Injustice in politics

I was watching the news last night and I couldn't help but react on this issue.

The DOJ, after conducting a re-investigation, asserted that Hubert Webb WAS NOT in the US when the Vizconde killing took place. This is contrary to Webb's defense of alibi which was initially accorded greater weight by the Supreme Court as against the testimony of Jessica Alfaro who later on adjudged as not credible witness.

I am wondering why the DOJ conducted a re-investigation on this case in the first place. With these findings, they only worsen the scenario. Clearly, the DOJ rebutted the findings of the highest court of the land which had long become final and executory. It is to be understood, however, that this latest development would not necessarily revoke the acquittal of Webb and his co-accused from the charges since SC decisions are, again, final and executory per se. The newly discovered witnesses and evidence are, practically, futile so to speak. So, why bother to re-investigate? To give false hope to the aggrieved, Lauro Vizconde? Or this is another trial in publicity?.

I am not a lawyer myself. But I fully understood the contents of the SC decision acquitting Webb and other accused from the crime imputed against them by the hapless Lauro Visconde. In the said decision, the SC ruled that the prosecution has not sufficiently proven the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt as there are inconsistencies in the testimonies of Alfaro, ruling otherwise, giving credence to Webb's alibi that he was in the US when the incident happened, making it impossible for him to be one of the perpetrators. In support thereof, the SC cited the maxim “it is better to acquit ten criminals than to convict one innocent accused”. According to the magistrates, in criminal cases, the word “beyond reasonable doubt” should be construed in verbatim.

I, on the other hand, read the dissenting opinion of Justice Martin S. Villarama in the said case. I was rather convince about his intellectual analysis regarding the possibility of Webb's participation to the crime. According to him, giving the connections and wealth of the Webb family, it is not possible for Hubert Webb to freely leave and enter the country anytime he so desires. There was even a question about the authenticity of Webb's passport because the Bureau of Immigration had no record whatsoever of his arrival and departure from Manila to US on the questioned date and time. Lastly, the date of the video footage that he presented does not appear to be the exact date when the merciless Vizconde killing occurred. Justice Villarama, thus, found no probative value on this evidence at hand.

Which is which now? Does it mean the latest decision of the SC, which is now considered as jurisprudence, in effect, erroneous. If so, how could the people rely and trust an institution whose reputation has obviously been tainted?

While the whole nation had respected and accepted the decision of the SC in the Vizconde case under the presumption of regularity, it seems now that our judiciary is not serious in its mandate to serve fair and equal justice to the people.

At the end of the day, Lauro is still the LOSER in this fight....

Dad's Day

While the entire archipelago is paying tribute to all the fathers in the household, I am here treating the day as rather ordinary. No matter how I try to be a part of the event, I can't actually relate myself from it – by heart.

First off, I am not a father yet. Secondly, I never had the chance to play along with my father. Not an occasion that I had the so-called bonding moment with him. I didn't feel what it is like to have a father at all. When I was a growing kid and went curious to everything, he was not there to entertain my questions. When I had myself circumcised, he was not there to give moral support. When I had a crush for the first time, he was not there to be my confidant. When I was an adolescent and started to explore on adult stuffs, he was not there to explain my limitations. As a result, I learned to be timid. I felt lost. I felt left behind.

Until I reach this age.

Part of me is envious. To the son who plays basketball with his dad. To the son who is being taught how to play guitar by his dad. To the son who is receiving monthly allowance from his dad. To the son who is being scolded because he messed up with the wrong peers. I wonder what it feels like being guided by a father.

Before my mom and dad parted their ways when I was about four years of age, I seldom see my dad at home. At night, he had to go off the shore. While during daytime, he was in the farm. Yes, he was a fisherman and a farmer at the same time. During Martial Law era, Samar was indeed a grueling place to live at. People had to really work hard to survive. The word “pleasure” has no space in everyone’s home. This might be the reason why we ended up to a broken family.

In her attempt to alleviate our status in life, my mom went to Manila and there she contracted marriage to another man. I didn't know if she was worried about us having no father to guide, either she couldn't simply carry the burden of raising us alone or she is still a woman that needs a man to live with. Be that as it may, only one thing was certain, she had put ourselves in jeopardy.

