a>. The problem, as more than one paper reports today, is public opinion is still strongly divided<\/a> and may be turning hostile<\/a> to the idea. Well, with flimsy reasoning like this<\/a>,<\/p>\n

Considering the time constraints, ChaCha advocates led by over optimist Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. are considering postponing the 2007 polls by six months until Nov. 30, 2007. The reason for this, they say, is that the same ballot boxes for the scheduled 2007 polls will be the same boxes used for the plebiscite. The deferment will also enable computerized elections to be in place.<\/p>\n

The problem here is that even assuming that the ChaCha debates can be finished before Dec. 22, will there be enough time to educate and inform the people of the things at stake in Charter Change? More importantly, granted again that the House can educate and conduct a massive information campaign on what amendments to the 1987 Charter will be made and what form of parliamentary government will be proposed to the people, will the people accept them?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Who can blame increasing skepticism?<\/p>\n

Avelino Cruz Jr. says he never explicitly stated <\/a>the President considered martial law, despite press reports<\/a>. In Newsbreak<\/a>, there’s a revealing Q&A.<\/p>\n

Augusto de Viana<\/a> summarizes the story of the Bonifacio Monument the cornerstone<\/a> of which was laid in 1929 and the monument finished in 1933. Everything Supremo related can be found at Bonifacio Papers.<\/a> I understand Glenn May recently presented a new paper comparing the leadership styles of Bonifacio and Aguinaldo: let’s hope it will be available on line soon.<\/p>\n

American media is at odds with American officialdom as Iraq’s increasingly, and bluntly, reported as being in the grips of a civil war<\/a>. See History Unfolding<\/a>, the Belmont Club<\/a>, and TPM Cafe<\/a> for contrasting views on the situation.<\/p>\n

Just how thoroughly, does China bear down on the internet access of its citizens? One China expert argues, not as much as we think<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In the punditocracy, my column for today is Revolt of the Middle<\/a>, which you’ve encountered in this space in previous days. Juan Mercado<\/a> reflects on the Senate -and senators- past and present.<\/p>\n

The economy is disappointing<\/a>? Well, John Mangun<\/a> opines it’s like the President’s health -needs diet and exercise. Connie Veneracion<\/a> slogs through portions of the free trade treaty with Japan.<\/p>\n

\"24W<\/a>
\nIn the blogosphere: best typhoon-related blog heading: Typhoon Durian looks like a real stinker<\/a>. All the heavy-duty typhoon-related stuff, though, is at Typhoon2000.com<\/a> of course. On a mailing list I subscribe to, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center <\/a>was pointed out. Bunker Chronicles<\/a> says the weather is an intimation of Divine displeasure with the political situation.<\/p>\n

Torn & Frayed in Manila<\/a> on how cut-and-dried legal cases end up not that way at all.<\/p>\n

Another Hundred Years Hence<\/a> on why cities like Naga matter: they’re an opportunity to learn from Metro Manila’s mistakes and do things right.<\/p>\n

Check out Touched by An Angel<\/a>\u00a0which has made it to the finalist’s list in the “people’s choice” category in the 9th Philippine Web Awards<\/a> (for which I was asked to judge in some categories: see all the finalists<\/a>).<\/p>\n

I’m in need of a layout person who can layout manuscripts according to Lulu.com formats<\/a>. Please email me if you’re interested or know someone.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Technorati Tags: Blogging<\/a>, constitution<\/a>, history<\/a>, ideas<\/a>, media<\/a>, Middle East<\/a>, military<\/a>, philippines<\/a>, politics<\/a>, president<\/a>, state of emergency<\/a>, war<\/a>, Washington DC<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n