Summer 2008 Academic Adivisement Schedule for Education Students

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Summer 2008
ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT SCHEDULE

March 4, 2008 (Tuesday) - 4:00-5:00 p.m.
March 5, 2008 (Wednesday)- 4:00-5:00 p.m.
March 8, 2008 (Saturday)- 8:30a.m.-12:00nn
March 11, 2008 (Tuesday)- 4:00-5:00 pm.
March 12, 2008 (Wednesday)-4:00-5:00 p.m.
March 13, 2008 (Thursday)- 4:00-5:00 p.m


Please sign-up with FE MALLILLIN.



Dr. Ma. Celeste T. Gonzalez
Chair, Education Department

Invitation to the DISCS Programming Open

The Department of Information Systems and Computer Science cordially invites all undergraduate students to participate in the DISCS Programming Open!

Date: March 1
Time: 1:00 to 5:00
Venue: Faura Hall, Room 223

An individual programming competition, participants will be given four hours to solve up to 8 problems. The individual who completes solves the most problems in the least amount of time wins.

First prize: P5,000
Second prize: P3,000
Third prize: P2,000

Registration forms are available at the DISCS office at F209.

Talks and Seminars

A. Politics and the Responsibility of the Christian (LST THEO HOUR)

On the occasion of the 95th birth anniversary of Paul Ricoeur,
Loyola School of Theology
invites you to

Politics
and the Responsibility
of the Christian:
A Glimpse into the Thought of Paul Ricoeur


a Theological Hour with
Dr. Leovino Garcia


27 February 2008, Wednesday
10:15 a.m.
LST Cardinal Sin Center


B. Research Seminar: Some Flaws in Contemporary Macroeconomic Policy Analysis

Some Flaws in Contemporary Macroeconomic Policy Analysis:
Illustrations with reference to Australia

Dodo J. Thampapillai
Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
National University of Singapore

ABSTRACT: This paper deals with the conceptualization of environmental
capital (KN) as an explicit argument in frameworks that exposit
economic growth and performance. The omission of KN represents a major
flaw in macroeconomic policy analysis because the recognition of KN
affects the determination of productive capacity. Empirical
illustrations are offered with reference to Australia , Korea and the
United States . In the case of the Australian economy, policy
decisions are possibly being evaluated on income domains that exceed
the productive capacity dictated by KN.

Dodo J. Thampapillai is Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public
Policy and holds a Personal Chair in Environmental Economics at
Macquarie University, Sydney, and an Adjunct Professorship in
Environmental Economics at the Swedish University of Agricultural
Sciences at Uppsala. In March 2005, he was included in the list of
Eminent Environmental Economists by the UNESCAP to speak at the
Environmental Economics Symposium as part of the Fifth Ministerial Meetings on
Environment and Development at Seoul, Republic of Korea. Professor
Thampapillai has over 80 publications including seven books and nine
refereed monographs. He was also awarded the DFG Professorship
(University of Kiel, Germany 1999/2000) and SLU visiting Professorship
(Sweden- 1999/2000). He teaches macroeconomics and economic policy in
a global economy.

Date: February 28, 2008, Thursday
Time: 4:30-6:00PM
Venue: Ricardo Leong Center for Chinese Studies Conference Room (Rm. 206)
Ricardo and Dr. Rosita Leong Hall

For further information, please contact the Department of Economics at
loc. 5221-5222.


C. NUS Visit to Ateneo

Web news update (21 February)

For the latest bulletins, news and features on the Ateneo, visit the official university Web site: http://www.ateneo.edu. This week's home page stories:



BULLETIN



o The deadline for Ateneo School of Medicine & Public Health (ASMPH) student applications for SY 2008-2009 is March 31, 2008. Please call ASMPH at 635-9804 or 706-3086 for information.



NEWS



o AGS-DISCS software modules help make AP and Filipino more interesting

o Fr. Carlos Abesamis, Jesuit liberation theologian, 74


FEATURES



o Lessons from a Nobel laureate (Linked to INQUIRER.net)

o Statement of the Department of Political Science on the ZTE-NBN controversy

o Reclaiming our humanity (Homily delivered by Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ)

o The moment for communal action for truth, justice and hope (Watch & Pray Movement)

o SLB's statement on the ongoing Senate probe of the NBN-ZTE deal

o Databases on trial at Rizal Library: A wealth of information in cyberspace


SPORTS



o Beach Hut Challenge swim meet (ADMU vs. DLSU)

o AHS (Quezon City) Football Team is NCR champion!

o AHS Taekwondo team wins PAYA championship

o Women’s Football Update: One shining moment

o AHS loses to DLSZ in UAAP football, 0-1

o Eaglets finish second in UAAP



ANNOUNCEMENTS



o A concert for truth, accountability and reform, Feb. 25

o ICT4Health 2008 (International Symposium), Feb. 29 & March 1

o Interactive :12 Human Senses by Impy Pilapil, Feb. 22

o School of Social Sciences Open House, March 2

o Ateneo Summer Game Development Camp starts March 31

o Graduation 2008 Schedule

o Summer 2008 Graduate Seminar Workshops





Check for more updates in your Unit Homepage! Go to 'Ateneo this week' for weekly campus activities. We welcome news, features, and announcements from the Ateneo community. Please send your materials to commpr@admu.edu.ph. Thank you!

Schedule of APS Holy Week Triduum Recollections and Services

* * * * *
An Invitation to spend Holy Week in prayer and recollection

HOLY WEEK TRIDUUM
Recollections and Services
Chapel of St. Thomas More
Ateneo Professional Schools

Schedule of RECOLLECTIONS AND SERVICES
March 20 -- 22, 2008

Holy Thursday (March 20, 2008)

9:00 a.m. -- 12:00 p.m. Recollection
Speaker: Karel S. San Juan, SJ, PhD
Director, Emmaus Center

5:00 p.m. Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper
Presider: Fr. Lito A. Mangulabnan, SJ


Good Friday (March 21, 2008)

9:00 a.m. -- 12:00 p.m. Recollection
Speaker: Rev. Ari C. Dy, S.J.
Director, Jesuit Communications Foundation
Director, Chinese Studies Program
Loyola Schools, ADMU

4:00 p.m. The Lord's Passion
Presider: Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, SJ


Holy Saturday (March 22, 2008)

9:00 a.m. -- 12:00 p.m. Recollection
Speaker: Rev. Raymund Benedict Q. Hizon, S.J.
Principal, Ateneo de Manila High School

8:00 p.m. Easter Vigil Services
Presider: Fr. RB Q. Hizon, SJ

We invite our alumni, friends, relatives and benefactors to join us.
Admission to the Holy Week Triduum Recollections is free.

For inquiries/questions, please proceed to the APS CMO or Chaplain's Office
(ground floor)
Tel# 7292003 local 2120/2116


* * * * *
Garyn Valencia Sua
Assistant Campus Minister
APS Campus Ministry Office
Rockwell Center, Makati City
(02) 7292003 local 2120
gsua@aps.ateneo.edu

"All that I am sings of a God
who brings new life to birth in me.
My Spirit soars,
on the wings of my Lord."




--------------------
Susan del Rosario
Office Staff V
Ateneo de Manila University
Professional Schools
20 Rockwell Drive
Rockwell Center, Makati City
Tel. 899-7691 loc. 2102

Ateneo wins 2nd and 3rd place in the UP Java Cup, 1st place in Quizzardry, and first place in Inter-college Java Programming Contest!

A. Ateneo wins 2nd and 3rd place in the UP Java Cup!

The Department of Information Systems and Computer Science is proud to announce that two Ateneo teams placed second and third in the UP Java Cup held at the University of the Philippines, Diliman on 20 Feburary 2008.

Our two winning teams were:

Second Place
Ivan Clement 1ME
Clarisse Ligunas 1CS

Third Place
Wilhansen Li 2CS
John Patrick Manalo 3CS

First and fourth place went to the teams from UP Diliman. Twelve teams competed in all, representing six schools: Ateneo, Far Eastern University, St. Paul's College, University of Santo Tomas, UP Diliman, and UP Manila.

Congratulations to our teams! We are very proud of you!


B. Ateneo wins 1st place in Quizzardry!

The Department of Information Systems and Computer Science is proud to announce our team composed of

Ivan Clement 1ME
John Patrick Manalo 3CS

won first place in the Quizzardry contest hosted by the University of the Philippines, Diliman, on 20 Feb 2008.

Our second team composed of Daniel Go and Eric Sy, both 1CS, came in fourth. Second and third places went to UP Manila.

Twelve teams competed in all, representing Ateneo, Centro Escolar, Far Eastern University, St. Paul's College, University of Santo Tomas, and UP Manila.

Congratulations to our teams! We are very proud of you!


C. Ateneo wins first place in Inter-college Java Programming Contest!

The Department of Information Systems and Computer Science is proud to announce our team composed of

Ivan Clement 1ME
Wilhansen Li 2CS

won first place in the Inter-college Java Programming Contest hosted by the University of the East on 21 Feb 2008!

Second place went to FEU-East Asia while the University of Santo Tomas came in at third.

Other universities represented included the Technological Institute of the Philippines (Manila and Quezon City), SSC, PWU, and STI Recto.

Congratulations to Ivan and Wil!

Heights Creative Talk: Historical Fiction



You (yes, YOU) are cordially invited.

TUTOK KARGADO

The Ateneo Art Gallery

warmly invites you to the
opening of the exhibition

TUTOK KARGADO

featuring artists:

Jose Tence Ruiz
Mark Salvatus
Luv Diaz
Emmanuel Garibay
Buen Calubayan
Jay Pacena
Don Salubayba
Alfred Esquillo, Jr.

who are reacting for the artpieces of permanent collection of AAG by:

Vicente Manansala
Arturo Luz
Egay Fernandez
Aro Soriano
Antonio Austria
Cesare Syjuco
Brenda Fajardo
J.Elizalde Navarro
Madman from Malilipot

on Tuesday, 26 February 2008

6 oclock in the evening

SITUATION REPORT - Monday, 18 February 2008

SITUATION REPORT
(Monday, 18 February 2008)



The Situation Report of 18 February 2008, with relevant photos, is posted at
http://www.admu.edu.ph/index.php?p=120&type=2&sec=26&aid=4833

It may also be downloaded as a Word file from http://www.ateneo.edu/upp/sitrep_doc/Sitrep_180208.doc



POWER: Bellarmine Hall, East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI), Jesuit Residence, Bellarmine Field and the Church of the Gesu had power outage early Tuesday morning, 12 February due to cut-out fuses that tripped. Emergency power was provided by the generators of Bellarmine Hall, EAPI and the Jesuit Residence. The Church of the Gesu is not connected to a back up generator.