My step-dad never succeeded in his attempt to steal the role of a father to me. That probably explains why he, in turn, gave us a miserable life. He was a drunkard. My mom was a battered wife. He turned evil when he's under the influence of liquor – he respects no one. I will never forget those nights while I was on a deep sleep and suddenly awakened by a loud banging of the door and smashing of the kitchen utensils with simultaneous utterance of unremarkable words. It was consistent that every after drinking spree, he runs amok. We're all conquered by fear. We couldn't do anything as if we had no other alternative except to embrace this fate. True enough that notwithstanding our association to the umbrella of the so-called “poverty”, I did not consider it as my top problem. I could have been happier, despite of this mediocre life, had I granted instead of a happy and complete family.

At this rate, I know it's pointless to narrate further. I do not want to key in every details as these are memories not worthy to preserve for. The saga had long been laid to rest charging all to experience. After all, were it not of the struggles and sufferings, I couldn't have learned being independent.

This is now the 2^nd Season of my life story. This time, I am in control.

I may not have given the opportunity to enjoy the benefit of having a dad, but I still have the chance to prove my worth by being the best dad ever to my soon-to-be child.

Farewell 2010

8:56... ang ingay na sa labas... pero mas lamang ang torotot sa paputok.... indikasyon na naghihirap na talaga ang mga tao... kahit ako hindi ako bumili ng paputok.... pero hindi naman ako ganun naghihirap... nagiging praktikal lang...

3 hours na lang bagong taon na... first time ko icelebrate ang bagong taon sa bahay ko... (hindi bahay ng nanay o ng tatay ko)... sarap ng pakiramdam na totally independent na ko at this age... dalawa lang kami dito ni mahal ngayon (first time din kami mag celebrate ng new year dito)... gusto tallaga namin icelebrate ang new year dito para masabing bahay nga talaga to... isa pa, para maitaboy namin ang kung anumang masamang espiritu meron dito kahit sa tingin ko e wala naman.... isa pa pala, para pumasok din ang swerte samin... sort of blessing na rin kasi hindi ko naman to napa bless sa pari bago namin tirhan...

Gumawa lang kami ng fruit salad na dadalhin rin namin sa ermat ko mamaya pagtapos ng putukan...

Lucky 13

Today's our 13th monthsarry....

Unlike the usual lovers who go out on a date during weekends, exchange texts messages the whole day and chat the whole night, I and Shaine are lucky enough because we see each other everyday and sleep together every night... Sabi nila kadalasan sa mga magkasintahan ay nagkakahiwalay dahil kulang sa panahon sa isa't isa o biktima ng tinatawag na "long-distance relationship"... good thing we are of the exception...

Shaine was only 19 when we decided to live together... di na kami dumaan sa bf-gf stage... we went out on a date for like two to three times and then we decided to share the same room na... As for me, I am due to a married life... At the age of 27, I have a stable job, I owned a small condo unit - only a wife is lacking... The problem is, Shaine is in the opposite... She's not finished with her studies yet, she is jobless, and worse, she's somewhat young... I feel like I deprived her of her dreams...


Shaine's a nice girl... Among my girlfriends, sa kanya ko lang nakita ang hinahanap ko sa isang babae... malambing, maasikaso, mapagmahal, di ako tinatalakan pag may kasalanan ako di tulad ng karaniwang babaeng maybahay... She's submissive... She leave to me all the decision makings... Although sometimes we have misunderstandings, she initiates the "sorry"... kahit ako may kasalanan... she somehow managed to handle my bad attitude of being ma-pride... and by that, ayoko na syang pakawalan...

Siguro sya na nga ang soulmate ko... maraming nagsasabing magkamukha daw kami... pagka ganun daw kasi, yun ang nagkkatuluyan at nagtatagal... I'm not a superstitious myself... but this time, I want to...

We've been together for one year now and I'm happy that our relationship is getting stronger... Though we both desire a baby na, mabuti na rin na wala pa dahil nageenjoy pa kami sa care ng bawat isa... and besides, we are both under obligation to render help to our respective families... if ever, we can't give full attention to our baby as yet...

