To be a journalist is to act like a "tribune" that essays the truthful "journal" of every story of our "times", big or small, front page or inside page, "BIG NEWS" or even the last story before the closing credits roll;
To be a journalist is to hold a "mirror" in front of you to regularly and faithfully check the convictions and principles of what a "free press" truly stands for;
To be a journalist is to sometimes embrace your own celebrity and be a "star" that sets and upholds the "standards" of what the Filipinos of " today " are fighting for;
Ang maging mamamahayag ay tulad ng isang "bulgar" na pahina na hindi puwedeng maging sisidlan ng anumang pagbaluktot sa katotohanan, bagkus siya pa ngang lagusan upang ito ay mai-"bandera" at mai-"balita" ang mga kuwentong dapat na marining at ma-"tiktikan."
Ang maging mamamahayag ay ang pagsisiguro ng pananatili at pagsulong ng isang "malaya" at walang kinikilingang pag-"PAPATROL" , sa bawat araw, "24-0ras" dahil ang bawat kuwento ay kailangang pulsuhan, may buhay, tila isang "NEWSBEAT" na kailangang ma-"CAPTURED" dahil walang take two sa isang breaking news, walang cut, walang re-take;
Ang maging mamamahayag ay maging "SAKSI" sa "SENTRO" ng bawat pahina ng kasaysayan upang ito ang mai-"BANDILA" sa sambayanan;
Ang maging mamamahayag ay DAPAT laging sa NGALAN NG KATOTOHANAN AT TUNAY NA PAGLILINGKOD.
ERAP COMES HOME TO SAN JUAN—A FREE MAN!
October 26, 2007
The decision of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to grant former President Joseph Estrada an absolute pardon was not really unexpected.
It was a decision — PGMA is expected to do. What is unexpected however is the timing of the granting of the absolute pardon and the President exercising her power to grant an executive clemency.
Even ERAP did not see it coming this soon. His lawyers were expecting this to be granted–the soonest was December of this year.
Hindi halos nakatulog si Erap kagabi—kahit nga ala una na ng madaling araw—nakakasagot pa sa text message sa kanya ng media.
It was given at a time when the Arroyo Administration is faced again with another controversy, a bribery story right in the doors of the palace and a kickback allegation involving a contract with ZTE Corporation of China pointing to the president's husband as one of the main benefeciaries, as alleged by the son of one of the most influential political figure and power broker in the country, House Speaker Jose De Venecia.
Hindi pa kasama diyan ang isa pang insidente na yumanig sa lahat—literally—ang Glorieta 2 blast na as of this day, hindi pa conclusive kung industrial accident nga o akto ng terorismo.
It did not help that in the official announcement read by Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio Bunye, it was mentioned that the president wanted to attain political reconciliation and stability.
The President herself defended her decision—saying this is part of her promise, a legacy she wants to leave behind, that is to heal the wounds left behind by EDSA 1, EDSA 2 and EDSA 3.
Kahit ano pa raw ang batikos sa kanya—handa siya sa anumang ibabato sa kanya kaugnay ng desisyong ito.
Isa rin sa kunsiderasyon ayon sa pangulo—panahon na para makapiling ng dating pangulo na makasama niya ang kanyang maysakit na inang si Donya Mary Ejercito.
Kung personal na allies ang paguusapan—isa sa pinakamalapit sa kanya na direktang nasaktan sa desisyong ito ay si dating Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "CHAVIT" Singson. Bago pa dumating ang araw na ito—nagpahayag na si Chavit—hindi katanggap-tanggap para sa kanya at para aniya sa takbo ng hustisya sa bansa.
But the decision Mrs. Arroyo made only signifies one thing—she is ready to turn her back on one of her post potent political ally, the star witness on the plunder case against Estrada, the former Erap friend who talked of jueteng controversy that led to EDSA 2 and the assumption of Arroyo in power in 2001.
Again—it's the timing.
What's the rush?
Who is rushing?
What is happening behind the scene?
May sagot sa mga tanong na ito.
But in the meantime—a son comes home today to be with his ailing mother.
Sa lahat ng batikos kay ERAP, may isang hindi puwedeng ipukol sa kanya.
Walang makakakuwestiyon sa pagmamahal at dedikasyong inilaan niya sa kanyang inang si Donya Mary Ejercito.
(wakas)