UPP electricians found that the cut-out fuses gave way because of a problem along the underground distribution cables. Tracing where the problem was took most of the morning. In the meantime, the Bellarmine Hall generator developed a problem after only an hour of operation. The solenoid starter had malfunctioned. The generator was activated only after 11:30 a.m.



The problem was traced to a short circuited line in the Bellarmine Field. This line had to be isolated and pulled out for replacement.



It may take a while to replace the defective cables as there is no stock available. In the meantime, there is no power available at Bellarmine Field.



SECURITY: SG ZALDY C MINGUITO found graffiti spray painted on one end of the pedestrian footbridge on the National Bookstore side while making his rounds at 12:05 a.m. Thursday, 14 February. The vandal evaded the guard. UPP personnel immediately painted over the graffiti at 8:00 a.m. of the same day.



Last Tuesday, 12 February SG LEMUEL A QUIBIDO found an envelope containing cash in the vicinity of Schmitt Hall. Anyone who lost money in the area around that time can visit the security office to claim the envelope.



Unlocked cars: The number of cars found unlocked by campus security is increasing.



Summary of Unlocked Cars: 4 to 9 February 2008

Date

Monday 4 Feb
Total (T)- 0
North Carpark (NC)- 0
East Carpark (EC)- 0
Central Carpark (CC)- 0
Bellarmine Carpark (BC)- 0
Diversion Carpark (DC)- 0

Tuesday 5 Feb
T - 6
NC - 3
EC - 3
CC - 0
BC - 0
DC - 0

Wednesday 6 Feb
T - 10
NC - 0
EC - 0
CC - 3
BC - 3
DC - 4

Thursday 7 Feb
T - 5
NC - 0
EC - 1
CC - 4
BC - 0
DC - 0

Friday 8 Feb
T - 10
NC - 1
EC - 4
CC - 3
BC - 2
DC - 0

Saturday 9 Feb
T - 4
NC - 0
EC - 0
CC - 4
BC - 0
DC - 0

Overall Total: 35

Summary of Unlocked Cars: 11 to 16 February 2008

Date

Monday 11 Feb
T - 10
NC - 1
EC - 2
CC - 3
BC - 2
DC - 2

Tuesday 12 Feb
T - 5
NC - 4
EC - 0
CC - 1
BC - 0
DC - 0

Wednesday 13 Feb
T - 9
NC - 4
EC - 3
CC - 1
BC - 0
DC - 1

Thursday 14 Feb
T - 14
NC - 7
EC - 2
CC - 2
BC - 3
DC - 0

Friday 15 Feb
T - 6
NC - 4
EC - 1
CC - 1
BC - 0
DC - 0

Saturday 16 Feb
T - 6
NC - 0
EC - 0
CC - 6
BC - 0
DC - 0

Overall Total - 50

Motorists are requested to cooperate in preventing carnapping and losses in the campus by locking their vehicles.


ldm180208


Please email comments to iescuadro@ateneo.edu
Visit the University Physical Plant website at http://www.ateneo.edu/index.php?p=472

Summer Activities

A. ADMU-SYSU Summer Exchange Program

The Chinese Studies Program is pleased to announce the:

ADMU - SYSU SUMMER EXCHANGE PROGRAM

Study Mandarin and immerse yourself in Chinese culture via the Ateneo
de Manila University ? Sun Yat-sen) University Summer Exchange
Program. Live in historic Guangzhou (Canton) for your summer term and
earn 9 units of credit for a minor or major in Chinese Studies.

Schedule: 6 weeks (summer term of ADMU, April 14-May 24, 2008)
Courses: 6 units of Chinese language, 3 units of Cross-Cultural Communication
Estimated total expenses: 50,000-60,000 pesos inclusive of tuition,
airfare, board and lodging

This program is open to all non-graduating students of ADMU who have
taken at least 3 units of Chinese language. Interested students should
submit a letter of intent indicating their reasons for availing of the
program. Letters should be addressed to Ellen Palanca, PhD, director
of the Chinese Studies Program, and submitted by February 29, 2008 to
the Chinese Studies Program, 2nd floor Leong Hall. There are only 16
slots available.


B. Summer 2008 Study Tour

The Department of Modern Languages
School of Humanities

would like to invite interested students to

SUMMER 2008 STUDY TOUR TO FRANCE, GERMANY AND SPAIN.
(FRANCE - CLOSED ALREADY)
(GERMANY AND SPAIN ARE STILL OPEN)

Details are as follows:

3000 EUROS INCLUSIVE OF THE FOLLOWING:

- Roundtrip Airfare, tuition and materials abroad, board and lodging (with 3
meals a day), cultural program, transportation (transfer within France,
Germany and Spain).

NOT INCLUSIVE OF THE FOLLOWING:

Health insurance, Philippine tax, Airport fees, Schengen visa, tuition in
Ateneo (6 units)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

F R A N C E:

April 12 - May 4, 2008

2 weeks in Montpellier
1 week in Paris

Mornings:
- French Language Classes All Levels (Monday to Friday)

Afternoons and Weekends:

Cultural Activities
- Notre Dame, Louvre, Montmartre, excursions, wine tasting, cruising on the
Seine, home stays with French families

****************************************************************************

G E R M A N Y

April 5 - 28, 2008

2 weeks in Hamburg
1 week in Berlin

Mornings:

- German Language Classes, All Levels (Monday to Friday)

Afternoons and Weekends:

Cultural Activities
- City tours, Beer brewery, Excursion to North Sea, Air Bus Hangar, Bundesliga
Game HSV, Reichstag (Parliament), Castles, Museums


*****************************************************************************

S P A I N

April 4 - April 26, 2008

3 days in Barcelona
2 weeks in Salamanca
4 days in Madrid

Mornings:
- Spanish Language Classes, All levels (Monday to Friday)

Afternoon and Weekends:
Cultural Activities
- City tours, Museums, Landmarks, Flamenco and Salsa, Cities (Segovia, Avila,
Toledo), Cooking, Concerts

*****************************************************************************

For more information pls. visit the Dept. of Modern Languages, 2nd Floor, De
la Costa Hall or call 426-60-01 Loc. 5350 & 5351.

Request for assistance from Efren Debulgado

18 February 2008

Dear Members of the Ateneo Commnity:

Please find below a letter of request for financial assistance from one of our technical personnel, Efren Debulgado, which is self-explanatory. Please feel free to communicate directly with Efren at: edebulgado@ateneo.edu or via his local extension no. 4094 or his mobile number: 0919/490-9016.

May we request for your continued prayers for Minda and the Debulgado family.

Thank you and God bless.

Jun Dalandan
Office of University Development & Alumni Relations


----------

I am Efren A. Debulgado of the Office of University Development and Alumni Rerlations. I write to you to seek your kind assistance to help my wife, Luzviminda “Minda” C. Debulgado, undergo medical treatment.

My wife, Minda, was diagnosed on January 28, 2008 with breast cancer, stage 3. Her doctors at The Medical City, Dr. Geraldine Remucal and Dr. Eugenio Regala (AHS’86), said she needs to undergo 4 to 6 sessions of chemotherapy before a breast operation. After the breast operation, Minda may need to have further chemotherapy sessions, or radiation.

Having had to undergo several tests at The Medical City prior to her first chemotherapy today, 15 February, my AsianLife Assurance Health benefit is down to a Php25,000.00 balance for the year. I am afraid that the allocation will soon be exhausted and I have no savings for the necessary medication for my wife. Minda is unemployed and has no health plan. I am humbly looking for financial assistance. We are also looking forward to continuing with the full treatment hopefully at the PGH, so any resources we will be able to loan and secure can stretch better.

According to Dr. Regala, chemotherapy is around Php40,000.00 per session. I do not know what the doctors’ professional fees will be.

I am appealing to your kindness to help save my wife, Minda. Please also include Minda and me in your prayers. With the kind intercession of our Almighty Father, Minda and I will hopefully be able to overcome this medical difficulty in our life.

Respectfully,


Efren A. Debulgado
Office of University Development & Alumni Relations
Ateneo de Manila University


Noted:

Romeo A. Dalandan, Jr.
Director for Alumni Relations

Events, Statements, and Information Concerning the NBN-ZTE Scandal

A. Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ Homily at LSGH Sun Mass



RECLAIMING OUR HUMANITY

MASS FOR JUN LOZADA

LA SALLE GYMNASIUM, GREENHILLS

17 FEBRUARY 2008



On this Second Sunday of Lent, during which we are asked to reflect on the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ, I wish to touch on three themes that have to do with our moral transformation as a people: first, Ascertaining Credibility; second, Rediscovering our Humanity; and third, Witnessing to the Truth. In so doing, I hope to invite all of you to reflect more deeply on how we, as a nation, might respond to the present political crisis in which our identity and ethos, our convictions and integrity, in fact, who we are as a people, are at stake.



I. ASCERTAINING CREDIBILITY



Jun, as Sen. Miriam Santiago has grilled you to ascertain your credibility (or was it to undermine your credibility?), allow me to raise some important questions to consider in the very process of discerning your credibility. Allow me to do so by drawing on my own counseling experience.

Very often, a young rape victim initially suppresses his or her awful and painful story, indeed wills to forget it, in the hope that by forgetting, he or she can pretend it never happened. But very often, too, there comes a point when concealing the truth becomes unbearable, and the desperate attempts to supposedly preserve life and sanity become increasingly untenable.