I know we're on the first step pa lang... marami pang darating sa min na maaring sumubok sa aming relasyon... marami pang mangyayari... Kahit gustuhin ko na sana laging ganito, alam kong hindi pwede... If ever you read this Shaine, I want you to know that I LOVE YOU SO MUCH MAHAL and I want to grow old with you... Happy 13th monthsarry.... Sana bago tayo mag 2nd year anniversary may baby shaine na tayo... :)

HP 7 (Part 1)

Finally, the first installment of the Harry Potter epic finale...

We decided to have it viewed on a Saturday (Nov. 20) to see to it that our minds and body are in good condition in front of the wide screen of imax theatre... I doubted kung talagang excited ang mga kaibigan ko manood ng Harry Potter considering na di naman sila ganun kaadik katulad ko... The idea of watching the movie together might be self-explanatory...

As early as Nov. 18, nagpareserve na kami ng tiket para makapili ng magandang spot... we picked the saturday sked at 8:00 p.m. to accommodate Jo who has to end class at 7 p.m. Ironically, kami pa ni Shaine ang huling dumating sa imax... buti na lang naabutan namin yung logo ng Warner Brothers... sakto pagkaupo as if inantay talaga kami... Maricel and Mike, Jo and Alvin, Nald and Kc and Janet (na walang partner tsk tsk) were seated comfortably when we arrived... For the record, first time ko makasama mahal ko manood ng Harry Potter... So, this one is worth to take note of... :)

The lights were shut off... and the movie commenced... I was surprised that Yexley, a deatheater, who is supposed to be arguing against Snape regarding Harry's escape on the first part of the book, was not introduced... But no problem cuz this did not alter the storyline... Although I had read (fully comprehend) the book, I was still anxious to see the next scenes... Lalo na nung tinamaan ng killing spell si Hedwig... Nalungkot ako ng sobra sa part na to... Apart from Ron and Hermione, Hedwig has no doubt filled the emptiness inside Harry as an orphan for about 6 years... well justified sa book as compared to the movie...

I was also expecting the appearance of Viktor Krum during Bill and Fleur's wedding... Sabi nga ni Wheng (friend kong adik din - if I were Harry, she's Hermione), sayang ang talent fee para kay Krum dahil yun lang naman ang appearance nya sa movie... I agree... Although I understand that in the book, there is a reappearance of Krum in the later part... Anyway, the movie is full of action as expected... When Voldemort managed to get the Elder Wand (one of the Hollows) from Dumbledore's tomb, he raised it up and a huge lightning came out from it... THE END...

Tulad ng marami, nabitin talaga ako... sayang nga lang at hindi na-explain in more details sa movie ang tungkol sa mga horcruxes na hinahanap nila Harry... Ganun din ang mga Hollows at ang relasyon nito kina Dumbledore at Grindelwald.... too bad for the squibs (witches or wizards who do not perform magic like Mr. Filch... in muggle term, they are the people who know of the HP books and yet never read them) who rely solely on the movies...

I respect everyone's preference though... I had long been wanting Shaine to enter the magical world of Harry Potter... Unfortunately, she cannot penetrate the barrier leading to Platform 9 3/4... She tried to wave a wand but the result is as worse as Seamus Finnigan's... Maybe not now.... I will just have to wait for the right time...

Next year (i guess sometime in May) will be the second part.... Nakakalungkot kasi wala na ko aabangan... only one thing is certain, however... My wizard blood will continue to run through my veins forever (di halatang adik...lol)...

DRACO DORMIENS NUNQUAM TITILLANDUS!!!

~Scar goes WI-FI~

Yipeeeee.... I finally got a new phone courtesy of Sun Cellular... Model: Samsung GT-S3653W (corby) Color: Black and White.....

Enough of going to the nearest store to reload and the strenuous typing of keywords to convert to the unlimited as I turn postpaid this time... har har!!... I hope I wouldn't be frustrated as what happened when I was using postpaid via Globe... I was supposed to avail of a new phone from the said telecommunication company (it's like a new contract since I already consummated the previous one)... Unfortunately, Globe only offered me rebate on my bill and a discount to i-phone... Without asking whether it was a joke, I pressed the NO DEAL button, and the conversation ended....

I feel so excited because I have now the privilege of using wi-fi on my new phone... good thing I have wireless net connection at home... I can connect anytime to the internet without going to the mall while sipping coffee at Starbucks....

