A big cruel joke By Ermin Garcia Jr. HOW the Comelec will eventually interpret and promulgate the rules anent a controversial provision limiting participation of journalists and other practitioners in the information and entertainment fields, would make an interesting study for the legal academe even before the Supreme Courts rules…

Protect barangays vs. political vandals By Ermin Garcia Jr. The race is on for the national posts but it’s not as if it has not started as early as November for candidates, even for local candidates. The surprise reversal of the rule on pre-campaigning by the Supreme Court last year…

A call to arms for the senior citizens By Ermin Garcia Jr. JUST as I feared, Malacanang is poised to veto the bill providing for expanded benefits and discounts for senior citizens as recently passed by Congress. The only response I can think of is a preemptive strike against the…

Till 10 years do us part By Ermin Garcia Jr. HERE’S that news item that’s been talked about in many circles but that most are not willing to go public with their thoughts for fear of needlessly incriminating themselves over a non-issue (for now). The item:  A small women’s group…

Thank God for the new alibi By Ermin Garcia Jr. Thank God for the assignment of new regional director in Region 1, P/Chief Supt. Constante Azares Jr.  and evidently a hushed new directive from Guv Spines, Smiley PD Barba was rebuffed and finally compelled to take back his word on…

Not a smiling matter By Ermin Garcia Jr. JUST as we feared, what happened would happen again. Soon after the shotguns were indiscriminately issued to barangay chairmen in the province, a number of kapitans became ‘power-charged’ and careless that led to incidents of violence. This time, another hotheaded barangay kapitan…

The PUNCH is guilty By Ermin Garcia Jr. OK 2010, here we go! In deference to our people’s wish to celebrate Jesus Christ’s birthday in a festive mood, I’ve held my peace over the past 2 weeks even as my favorite ex-mayor Benjie Lim ranted about his failed “landmark” projects….

The privileged senior citizen By Ermin Garcia Jr. WHO says lives of senior citizens are on a downhill path? Absolutely not true. Senior citizens (yes, including myself) always have something to look forward to, something new, something exciting to live for the next day.  For many, it could be a…

The magic of Christmas and Santa By Ermin Garcia Jr. I believe I was six years old when I first encountered and discovered the “magic” of Santa Claus, he who gifted me with toys that I remembered seeing displayed in department stores. It was Christmas Eve in the early 50s….

Recall the shotguns By Ermin Garcia Jr. With the incidence of political violence here expected to rise in the months ahead, I will not be surprised if one of the shotguns issued to the barangay kapitans in the province by his administration will be involved or be used by bodyguards…