At this point the victim of abuse decides to seek help. But even after having taken this step, the victim, devastated and confused, will tell his or her story with much hesitation and trepidation. It should be easy to imagine why. In telling the truth, one risks casting shame on himself or herself, subjecting oneself to intense scrutiny and skepticism, and jeopardizing one's safety and those of his or her loved ones, especially when one dares to go up against an older or more powerful person.



Similarly, it is easy to imagine why Jun would initially refuse to challenge the might of Malacanang. Who in his or her right mind would accuse Malacanang of crimes against our people and implicate the First Family in a sordid tale of greed and corruption, knowing that by doing so, one endangers one's life and the lives of his or her loved ones? We are, after all, living in dangerous times, where the government has not hesitated to use everything in its power to keep itself in power, where it has yet to explain and solve the numerous cases of extra-judicial killings.

But Jun is in his right mind. His story rings true especially in the face of the perils that he has had to face. And by his courage, Jun has also shown that it is not only that he is in his right mind; his heart is also in the right place.

Hence, my personal verdict: Jun, I believe that you are a credible witness. And if hundreds have gathered here this morning, it is probably because they also believe in you. Mga kapatid, naniniwala ba kayo kay Jun Lozada? Naniniwala ba kayo sa kanyang testimonya? Kung gayon, palakpakan po natin ang Probinsyanong Intsik, si Mr. Jun Lozada.

Jun, we hope that by our presence here, you may find some consolation. Pope Benedict XVI writes that "con-solatio" or consolation means "being with the other in his or her solitude, so that it ceases to be solitude." Jun, be assured that your solitude is no longer isolation as we profess our solidarity with you. Hindi ka nag-iisa. We are committed to stay the course and to do our best to protect you and your family and the truth you have proclaimed.





II. REDISCOVERING OUR HUMANITY



What makes Jun a credible witness to us?

I think Jun is credible not simply by virtue of his being an eyewitness to the unmitigated greed of some of our public officials. Perhaps more importantly, Jun is credible because he has witnessed to us what it means to be truly human.

Which leads me to my second theme: What does it mean to be human? How might we rediscover our humanity?

Allow me to quote Pope Benedict XVI, who in his latest encyclical, Spe Salvi, has written: "the capacity to accept suffering for the sake of goodness, truth and justice is an essential criterion of humanity, because if my own well-being and safety are ultimately more important than truth and justice, then the power of the stronger prevails, then violence and untruth reign supreme. Truth and justice must stand above my comfort and physical well-being, or else my life becomes a lie. . . For this … we need witnesses—martyrs …. We need them if we are to prefer goodness to comfort, even in the little choices we face each day."

Our Holy Father concludes, "the capacity to suffer for the sake of the truth is the measure of humanity."

Isn't this the reason we emulate our martyrs: Jose Rizal, Gomburza, Evelio Javier, Macli-ing Dulag, Cesar Climaco and Ninoy Aquino? They have borne witness for us what it means to be truly human—to be able to suffer for the sake of others and for the sake of the truth.



I remember Cory recalling a conversation she had with Ninoy while they were in exile in Boston. Cory asked Ninoy what he thought might happen to him once he set foot in Manila. Ninoy said there were three possibilities: one, that he would be rearrested and detained once more in Fort Bonifacio; two, that he would be held under house arrest; and three, that he would be assassinated.

"Then why go home?" Cory asked.

To which Ninoy answered: "Because I cannot allow myself to die a senseless death, such as being run over by a taxi cab in New York. I have to go home and convince Ferdinand Marcos to set our people free."



Witnessing to one's deepest convictions, notwithstanding the consequences, is the measure of our humanity. Proclaiming the truth to others, whatever the cost, is the mark of authentic humanity.

Jun, we know you have feared for your life and continue to do so. But in transcending your fears for yourself and your family, you have reclaimed your humanity. And your courage and humility, despite harassment and calumniation by government forces, embolden us to retrieve and reclaim our humanity tarnished by our cowardice and complicity with sin in the world. You have inspired us to be true to ourselves and to submit to and serve the truth that transcends all of us.





III. WITNESSING TO THE TRUTH



This leads us to our third and last theme: witnessing to the truth. In his encyclical, Pacem in Terris, Pope John XXIII exhorts that it is the fundamental duty of the government to uphold the truth: "A political society is to be considered well-ordered, beneficial and in keeping with human dignity if it grounded on truth." Moreover, the encyclical explains that unless a society is anchored on the truth, there can be no authentic justice, charity and freedom.

Every government is therefore obliged to serve the truth if it is to truly serve the people. Its moral credibility and authority over a people is based on the extent of its defense of and submission to the truth. Insofar as a government is remiss in upholding the truth, insofar as a government actively suppresses the truth, it loses its authority vested upon it by the people.



At this juncture, allow me to raise a delicate question: At what point does an administration lose its moral authority over its constituents?

First, a clear tipping point is the surfacing of hard evidence signifying undeniable complicity of certain government officials in corruption and injustice, evidence that can be substantiated in court.

Hence, during the Marcos Regime, the manipulation of Snap Election results as attested to by the tabulators who walked out of the PICC was clear evidence of the administration's disregard for and manipulation of the collective will of the people in order to remain in power..

During the Erap Administration, the testimony of Clarissa Ocampo, claiming that Pres. Erap had falsified Equitable Bank documents by signing as Jose Velarde, was the smoking gun that triggered the rage of our people.

Allow me to respond to the same question by pursue an alternative track of argument: an administration loses it moral authority over its people when it fails in its fundamental duty to uphold the truth, when it is constituted by an ethos of falsehood. When a pattern of negligence in investigating the truth, suppressing the truth and harassing those who proclaim the truth is reasonably established, then a government, in principle, loses its right to rule over and represent the people.



Regarding negligence: Do the unresolved cases, such as the the failed automation of the national elections, the fertilizer scam, the extra-judicial killings, and the "Hello, Garci" scandal, constitute negligence on the part of the GMA Administartion to probe and ferret out the truth?

Regarding covering-up the truth: Does the abduction of Jun Lozada and the twisting and manipulation of his narrative by Malacanang's minions constitute concealment of the truth? Was the padlocking of the office of Asst. Gov't Counsel Gonzales who testified before the Senate regarding the North Rail project anomaly an instance of covering-up the truth?

Regarding the suppression of the truth: Does the issuance and implementation of E.O. 464, which prevents government officals from testifying in Senate hearings without Malacanang's permission, constitute suppression of the truth? Was the prevention of AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Senga and six other officers from testifying before the Senate with regard the "Hello, Garci" scandal tantamount to a suppression of the truth? Was disallowing Brig. Gen. Quevedo, Lt. Col Capuyan and Lt. Col. Sumayo from appearing before the Lower House an instance of hindering the truth from surfacing?

And regarding harassment of those who proclaim the truth: Are the abduction of Jun Lozada and the decision to court-marshall Gen. Gudani and Col. Balutan for disregarding Malacanang's order not to testify before the Senate examples of punishing those who come forth to tell the truth?



By conflating one's responses to all these questions does one arrive not at hard evidence showing culpapility on the part of some government officials, but a ghestalt, an image which nonetheless demands our assessment and judgment. I invite all of you then to consider these two methods of evaluating and judging the moral credibility of any government, the moral credibility of our present government.



Allow me to end with a few words about an Ignatian virtue, familiaritas cum Deo. To become familiar with God involves the illumination of the intellect, coming to know who God is and what God wills. But it also involves the conversion of the affect, the reconfiguration of the heart. Becoming familiar with God entails trasforming and conforming my thinking, my feeling and my doing in accordance to the Lord's, which can only be the work of grace.

Familiarity with God thus entail rejoicing in what God delights—the truth; abhoring what God detests—falsehood; being pained by what breaks the heart of God—the persecution of truth-seekers. Familiary with God means sharing the passion of God for the truth and the pathos of God whenever the truth and the bearers of truth are overcome by the forces of the lie.

On this Second Sunday of Lent, as we contemplate the transfiguration of Jesus Christ on Mount Horeb, we pray that our hearts and minds be so transfigured and so conformed to the mind, heart and will of the Jesus, our way, our life, and our truth.

May the Lord bless and protect you, Jun, and your family. May the Lord bless and guide us all into the way of truth. Amen.


B. Brief Timeline of the ZTE-NBN Scandal

Source: www.philstar.com

2006

October - The Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) first broaches the possibility of a National Broadband Network (NBN) deal to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

Nov. 21 – NEDA Secretary Romulo Neri and Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) chairman Ramon Sales endorse the NBN project to President Arroyo in a Cabinet meeting. Mrs. Arroyo declares that she wants a build-operate-transfer (BOT) scheme for NBN implemented.

Dec. 5 – Amsterdam Holdings Inc. (AHI) sends an unsolicited proposal for the NBN project to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) worth $240-million at its own expense.



2007

February - Chinese firm Zhong Xing Telecommunications Equipment (ZTE) makes its own bid for the NBN project for a complete network for $300 million.

Feb. 20 - NEDA Secretary Romulo Neri requests DOTC to reconcile three projects discussed in the Cabinet -- the cyber-education plan of the Department of Education (DepEd), and the competing NBN proposals of Amsterdam Holdings Inc. and ZTE Corp

March 1 - Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza CICT chairman Ramon Sales submit a report to Neri

March 14 – US company Arescom submits a proposal to supply NBN hardware to DOTC for $135 million.

March 18 – AHI officials complain in a letter to the (DOTC) of bias over the Chinese firm.

March 26 – Neri expresses reservation over the NBN project in a technical board meeting.

March 29 - The NEDA Board and its Investment Coordinating Council — composed of Cabinet members — approve the NBN project.

March 30 – Columnist Jarius Bondoc first writes about the brewing storm involving ZTE and AHI over the NBN project.

April 20 – US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney writes to NEDA chief Romulo Neri, expressing “worries” over the upcoming signing of the NBN deal with ZTE.