~Scar's Birthday Bash~

I am supposed to be at work today today but I availed of the privilege of taking a leave of absence on my birthday (a practice in government office)... I turned 28 yesterday... As early as October 6, I had been celebrating my birthday and up to now, I still am under the state of euphoria....

I wasn't expecting our section would give me such kind of birthday celebration... They prepared a small program as if I am a kid celebrating my birthday at Jollibee... What made me ecstatic was that I received a portrait of myself holding a wand (they cut Harry Potter's head and put mine instead) as a birthday present... Of course, they are aware that I am a Potter freak... I don't know if it is fair enough for my 2 months stay in this office... Needless to mention, my former officemates came in and a joyous celebration ensued....

I was also surprised that many people remembered my birthday as they simultaneously sent their greetings through Facebook...

My 28 years of existence is worth it... /smile

~Serendipity~

I did not report for work today. As early as 2:00 a.m., I already had set my mind with this stupid idea. Simply, I knew I will be having another worse Monday with my Boss there nagging at us. I really want to get used to it, but I still can't cope with such a scenario till now. I sense no motivation. why?

Needless to say, I didn’t have enough sleep last night. Shaine and I had conversation which lasted up to, I guess, 3:00 a.m. We’ve been living in for almost 3 months now yet it’s surprising that we still got a lot of things to talk with. So, I daresay it’s worth it to go off-duty today. Besides, I don’t wanna deal with my Boss, not now that I am lacking of sleep. I’m afraid for his life, after all.

I have nothing in my mind now but pure relaxation. Na-miss ko to. After a series of pressures at work, urgent family matters I need to attend to, impending plans – I’m tired of working them out. It’s not bad perhaps to set them aside even just today.

At this very hour, sound trip (senti mode) ako while Shaine is dealing with her laundry. I can’t help but feel grateful that I have her and that makes me too damn lucky. She possesses the qualities of the girl that I want to live with forever. She cares of me the way my Mom does. Fine, thoughtful, understanding; best of all, she knows everything with regard to household chores. At her young age, she’s ripe for the role of a wife.

Detour: E-Heads Ahead

07 MARCH 2009, 11:55 P.M., Saturday

I wonder what song is being played by Eraserheads at this very hour... Kaliwete? Magazine? Minsan? Ang Huling El Bimbo? waaaaaa bad3p naman, I wasn't able to catch the Final Set... Sayang talga... Wala kc kong sponsor ng tiket... Worse, ang mga kasama ko ay wala ring tiket... Worst, wala akong PERA... tskk pulube kaming lahat??? O sobrang kuripot lang cla at ayaw akong ilibre??? --"Mahal ng tiket baka maulit yung dati sayang lang..." "Mapapanood din naman natin sa tv yan, let's be practical, bakit pa tayo bibili ng ganun kamahal na tiket..."

The cheapest ticket is worth P400.00, that is probably 400 meters away from the stage... They assured though that the miniatures of Ely, Raymund, Marcus and Buddy will still be seen from that spot... I can afford only one ticket... The problem is I can't go alone by myself... and that settles it...

As of yesterday, my decision has become final (and executory)...

"I'm not going to the gig..."

So, from Tindahan ni Aleng Nena, I instead went Overdrive and have some Trip to Jerusalem until I reached the Alapaap...

Seamless Na!!!

I'm one of those who mourn to master rapper's demise not only because I sympathize my love Maxene for her grief, neither am I a rapper myself nor I support rap music, but also because Kiko's death is heck a cruel one...

To die from such a ruthless illness is like jumping from a plane unequipped with parachute... walang kalaban-laban... But unlike the latter, a person diagnosed with malignant disease is bound to suffer the complications months or even years before the angel of death comes in... It's kind of unfair... because that person will eventually die... It's only that fate wants to prolong his agony... But nonetheless, who am I to question God's will??

My point is, I am not ready to die the same way Kiko did...

I'm not an advocate of the so-called euthanasia... this is completely a different thing... Nobody can assume that one is going to die because his illness has no cure blah blah... I still believe in miracle, if not, coincidence... So much so that no one has the authority to take away life... Just don't put into oblivion the fact that HE is the Omega...

Miracle may not be apparent in Kiko's case but I'm pretty sure that a message from above is incorporated in his death... I sensed it... I knew it... Unless you don't hear Kiko shouting....