By Ronald Gian Carlo Cardema
Vice President Sara, President BBM, SAP Anton, and Speaker Martin are my godparents. Sandro’s first time being a ninong is with our daughter SG. I do not criticize any of them, thinking that the current political friction is just temporary and that they will forever be our family friends.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Reports have surfaced that Speaker Martin Romualdez and NCIP (National Commission on Indigenous Peoples) Chairperson Jennifer Sibug-Las met, during which the alarming news was revealed that the House leadership is considering abolishing the NCIP and amending the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act (IPRA).
This development not only threatens the future of indigenous peoples' rights in the Philippines but also raises serious concerns about the motivations behind this drastic move.
Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said on Tuesday that the disbarment case filed against him by lawyer Melvin Matibag before the Supreme Court for the “polvoronic” video posted on the former’s social media page was a desperate act of attention.
“We have to understand that the posting of the video in social media is protected by free speech under the privileged doctrine,” Atty Roque said. “It involves a serious disease of a President that deserves an admission or denial. PBBM has not done either.”
VICE-President Sara Duterte was supposed to be at the receiving end of the demolition job unleashed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. In just three public appearances that were supposed to tear her to pieces, she has mounted a counter-offensive that has sent her tormentors backpedaling in retreat.
The budget hearings, first before the Senate and twice before the House of Representatives, looked, every inch, like ambush territory. With less than a handful of allies in both chambers and even less willing to stand up and be identified with her, it seemed like all was lost.