April 21 – The Philippines and China -- through Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza and ZTE Corp. vice president Yu Yong -- sign a contract for the NBN project during President Arroyo’s visit to Boao, China. Total project cost is $330 million.

June 5 – Sales abruptly resigns as CICT chair.

June 18 – Bondoc publishes e-mail letter from Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) Graft Investigation Officer Vida Bocar requesting for documents on the ZTE deal; Bocar is sacked from her post on the same day.

June 20 - DOTC Assistant Secretary Lorenzo Formoso admits that the ZTE contract, of which there were two ‘sovereign’ copies, had gone missing but adds that they were “reconstituting” it from previous copies.

July 27 – Neri is transferred from the Cabinet-level NEDA to a lower post as head of the Commission on Higher Educaction (CHED).

July 30 – The Department of Justice approves the contract, saying that it is ‘legal’ and ‘valid.’

July 31 – Iloilo Vice-Gov. Rolex Suplico files a taxpayer suit at the Supreme Court questioning the NBN project with ZTE.

August 25 – The Philippines signs the loan agreement with China to fund the purchase of ZTE equipment.

August 27 – Bondoc reveals in his column the so-called hotel ‘sexcapades’ of a high-ranking poll commissioner in China and eight other trips to Hong Kong made from September 2006 to February 2007 by the official.

August 29 ­– Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Carlos Padilla accuses Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Benjamin Abalos of involvement in the ZTE contract and tagged him as the poll commissioner being referred to in Bondoc’s column.

August 30 – Abalos admits in a radio interview that he had indeed traveled to China four times but only to play golf with ZTE officials, whom he says he met through his daughter, who is in the import business. Finance Secretary Gary Teves also admits Abalos was the one who introduced him to the ZTE officials.

September 1 – Teves recants his statements of meeting with ZTE officials with Abalos at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club.

September 3 – Malacañang gives a gag order to Cabinet officials on the ZTE issue.

September 7 – Jose "Joey" de Venecia III, a major stockholder and founder of AHI, admits he was offered a $10-million bribe by Abalos in an interview.

September 11 – The SC files temporary restraining order against the NBN project

September 18 – At the first Senate hearing of the blue-ribbon committee on the NBN project, De Venecia reiterates his earlier assertions , adding that First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo told him to “back off” from the deal during a “reconciliatory” meeting at Wack-Wack.

September 19 – First Gentleman Mike Arroyo denies intimidating anyone at Wack Wack.

September 23 – President Arroyo orders indefinite suspension of ZTE contract.

September 26 – At the second Senate hearing of the NBN project, Neri admits Abalos' bribery try at Wack Wack in exchange for his endorsement of the ZTE contract and reportedly infomed the President about it. Neri, however refused to disclose why President Arroyo went ahead with the project, invoking executive privilege. Abalos denies the allegations.

October 1 – Abalos resigns from the Comelec, saying that he wants to clear his name without dragging his office down.

October 3 – President Arroyo scraps the ZTE contract.

October 4 – Senate goes on session break. Criticism by opposition senators force committee chairman Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano to schedule first hearing after break on Oct. 25

October 9 – NEDA acting chairman Augusto Santos refuses to hand documents pertaining to the NBN to the Senate, invokling "executive privilege."

October 10 – Neri disputes NEDA's claim that documents can be withheld by invoking "executive privilege." He says the documents are public in nature.

October 23 – First Gentleman Jose "Miguel" Mike Arroyo says he won’t attend a Senate hearing due to health reasons. Joey de Venecia also reveals that there is a plot to kill him by Mendoza, Communications Assistant Secretary Reynaldo Berroya, and Bureau of Corrections director Ricardo Dapat. Mendoza, however, denies the charge.

October 25 – Senate hearing resumes.



2008



Jan. 30, 2008 - Philippine Forest Corp. president Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr., an IT expert who allegedly knows how the ZTE contract was overpriced, flies to Hongkong two hours before the start of the Senate inquiry. The Senate orders his and Neri’s arrest.



Jan. 31, 2008 - The Senate attempts, but fails, to arrest Neri in his office at the Commission on Higher Education because he did not report for work.



Feb. 1, 2008 - The Senate sergeant-at-arms fails to arrest Neri in his house.


Feb. 5, 2008 - The Supreme Court orders the Senate not to arrest Neri. Lozada arrives from Hongkong at 4:40 p.m., but reports and text messages circulates that airport officials have kidnapped him. Malacañang denies any involvement in Lozada’s disappearance.


Feb. 6, 2008 - Philippine National Police Chief Avelino Razon in the morning says he wasn’t aware of Lozada’s whereabouts. Arthur Lozada, Rodolfo’s brother, files a writ of amparo before the Supreme Court. Arthur’s wife, Violeta, files a separate writ of habeas corpus. Razon says later in the day that Lozada is in police custody.


Feb. 7, 2008 - Lozada, in a 2 a.m. press conference at La Salle Greenhills, links Abalos and First Gentleman Mike Arroyo to the US$329.5-million national broadband deal with ZTE Corp. He reveals that:



- Abalos threatened to have him killed.



- When he quit the project in Jan. 18, 2007, the project was priced at $262 million, but when it was approved it was already $329.5 million.



- That Abalos had wanted a kickback of $130 million, with $70 million meant for Mr. Arroyo.



- He did not know the people who took him and that Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza had him fetched from the airport.



- He has no direct line to the President and that it was Secretary Neri who talked to her about the deal.







Manalangin. Manindigan. Makialam

Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan


C. Invitation to Team RP Concert for Truth, Accountability and Reform

Stand up and make our voices count!


A CONCERT FOR TRUTH,
ACCOUNTABILITY AND REFORM

Monday, February 25, 2008
4-8PM
Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City
(between Gates 2 & 3)





In light of the recent happenings (ZTE Broadband Deal) in our society, it's time that the voice of the Filipino Youth be heard! Let us make our voices count with some of this generation's most relevant musicians and personalities.
Be part of the pursuit of TRUTH, REFORM, and ACCOUNTABILITY in our government and sign up to be a TEAM RP VOLUNTEER.




THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING!





For more information, contact:



Ms. Reese Fernandez

Programs Head, Team RP
Tel: (02) 426-5657
reesefernandez@yahoo.com


Admission to the Concert is Free!
Please help by passing this on to your friends!


D. Let the Truth Be Told: Statement of the Ateneo Political Science Department

LET THE TRUTH BE TOLD
Statement of the Ateneo de Manila University Department of Political Science
on the ZTE-NBN Controversy


The events leading to, during and after the testimony of star witness
Rodolfo Jun Lozada on the anomalous US$330 million national
broadband network deal with Chinese company ZTE depict a classic tale
of how allegations of corruption, abuse of power and human rights
violations are and have been addressed under the government of Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo: evade, deny and cover-up. For more than five years
now, this modus operandi has kept the government barely stable, albeit
hounded by unresolved cases that have piled up over the years: failure
to automate and modernize the elections, alleged fraud during the 2004
presidential elections, the fertilizer scam, and extrajudicial
killings among the most prominent with the NBN-ZTE deal as the most
recent.

As a response to these scandals, the Arroyo government has not
hesitated in deploying mechanisms meant to suppress the truth behind
the allegations. For three consecutive years , 2005, 2006, and 2007,
Arroyo's allies in the House of Representatives have made a sham out
of the impeachment proceedings by filing weak complaints, suppressing
evidence and harassing members of the opposition in congress. In 2006,
Arroyo issued Executive Order 464 (EO464) prohibiting members of the
cabinet from testifying in congressional investigations without her
prior approval. While the Supreme Court has in broad strokes already
decided against the legality of the said order, Arroyo has yet to
revoke the directive. During the Senate hearings on the NBN-ZTE
controversy in the past months, Arroyo?s cabinet members have
persistently invoked ?executive privilege? in order to evade answering
substantive questions that may shed light on the issues. The
administration has also not been reluctant to co-opt, bribe and
threaten government officials willing to testify about their knowledge
of corruption. The dole-outs, payolas and other forms of inducements
attested to by Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio and Bulacan Governor
Joselito Mendoza last year stand witness to this practice.

On the other hand, the Arroyo administration has given its loyal
allies a freehand in pursuing their self-interests in wild abandon.
The top brass of the military remains shielded by a culture of
impunity despite being implicated by the United Nations and other
international human rights watchdogs in the continued rise of
extrajudicial killings. Time and again, Arroyo has toyed with the idea
of constitutional change to sate the hunger for power and influence of
her congressional and local government units (LGU) allies who have
stood behind her in crisis moments.

These are not isolated cases of corruption but components of an
interwoven web of tactics that result from an insecure administration
resting upon repressive mechanisms on the one hand and unrestrained
pursuit of its allies? self-interests on the other hand because it has
lost the people?s trust and confidence. These are systematized and
brazen attacks on key democratic institutions supposed to guarantee
the public?s right to information and the accountability of elected
and appointed officials. Such assaults have alienated a large part of
the Filipino public from political engagement and have sowed
widespread cynicism among the youth. But this is hardly unintended ?
keeping the public disaffected means Arroyo remains in power.

As educators, scholars and students of politics, we in the Department
of Political Science are deeply disturbed by this growing sense of
disenchantment and distrust in the democratic process as a result of
the Arroyo government?s continued mockery of our political and
judicial institutions.



Our call resonates with the Catholic Bishops Conference of the
Philippines? (CBCP), the Watch and Pray Movement?s, the Ateneo School
of Government?s and the Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan?s framework of
truth, accountability and reform:

? We appeal to the conscience of government officials to divulge what
they know about corruption and abuses of the present administration.
We ask them to heed the CBCP?s call for personal conversion. As a
start, we demand from Secretary Romulo Neri nothing but the whole
truth of his knowledge of and participation in anomalous deals of the
Arroyo government. We demand that he be allowed to testify in the
Senate investigation without threats to his life and security. We
support efforts by the Church, other universities and civil society
groups in providing sanctuaries to would-be-whistleblowers as well as
the collection of funds for their material sustenance and legal defense.

? We ask the Supreme Court to rule without delay on the petitions
filed by Senators Manuel A. Roxas and Benigno Aquino III requesting
that the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) release
pertinent documents on the NBN-ZTE deal. Similarly, we ask the Supreme
Court to resolve the petition filed by Secretary Neri on the question
of executive privilege and his appearance in the Senate
investigations. Neri?s participation in the Senate hearings and the
NEDA documents are being claimed as covered by EO 464. We reiterate
calls for President Arroyo to finally revoke EO 464.

? We support the proposal to establish an Independent Counsel through
the passage of a statute that will investigate and prosecute those who
are culpable. We urge the public to closely watch the investigation
being conducted by the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice, even
as we consider these as fresh attempts of the administration to
confuse the people, frighten and destroy the morale of present and
future witnesses and sow mistrust of the Senate-led investigation.

? We call on lawyers, civil society organizations and private
individuals to link with each other to gather information that will
clearly establish the culpability of government officials named by the
witnesses in the NBN-ZTE deal and the abduction of Jun Lozada. We ask
them to disseminate such information so the public can be guided in
judging the issues themselves.

? We urge the public, their immediate and wider communities to
continue being vigilant and informed. We put our trust in the public?s
judgment in actualizing the bishops? call for communal action through
mass demonstrations and public forums where people can be informed and
can express their collective outrage in a militant but non-violent
manner.

? We realize that the success of these efforts rests largely upon a
citizenry committed to the pursuit of truth, active and informed
engagement with state institutions. We commend all whistleblowers for
their courage and for showing us that no matter how much we are part
or have been part of corruption and injustice ? in little or large
ways ? we can still redeem ourselves and bring hope back in our
democratic institutions. We hope that their initiatives can help
transform our political culture towards upholding truth and
accountability.

We believe, however, that a restoration of the people?s trust in our
democratic institutions can only begin when the personalities
identified by Jun Lozada and by previous whistleblowers are held
accountable for suppressing and covering-up the truth behind
allegations of wrongdoings in the government.

Failure of the administration to do so justifies the intensifying
public clamor for Arroyo and her government to resign.


E. SLB International On-Line Forum



Log-on. Be updated. Air your sentiments. Exchange views.



The SLB International On-Line Forum



On Demanding TRUTH, ACCOUNTABILITY & REFORM



24/7 Feb 25- March 2, 2008

Log-on to: www.slb.ph



Filipinos around the world want a chance to speak up and be heard about the state of our country. As many continue to wonder "Is Jun Lozada a credible witness? Do I believe in his testimony? Has our government really lost its moral authority and legitimacy?”, many also ask "Where do we go from here? What can we actually do?"



Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan has therefore created the space where opinions can be made to count and where questions can communally be discerned.



The SLB International on-line forum will run for the entire week from Feb 25-March2, 2008. It will be accessible anytime of the day, all 7 days. Resource persons from the SLB team will also be on-line every lunch period from 12nn-2pm (Philippine time).



We want Filipinos everywhere to log-on, be updated, air their sentiments, and exchange views, because all these are important steps toward heeding the call to communal discernment and building consensus.



Help us spread the word. Send this to all your Filipino friends and relatives everywhere, especially those overseas.





Manalangin. Manindigan. Makialam.

SIMBAHANG LINGKOD NG BAYAN

UPP ANNOUNCEMENT

All University Physical Plant (UPP) office and maintenance personnel will be in Mirador Hill, Baguio for Days of Renewal and Spiritual Journey from Friday, 22 February to Monday, 25 February. Please note:



1. UPP will not be able to provide services in the Loyola Heights , APS-Rockwell, APS-Salcedo and at the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (ASMPH) campuses.



Arrangements have been made with a contractor to handle Job Orders (JO) for the days specified. The community is requested to submit JO for 22 to 25 February now so arrangements could be made.



2. Security personnel will be on duty in the four campuses.



3. Housekeeping personnel in APS-Rockwell, APS-Salcedo and at the ASMPH will be on duty.



4. Back-up arrangements for emergencies have been set up. For emergencies please contact the security office in the four campuses.



ldm140208

Multimedia Workshops at The GARAGE for March 2008

Multimedia Workshops at The GARAGE for March 2008 (Updated)
Are you looking for more and better ways to promote your organization
products, and services? This March, The Garage is offering three
workshops to help you to do just that. Learn how to establish an online
presence, how to layout professional-looking publications, or how to
create stunning video presentations. Receive hours of lectures and
hands-on training in Adobe Dreamweaver, InDesign or Premiere Pro CS3.
You'll also be able to apply what you learn when dealing with designers,
printers, editors and other suppliers.


Web Design's Ultimate Crash Course
Discover what the “www” and the “.com” in www.google.com mean, and learn
much more. Web Design's Ultimate Crash Course first equips its
participants with information about how the Internet and Webpages work.
It then provides them with hands-on training in Webpage design using
HTML and CSS, and then, later on, using Dreamweaver.

* Course instructor: Alberto Medalla
* Schedule of classes:
- Session 1: March 1 (Saturday, 9 AM to 12 PM)
- Session 2: March 1 (1 to 4 PM)
- Session 3: March 8 (Saturday, 9 AM to 12 PM)
- Session 4: March 8 (1 to 4 PM)
- Session 5: March 15 (Saturday, 9 AM to 12 PM)
- Session 6: March 15 (1 to 4 PM)
* Total hours: 18 hours
* Course fee: P6,000 (10% off until 20 February, Wednesday)


Desktop Publishing with Adobe InDesign CS3
Do you want to be able to produce professional-quality page designs and
layouts? Learn how to work with multi-page documents and to prepare
files for printing. The desktop publishing course will provide you with
a foundation in graphic design while showing you the ins and outs of
Adobe InDesign.

* Course instructor: Aman Santos
* Schedule of classes:
- Session 1: March 6 (Thursday, 6:30-9:30 PM)
- Session 2: March 11 (Tuesday, 6:30-9:30 PM)
- Session 3: March 13 (Thursday, 6:30-9:30 PM)
- Session 4: March 18 (Tuesday, 6:30-9:30 PM)
- Session 5: March 25 (Tuesday, 6:30-9:30 PM)
- Session 6: March 27 (Thursday, 6:30-9:30 PM)
* Total hours: 18 hours
* Course fee: P6,000 (10% off until 20 February, Wednesday)


Video Editing with Adobe Premiere Pro CS3
After you've already shot hours of video, now what? Whether you just
want to make better home movies or you want to produce stunning video
presentations for your organization, our workshop will equip you with
essential video editing skills. We will teach you how to capture video,
arrange and trim clips, add transitions, apply video effects, and so
much more. You'll even be able to use what you learn when creating other
multimedia content like Flash animation.

* Course instructor: Bryan Quesada
* Schedule of classes:
- Session 1: March 26 (Wednesday, 6:30-9:30 PM)
- Session 2: March 28 (Friday, 6:30-9:30 PM)
- Session 3: March 29 (Saturday, 9 AM-12 PM)
- Session 4: March 29 (Saturday, 6:30-9:30 PM)
- Session 5: March 31 (Monday, 6:30-9:30 PM)
* Total hours: 15 hours
* Course fee: P5,000 (10% off until 10 March, Monday)

================================

Our New Group Discount Scheme
Have you and your friends ever wanted to join one of The Garage
workshops only to be disappointed that you've missed the early bird
registration deadline? Well, here's good news for you! We're introducing
a new discount scheme for groups interested in joining our workshops. If
you and a friend both register to the same workshop, you each receive a
5% discount on the course fee. If, on the other hand, you and at least
two friends enroll in the same workshop, then you will each get 10% off
the regular fee. This perfect for pairs and groups who work for the same
company, organization or congregation. Hurry
and invite your friends and co-workers to join now!

(The group discount is not cumulative with any other discounts or
promotions.)

================================

For more information, please contact The GARAGE: JesCom Creative
Technologies Center at 4265971 to 72 local 221. You may also email Cathy
(cbringino@admu.edu.ph) or Paolo (pgonzalez@sdmu.edu.ph), or visit us at
http://thegaragejct.blogspot.com.
_______________________________________________

ACTION POINTS for NBN-ZTE SCANDAL

POSSIBLE ACTION POINTS



For TRUTH:



Ô Join public expressions demanding the E.O. 464 revocation which blocks the process of searching for the truth.

Ô Keep up-to-date with developments. Attend KWENTONG BAYAN (National Situationer) this February 23 (Sat) 1:00 p.m. at the Ateneo Grade School auditorium. Resource persons include:

o Sen. Kiko Pangilinan

o Prof. Winnie Monsod

o Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo

§ With a message from former President Cory Aquino

(For reservations given the limited slots available, please call tel. 426-6101 local 3440/3441)

Ô Write to Romulo Neri and other Ateneo Alumni and communicate our demand for the whole truth. Secretary Neri's contact infos:

Tel.#: +63 (02) 9100823; 6332713
Fax # +63 (02) 6355829
Website: http://www.ched.gov.ph

Ô Disseminate credible statements through internet (emails, blogs, websites etc.) to guide fellow Filipinos in different parts of the world. For other details, visit http://simbahanglingkod.multiply.com or www.slb.ph.

Ô Launch and/or support signature campaigns for truth.

Ô Organize fora/conferences about the national situation in general or the ZTE scam in particular. SLB can help with invitation for resource persons.



For ACCOUNTABILITY



Ô Support the proposal for an Independent Counsel to ensure closer investigation and prosecution of guilty parties. We channel our forces to the Senate for this resolution. Then we monitor the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice and even the Courts to ascertain that we have the right Independent Counsel who is not only an outstanding member of the bar with vast experience in the field of prosecution, but he must also be a person with irreproachable integrity, probity and independence. For inquiries, you may call the Ateneo School of Government or Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan.



For REFORM



Ô Join small groups of discernment/discussion sessions as a concrete response to the CBCP call. You may also call SLB at locals 3440 / 3441 / hotline SUN-8600-SLB, should you wish to join these sessions.

Ô Write to lawmakers and push for the review and revision of the Government Procurement Act. For a complete directory, visit http://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/sen14th.asp and http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/congress-dir.htm.

Ô Organize your communities and hold dialogues with your local government officials. Demand from our elected officials their stand on the ZTE scandal and make them commit to the call for truth, accountability and reform. Make public the statements of your communities and/or officials.

Ô Academic officials may write to all the school's alumni the call for reform. Organize an Alumni gathering and discuss the ZTE scandal. Make them commit to the general public's clamor for change. Make public the commitments of your institution especially the roles the alumni will take.





Manalangin. Manindigan. Makialam.

SIMBAHANG LINGKOD NG BAYAN

Web news update (15 February)

Web news update (15 February)



For the latest bulletins, news and features on the Ateneo, visit the official university Web site: http://www.ateneo.edu. This week's home page stories:





Bulletin

- Congratulations to the accepted Ateneo College Freshman Applicants for SY 2008-2009! Decisions on applications of freshman applicants who took the January ACET can now also be accessed online. Click here.

- Congratulations to the accepted applicants to the 41st Ateneo Junior Summer Seminar (AJSS). View list.





President’s Corner:

GC 35 Update: February 12 is another red-letter day


News

*2005 Ateneo top grad shines in world of astrophysics
*Ateneo ECCE teams bag awards in 4th Smart SWEEP
*Atenean social entrepreneur honored in Davos, Switzerland


Features

*Jesuit general appoints ten regional assistants
*Arete!


Sports

*Blue Booters Bulletin #9: A history lesson, a late goal, and another finals appearance
*Blue Booters Bulletin #8: A monkey wrench, a first goal high, and a spectacular collapse (UAAP Updates)
*AHS Track & Field Team is UAAP 1st runner-up


Announcements

*Kritika Kultura Lecture: Ironies of feminism, Feb. 22
*Take part in “Electronic Waste Drive”
*Review for Foreign Service Examination, April 5 - June 21, 2008
*Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan forums, Feb. 14 and 23
*Alumnus wins Judicial branch essay contest
*Center for Family Ministries (CEFAM) summer offerings
*Maiden issue of graduate student research newsletter


What’s new inside?

*Situation Report 11 February 2008 (University Physical Plant)
*3 Photojourn students join workshop (Asian Center for Journalism)
*Photojourn Batch 3 takes 3rd course (Asian Center for Journalism)
*Blue Book 2007 print version to be released starting Feb. 16 (High School)
*Talecraft holds contest at AHS fair (High School)
*CSO holds annual Leadership Seminar (High School)
*Ateneo High gets high on Christ (High School)
*AHS UAAP Football Team beats UST, 9-0 (High School)
*AHS Track & Field Team is UAAP 1st runner-up (High School)
*AGS celebrates Teachers’ Day on Day of Hearts (Grade School)
*Three Ks define the theme of 4YC (Grade School)
*EX-MEN SESSION 3: Are we ready to mutate to a better grading system for COCA? (Grade School)





Visit your Unit Homepage for updates. Check out 'Ateneo this week' for weekly campus activities. We welcome news, features, and announcements from the Ateneo community. Please send your materials to commpr@admu.edu.ph. Thank you!

New Release from JesCom

Conferences and Lectures

A. An Interdisciplinary Conference on Climate Change




B. KRITIKA KULTURA LECTURE SERIES


KRITIKA KULTURA LECTURE SERIES

invites you to
a lecture


I R O N I E S OF F E M I N I S M


by

Prof. Delia A. Aguilar
Professor, Women's Studies, University of Connecticut


commentary
by

Aida F. Santos
Human rights advocate, feminist, poet


22 February 2008, Friday
4.30 - 6.00 pm
Faculty/Staff Lounge, de la Costa bldg.
Ateneo de Manila University
Loyola Heights, Quezon City


*ABSTRACT*
What is feminism like today, almost 40 years after the founding of MAKIBAKA in
1970? How has it evolved to address women's concerns in a globalized 21st
century? To what extent is feminist theorizing in the academy linked to this
project and, therefore, independent of theory-making in the global North?
These questions are raised in light of the disciplining of academic feminism
in the North and its virtual abandonment of emancipatory goals. How can we
work our way out of the ironies wrought by a feminism that continues to claim
radicalism even when it has turned conservative?


*SPEAKER'S BIO*
Delia D. Aguilar has a long history of engagement with the women's movement in
the Philippines and the United States, and the tensions arising from First
World and Third World feminist encounters. Her book Women and Globalization,
co-edited with Anne Lacsamana, underscores the need to comprehend women's
labor as the motor of globalized production. Aguilar, who formerly taught
ethnic and women's studies at Bowling Green State University and Washington
State University, now teaches women's studies at the University of
Connecticut. She has also taught women's studies in UP and St. Scholastica
Collage.


*COMMENTATOR'S BIO*
Aida F. Santos (a.k.a. Aida Santos-Maranan) is a human rights advocate,
writer, researcher, educator, trainer, feminist. She taught women?s studies
at the masteral program at St. Scholastica?s College (SSC) and served as
coordinator of its precursor women?s studies non-degree program. As a pioneer
in the women?s liberation movement, she co-founded several groups. Aida has
written numerous articles on women/gender issues and development concerns. She
has also served as an independent consultant to various local and
international organizations.


.................................
Department of English
School of Humanities
Ateneo de Manila University
Katipunan Road, Loyola Heights,
Quezon City 1108 Metro Manila
Philippines
Telefax(632)426-6120
426-6001 local 5310/5311


C. MNEs and Global Integration of Thai Processed Food Industry:
A Firm Level Study


By: Dr. Archanun Kohpaiboon

The study presents the findings of firm-level case study examining the
role of MNEs in processed food exports from Thailand. Four major
export items-canned pineapple, canned tuna, processed shrimp-are
covered, focusing on both FDI and non-FDI channels of MNE involvement.
The findings suggest that MNEs have played a vital role in the
expansion of processed food exports from Thailand.

Dr. Archanun Kohpaiboon is Assistant Professor at the Faculty of
Economics, Thammasat University (Thailand), and Visiting Professor at
the Department of Economics, Ateneo de Manila University. He has been
academic staff member of Thailand's Minister of Industry, Minister of
Finance, the House Speaker, and member of the Sub-Committee of the
Policy Advisor of the Prime Minister for Economic Affairs. Dr.
Kohpaiboon received the Ph.D. in Economics from the Australian
National University.

Date: Thursday, February 21, 2008
Time: 4:30-6:00PM
Place: Ricardo Leong Center for Chinese Studies Conference Room
Room 206. Ricardo and Dr. Rosita Leong Hall

For further information, please contact loc. 5221-5222.


D. ASEAN charter international conference

*Mark your calendars!* INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE
ASEAN CHARTER FOR EAST ASIAN INTEGRATION



The AIM Policy Center, in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung,
will convene a high-level *International Conference on the Implications of
the ASEAN Charter for East Asian Integration* on *12 March 2008*, Wednesday,
from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, at the *Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila*.



On 4 February 2005, the combined efforts of the AIM Policy Center, Fidel V.
Ramos Research Chair in Policy Studies, and the Japan Economic Foundation
(JEF) paved the way for an insightful discussion on the prospects of
regional integration through bilateral and regional free trade agreements
(FTAs). The conference, entitled *An Integrated Roadmap to an East Asian
Free Trade Agreement (EAFTA)*, brought together leading Asian personalities
championing the discussion of FTAs.



After nearly three years, and in light of recent developments in the region,
the AIM Policy Center and the Fidel V. Ramos Research Chair in Policy
Studies are poised to build on the success of the 2005 conference, this time
in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung.



The proposed conference seeks to:



(1) Help cascade the ASEAN Charter buzzword and facilitate greater
public understanding of its potential implications (especially for
government and business);



(2) Assess the ASEAN countries' competitiveness and readiness for
deeper regional integration;



(3) Identify both the new opportunities for, and potential obstacles
to, East Asian integration in order to equip stakeholders with policy
options and alternative strategies; and



(4) Generate ideas on how to get the private sector more actively
involved in the regional integration process.



*Former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos* will keynote the conference.
The panel of distinguished speakers includes DFA Secretary Alberto Romulo
(TBC), World Bank Country Director Bert Hofman (TBC), former ASEAN
Secretary-General Amb. Rodolfo Severino (Confirmed), former ASEAN Deputy
Secretary-General Wilfrido Villacorta (Confirmed), Amb. Rosario Manalo
(Confirmed), DTI Senior Undersecretary Thomas Aquino (TBC), and Dr. Federico
Macaranas (Confirmed), among others. International speakers will also be
joining the discussion virtually via videoconference.



About 150 participants from the business sector, diplomatic corps,
international organizations, national government agencies, NGOs, and the
academe will be invited to the conference. Please e-mail Jhoanne L.
Estipular (jestipular@aim.edu) or Karen Goyena (kgoyena@aim.edu) if you wish
to be invited.

Tel. : (632) 426-6001 locals 5208, 5209, 5248
Fax : (632) 426-6001 local 5280
Email: acas@admu.edu.ph
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ateneo ECCE teams bag awards in 4th Smart SWEEP

Out of 59 mobile solutions submitted as entries from colleges and universities in the country, two teams of fifth year ECE students triumphed on the recently concluded 4th Smart SWEEP Innovation and Excellence Awards held last Feb. 1-2 at the Trade Hall of SM Cebu City. This year’s theme is “Going Wireless for Disaster Preparedness”, which addresses the country’s growing need to improve its ability to respond to the threat of disaster. All teams were tasked to come up with wireless service applications accessed via the Smart network using SMS, MMS, WAP, GPRS, SIP, voice, 3G, wireless broadband or Bluetooth.




SMART FAST (Flood Alert Service Texts) emerged as the first runner up with a cash prize of Php300,000. It proposes the use of SMS to automatically collect and transmit data from sensors that determine flood levels in rivers and other bodies of water. This system also integrates services that allow for community participation during disasters through donation (Smart Money transfer services) and evacuation site status reports. The goal of the system is to prepare the community and the entire government machinery to anticipate the onset of and respond to possible damage caused by flood.


The members of the team are Adrin V. del Rosario (Team Leader), Roy Khristopher O. Bayot, and Archie Q. Dolit.


Second runner up went to SMART-GUARDS (SMART-Geared Up for Automated Response Disaster System), a wireless disease outbreak tracking system that monitors and provides information, description, alert dissemination protocols, and mathematical analysis accessible via the Internet, SMS, and MMS. Based on the data provided by hospitals and authorized health centers, the system is able to track and map trends, patterns, and the degrees of outbreak for a particular city using mathematical algorithms and software image processing. Essentially, this system protects Filipinos from viral and epidemic outbreaks such as dengue, bird flu, capillariasis and other contagious diseases.


Jimson G. Ngeo (Team Leader), Adrielle Matthew Julius A. Dagasuan, Chrisandro M. Favila, and Jan Lester Gerard M. Lofranco, are the members of the team who received Php150,000 cash prize and the People’s Choice Award.



The university also received equivalent amounts in the form of grants.



Another team made it as finalist, Smart Disaster Aversion, which integrates different inexpensive and easy to deploy sensors in order to prevent, empower, and locate the subscribers of impending disasters such as flood, typhoon, landslide, and earthquake. The SDA team is composed of Ted Angelo T. Chua (Team Leader), Mark David G. Abat, Jose Raphael C. Arenas, and Adrian Joseph C. Mozo, who received Php35,000.



All the three teams were mentored by Engr. Marie Engelene J. Obien. Support to the teams was provided by the SWEEP laboratory under the supervision of Engr. Maria Leonora C. Guico.


A highlight of the event is the PalaECEpan quiz contest, where 37 ECE student representatives from colleges and universities nationwide converged. Daryl Aaron C. Gaerlan (V - BS ECE), topped his group elimination round and made it to the finals, in which he won third place. He was mentored by Engr. Maria Leonora C. Guico.

THE ASSEMBLY STATEMENT ON THE ABDUCTION OF RODOLFO “JUN” LOZADA AND EFFORTS OF THE ARROYO ADMINISTRATION TO OBSTRUCT THE TRUTH

On February 6, 2008, Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada – a witness to the anomalous US$320 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with Chinese company ZTE Inc. – was abducted by guards from the Presidential Security Group (PSG). He was driven around Metro Manila up to Los Banos, Laguna all the while not knowing where his captors will take him and what they will do to him. During the entire ordeal, Lozada was warned by his captors that his phone was under surveillance and that his calls and text messages were being intercepted by intelligence operatives. Lozada’s disappearance caused a stir among his family, the media and human rights groups who have filed petitions for a writ of habeas corpus and writ of amparo in the Supreme Court. The restive public speculation and media hype compelled Lozada’s kidnappers to bring him back to his family but only after forcing him to sign ante-dated letters requesting for police protection and an affidavit denying his abduction.




We are outraged by the government’s blatant violation of Rodolo “Jun” Lozada’s human rights and by the deliberate obstruction of justice to conceal the truth behind his disappearance and the ZTE controversy. We condemn the desperate attempts of government officials to cover-up its crime. We see this as an obvious manifestation of the increasing mafia-like way the Philippine state is being run under this current administration. We are appalled by the way the government has increasingly been using tactics that impinge upon our rights to privacy and personal security.




We hold President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the PSG culpable for these gross acts of injustice. We demand for their accountability. We want them punished. But experience tells us that this administration has employed all possible means to prevent the people from holding its officials accountable and will continue to suppress the truth for political survival. Already, Lozada has become the subject of character assassination and malicious statements. This shows up to what extent the government is willing to do in order to obscure the truth. Such response is hardly surprising.




Because the dynamics underlying the Arroyo administration – her questionable legitimacy and her desire to concentrate power to avoid prosecution after she steps down in 2010, revealed in the unchecked culture of impunity within the military and among administration allies – we believe that unless Arroyo steps down from office, trust in our democratic institutions will continue to decay.




We therefore call on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to resign. We admit that Arroyo’s resignation is not enough but we believe that this is the first step in the restoration of our faith in our hard-won democracy.




We urge fellow Ateneans in government and public service to follow the heroic example of Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada. We implore them to reveal their knowledge of corruption and abuse of power under the present administration. We call on the Ateneo administration, the alumni association and the student body to join us in our crusade for truth and accountability. In the same way, we disown fellow Ateneans who have forgotten and reneged on their promise to become Lux in Domino – Light in God – and persons for others.




We call for continuing reflection and discernment but we don’t want to be bystanders as our countrymen begin to come together anew to defend our deeply shared Filipino values of freedom and justice.




Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada has risked his and his family’s life and security because of his patriotism and love for the truth. We are shamed if we don’t do the same.

SITUATION REPORT - Monday, 11 February 2008

SITUATION REPORT
( Monday, 11 February 2008)



The Situation Report of 11 February 2008 , with relevant photos, is posted at
http://www.admu.edu.ph/index.php?p=120&type=2&sec=26&aid=4792

It may also be downloaded as a Word file from http://www.ateneo.edu/upp/sitrep_doc/Sitrep_110208.doc



WATER: The leak in the Grade School complex has been stopped. There are still a number of problematic distribution lines at the Blue Eagle Gym but these are being acted on. The leak near the security office last Wednesday night was due to a dislocated joint on the water line. The line was affected by the roots of an adjacent tree.



The leak at the junction of the Grade School car park and Fr. Masterson Road reported by drivers and pedestrians was due to an old gasket that had to be replaced.



1. The Grade School cistern was put up in 1994 and is one of the oldest on campus. A defective gate valve had to be replaced last Friday, 8 February.

2. The High School cistern pressure tank was repaired this morning after it burst. The High School cistern was constructed also in the early 1990’s.



SECURITY:



Found and returned:

*9:00 p.m., Monday 4 February: SG RUBEN P YANSON found a wallet at the SEC A building containing cash, credit and ATM cards. This was turned over to the security office and claimed by the owner on Wednesday, 6 February.
*5:45 p.m., Tuesday 5 February: Two passengers from Ateneo left a cell phone in a tricycle sidecar at the Mini Stop store. The cell phone was seen by the gas station attendant when the tricycle went to get gas. The gas attendant refused to turn over the cell phone to the driver.
*Mr. JOMAR PUDOL CASIDSID driver of LHTODA White tricycle 027 reported the incident to campus security. SSG SEVERINO B BULACAN accompanied Mr. Casidsid to retrieve the cell phone at the gas station. The cell phone has not been claimed by its owner as of today.
*4:25 p.m., Wednesday 6 February: MR. EUGENIO ALVIN DOMINGO (in red t-shirt) driver of LPTODA Green tricycle turned over to campus security a cell phone he found in the tricycle side car. The cell phone was returned to the High School student at 4:45 p.m. of the same day.
*11:55 a.m., Thursday 7 February: JSA ground maintenance crew MR. ELMER M. QUIANO found a wallet near the baseball field and turned it over to the security office.
The wallet found by Mr. Quiano was claimed by the owner at 2:20 p.m. of the same day.
*6:30 p.m., Tuesday, 5 February: SEC roving guard LEONARDO C SANTOS found a blue stereo component along the SEC hallway. The owner only claimed it last Friday, 8 February at the security office.
*8:55 a.m., Friday 8 February: SG DANILO M ARCUENO found a cell phone, USB and backpack of assorted books at the SEC C foyer. This was turned over to the security office.
*11:55 a.m., Friday, 8 February: LS student claimed the cell phone, USB and backpack found at the SEC-C foyer.
*4:40 p.m., Thursday, 7 February: LS student LUIS B. NAZARENO found a cell phone in the JSEC Mall toilet. The student endorsed the cell phone to campus security. The cell phone was claimed by the owner later in the afternoon at the security office.
*Cervini Cafeteria waiter MR. CIGFED G. ALABAT found a wallet on one of the cafeteria tables. He endorsed it to guard on duty.
*The owner of the wallet containing cash, ATM and other cards claimed it at the security office in the evening of the same day.


Unlocked cars:



The number of cars found unlocked by campus security is increasing.



10:45 a.m., Friday 8 February: Roving guard SG FLORANTE H ANGELES found a sedan with keys attached to the driver’s door at the East carpark. The owner of the vehicle was traced through the gate pass sticker and reported to ADSA.



Summary of Unlocked Cars

Date Total North East Central Bellarmine Diversion
carpark carpark carpark carpark carpark
Monday 4 Feb 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tuesday 5 6 3 3 0 0 0
Wednesday 6 10 0 0 3 3 4
Thursday 7 5 0 1 4 0 0
Friday 8 10 1 4 3 2 0
Saturday 9 4 0 0 4 0 0
Total 35 4 8 14 5 4




Monitoring carparks is time-consuming and a strain to campus security. The option of imposing a P2,000.00 penalty for unlocked cars is now being considered. This may be imposed next school year. Drivers who leave their cars unlocked should shoulder the cost of security.

MAINTENANCE: Some of the repairs done on campus last week.



1. The damaged concrete block along Seminary Drive near the Department of Communication carpark.

2. The manhole near the Sonolux building was clogged and caused water to overflow to the street.

3. The clogged manhole was cleaned.

4. The damaged manhole cover before the waiting shed between Loyola House of Studies and San Jose Seminary posed danger to users of the stairs leading to De la Costa Housing.

5. The manhole with the repaired cover now in place.





1. On Katipunan before Gate 1 coming from Aurora Boulevard , there is a manhole without a cover.

2. The manhole cover may have been damaged by the armored car that would illegally park along the sidewalk.

3. A Grade School teacher fell in this manhole several years ago during the rainy season when the area was flooded. The community is warned to be careful when passing the area.



All University Physical Plant (UPP) office and maintenance personnel will be in Mirador Hill, Baguio for Days of Renewal and Spiritual Journey from Friday, 22 February to Monday, 25 February. Please note:



Routine UPP services will not be available in the Loyola Heights , APS-Rockwell, APS-Salcedo and at the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (ASMPH) campuses.
Security personnel will be on duty in the four campuses.
Housekeeping personnel in APS-Rockwell, APS-Salcedo and at the ASMPH will also be on duty.
Back-up arrangements for emergencies have been set up. For emergencies please contact the security office personnel who will in turn contact UPP for action needs.



ldm110208





Please email comments to iescuadro@ateneo.edu
Visit the University Physical Plant website at http://www.ateneo.edu/index.php?p=472

Statements

A. Statement from Leong Center

Latent Racism

For several years now, the widespread celebration of the Chinese New
Year has illustrated the nation's acceptance of the Chinese-Filipino
or Chinoy community as an integral and significant part of Philippine
society. Last week, however, during the week of the Chinese New Year,
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Sergio Apostol reacted to the Senate
testimony of Rodolfo Lozada, Jr., by calling him a "crying lady." He
is also quoted as saying, in reference to Lozada, "They say he's a
Chinese from the province. Bagay sa iyo i-deport ka. Magulo ka dito
(You should be deported because you're troublesome)."

Apostol's comments are not only ad hominem, they also show that
despite the perceived acceptance of the Chinoys in Philippine society,
old racist tags are still very much around. Apostol should realize
that he will only get as far as Bicol if he's going to have Lozada
deported. This episode demonstrates what Chinoys have often lamented,
that when their financial help is needed, the government and other
bodies are quick to acknowledge their unique place in the Philippines.
But the moment Chinoys need help or try to break free of economic
stereotypes, as in the case of Lozada, a Chinese mestizo (and proud of
it!) who is trying to set things aright in his life, then the old
prejudices emerge once again.

Apostol is not the first public official to utter a racial slur
against the Chinese during an emotional outburst. Whether he
apologizes or not, perhaps it will be a worthy Lenten exercise for all
of us to examine the latent racism that we may still harbor within our
selves--against other Filipinos, and against those who are different
from us in any way.

Fr. Ari C. Dy, SJ
Director, Ricardo Leong Center for Chinese Studies
Ateneo de Manila University


B. Where are the Filipino Youth?

Where are the Filipino Youth?
by: Harvey S. Keh

The past weeks we have witnessed yet another political scandal that has rocked our country, the ZTE Broadband Scam wherein former COMELEC chairman Benjamin Abalos with the apparent blessings of the First Gentleman, Mike Arroyo was said to have asked for a commission of US$ 130 Million or a whopping 6 Billion Pesos in exhange for his influencing our government's decision to award the broadband deal to ZTE, a Chinese Telecommunications Company. To make this happen, the ZTE Broadband Contract was greatly overpriced at US$ 329 Million and worse, the government to be able to make this deal push through would have to loan this amount from the Chinese government. In short, the US$ 130 Million kickback of Abalos and his cohorts will have to be paid for by our tax money.

To make things even worse, the govenrment tried its darn best to cover this deal by pressuring Joey De Venecia, the first star witness to stop talking abouit this in the Senate and in public, Joey didn't want to cover up the truth thus, Malacañang led by the congressman sons of President GMA led a revolt at Congress which ousted Joey's dad, then Speaker Jose De Venecia. The next star witness whose courage we so admire, Jun Lozada initially didn't want to go to the Senate and take part in their investigation because as he said, if he ends up in the Senate, he will be forced to say the Truth. Again, our government tried every trick to ensure that Lozada wouldn't be able to testify in the Senate, leading to his alleged kidnapping as soon as he arrived from Hong Kong where he hid for a few days. Two men picked up Lozada as soon as he got out of the plane and brought him around Metro Manila and even to Laguna against his will. If that can happen to Jun Lozada, that can happen to every Filipino in this country. In Jun Lozada's words, when he was picked up against his will, he already thought about the late Bobby Dacer who at the height of the Erap impeachment was also picked up by unidentified men and after weeks of looking for him, they finally found his body along with the body of his driver.

I can go on and on about this but the point is, this government has continued to steal our people's money from under our nose and they continue doing this because they know they can get away with it. Just look at the many scandals that have rocked the administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo which we already have no idea what happened like the 1 Billion Peso Fertilizer Scam and the Hello Garci Scandal. As Jun Lozada further said in his testimony at the Senate, the Standard Operating Procedure in our country now is that every government contract is overpriced by 20%, the 20% goes to the pockets of our government leaders who helped in pushing the deal. This is indeed very disappointing since 6 Billion Pesos can help build so many classrooms for our public school students, it can provide so many college scholarships to deserving students, it can help build public hospitals so people can receive proper health care and it can provide adequate housing to thousands of families. But in this case, 6 Billion Pesos will just end up in the pockets of one or maybe a few families and worse, we will all have to pay for their greed.

Nakakainis at Nakakagalit ang nangyayari sa ZTE Deal na to, harap harapan na tayong ginagago ng gobyerno natin and as one of my students in class said, he wouldn't be surprised if another scandal comes out within the next few months... it seems that Malacañang is already so used to scandals because they know they will eventually get away with it once media and the public grow tired of hearing about these scandals. Pero para sa akin, mas nakakalungkot na parang walang pakialam at walang ginagawa ang karamihan sa kabataang Pilipino sa mga nangyayaring ito, it seems that the Filipino Youth which led the charge in EDSA 2 is nowhere to be found. Could it be that the Filipino Youth has given up all Hope for making this country great again? Could it be the Filipino Youth has given up in its fight for a clean and effective government? Has the youth given up on our future? I hope I am wrong because what is at stake here is not just my future or the future of the poor, it is our shared future that we have to continue to fight for. Ayaw ba natin na dumating ang araw na bawat Pilipino pwede nang magkaroon ng kalidad na edukasyon? Ayaw ba natin na dumating ang araw na hindi na natin kailangang mag abroad at mahiwalay sa pamilya para magakaroon ng magandang trabaho? If we can all work together and join forces, we can show this administration that we will not just sit idly while they continue to corrupt and destroy our future, remember that in 2010 the Filipino Youth will be able to elect the next President of our country. Let us not wait till then to make a change, let us act now, our country needs US Now!

If you want to help and be part of a youth-led initiative that will push for genuine and lasting reforms in our government, please email me at harveykeh@gmail.com or you can help by forwarding this email to your friends who might be interested to help. Let's meet, Let's Talk and Let's all work together for our country.

*Harvey Keh is Director for Youth Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship of the Ateneo de Manila-School of Government and a Lecturer at the Ateneo de Manila University-Loyola Schools' Development Studies Program and Department of Theology. Harvey is also Executive Director of AHON Foundation, a corporate foundation of Filway Marketing, Inc. that helps build public elementary school libraries.


C. INIIBIG KO ANG PILIPINAS (Ang Pilipinas na "hindi iisang pamilya lamang")

INIIBIG KO ANG PILIPINAS
Ang Pilipinas na "hindi iisang pamilya lamang" (Lozada, NBN-ZTE Star Witness)


More resoundingly than ever, we, the Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan, reiterate what we have time and again demanded of the current government of the Republic of the Philippines: TRUTH, ACCOUNTABILITY and REFORM.


Without question, it is the constitutional duty and moral culpability of the administration of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to ensure that the facts of all cases of corruption and anomalous dealings be brought to light, that those found and proven to be involved in such be prosecuted and punished, and that every effort shall be made to reform a system so ridden by this cancer.


Upon careful reflection on numerous unresolved issues and recent developments surrounding the Senate investigation of the NBN-ZTE deal and the alleged abduction of Engr. Jun Lozada, key witness to the said investigation, our call is for the following concrete forms of action to address the weakening of our democratic institutions and processes and to punish those who will be found guilty to the full extent of the law:


For TRUTH:


Ô That Gloria Macapagal Arroyo lift E.O. 464 which bans any of the cabinet members to appear before the Senate hearings without her consent. EO 464 is the major impediment to the public's right to information and access to the truth. It is questionable why that order was necessary in the first place, and whose interests were being protected by it. If Arroyo is prepared to serve the common good by allowing the truth to come forth, she should be ready to revoke EO 464.

Ô That Secretary Romulo Neri and other witnesses disclose to the general public all the relevant and truthful information about the NBN-ZTE deal.

Ô That the Senators faithfully continue with the hearings amidst ad hominem tactics against Lozada and cha-cha campaign to divert public attention and distract the country from pressing concerns.

For ACCOUNTABILITY:

Ô That the Senators concretely resolve to have an Independent Counsel pursue the case at hand. He or she shall have the duty to investigate and, if necessary, to prosecute certain high ranking officials of the Executive and Congress, including their relatives by affinity or consanguinity within the fourth civil degree charged with malfeasance or misfeasance in office. This should be exercised particularly for the ZTE scandal. The Independent Counsel should come from outside the government and be appointed by the President, subject to CA approval and judicial review of the Supreme Court en banc based on the qualifications provided by the statute creating the office.

For REFORM:

Ô That we heed the call of CBCP for reform – individually and communally - especially during the current season of Lent. We also strongly support the CBCP President's call for communal action and enjoin the public to attend fora, discernment sessions and public expressions of support for valid calls articulated herein.

Ô That Lawmakers revise the Government Procurement Reform Act (R.A. 9184) to ensure greater transparency and plug the enormous losses of taxpayer's money to corrupt officials estimated to amount to P30 billion for this year alone – a scandalous injustice and mockery of the plight of the millions of Filipinos who live in poverty and who would have benefited from services rightfully due them through these public funds.

We believe that if Mrs. Arroyo fails to act on the above, she irredeemably imperils her already worn-out credibility and moral authority, and will consequently lose the little remaining hold to a legitimate Presidency.

We therefore call on all men and women of goodwill to join us in making these demands, while remaining prayerfully vigilant and critically engaged in discerning and taking on courses of action to redeem the highly degraded integrity of our nation.

See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the desert, I make a way; in the wasteland, rivers. Isaiah 43: 18-19



Manalangin. Manindigan. Makialam.

SIMBAHANG LINGKOD NG BAYAN