the Earth-bound adventures of the Lost and Found

March 3, 2006 - Fuente Osmena, Cebu City. When I was actually marching with them around the circle, with their flags waving, and people shouting all sorts of things, as if they were songs they'd memorized in kindergarted, I realized it was my first time to join a rally, I mean this sort of rally where you're actually in the middle of the street and people are taking turns speaking impromptu into the megaphone, raising their voices dramatically. So when I, too, was asked to speak in behalf of ALG (because I was the only representative there), I said no, I know my limits, it's not the sort of thing I can do on the spot. Next time I'll remember to translate any press statements into Cebuano first before I join these rallies =P I felt more comfortable documenting everything instead.

Lawyers say Arroyo not yet off the hook Article posted March 3, 2006, 3:41 pm Despite the lifting of Proclamation 1017 on Friday, 17 law groups under the coalition Alternative Law Groups Inc (ALG) said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is not yet off the hook. “The lifting of Proclamation 1017 does not erase the violations of constitutional rights that were committed in the short period of its implementation. The repression of civil liberties has been done and could be repeated," said lawyer Marlon Manuel, ALG spokesperson. Manuel said to stop Malacaňang’s monopoly of power, the Supreme Court should set the rule by declaring the proclamation unconstitutional so that civil liberties would be protected and abuses of governmental power disallowed. ALG lawyers said their fight against “repressive policies" has to continue and the people must remain vigilant. “Monopoly of power has no place in a democracy. Allowing power-hungry leaders to revive our past could be every Filipino’s...

Due to illegal exercise of Martial Rule 17 Lawyer Groups File Petition at SC to Stop Proclamation 1017   ALTERNATIVE   Law Groups, Inc. (ALG), a coalition of 17 lawyer organizations has filed a petition for certiorari with a prayer for a temporary restraining order at the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of Proclamation 1017 and its application through General Order No. 5.   In the petition, ALG lawyers claim that Proclamation 1017 should be “struck down and declared null and void” because President Arroyo has illegally exercised martial law powers by “resurrecting” the 1973 Martial Law and “mangling” Article II, section 4 of the 1987 Constitution.     ALG lawyers claim that since there has been no declaration of a state of martial law and/or a suspension of the writ of habeas corpus – which could only be granted through an act of Congress within the limits of the Constitution, Proclamation 1017 has not give any extra powers to the President to pr...

this is just the journal entry to complement the photo album of what i did last week, which isn't done yet. have to post photos of pamilacan, which are still in my cam =) and yes, these are the perks of my work. almost makes me not want to leave....   =======================   FEB 20 8pm: FORD annual report finally finished and emailed 1130pm: finish mexican dinner; VST & Co and Jose Mari Chan songs playing alternately in the background   FEB 21 530am: wake up to pack for trip; contemplate bringing mask & snorkel, tripod for bohol; dress rehearsal and borrow heels for Supreme Court hearing 9am: wake up for 11am flight 1015am: arrive at airport, check in, change MLA-CBU ticket to MLA-TAG 1215pm: arrive at Manila Domestic, walk to road to get taxi because of long queue 1pm: arrive at Supreme Court for the hearing on EO 464 (where GMA prohibits anyone in the Executive branch to testify in Congress for whatever reason--including budget hearings--unless she gives...

February 21 to 24, 2006. Had to attend a couple of meetings, and these are the outputs ;-) If you think these look too much fun for a meeting, read the details here .

Start:      Feb 17, '06 8:00a End:      Feb 17, '06 4:00p Location:      Moot Court Room, 8th floor, University of Cebu - Banilad Campus The Alternative Law Groups, through the Children's Legal Bureau and the Juvenile Justice Network, is holding a forum on the newly-passed Juvenile Justice Law. The forum will also include a screening of Ditsi Carolino's award-winning documentary BUNSO, and a sharing by children in conflict with the law (CICL). Please confirm your participation by calling Atty. CAthy Alvarez or Vangie at 2545091 by February 13.

November 23 to 27, 2005. Had a General Assembly with othe legal resource NGOs at Makiling Highlands, one of the resorts in the famed hot springs town of Calamba, Laguna. On Friday night, we had our second solidarity night and shower party for one of our partners. And this is what happened.

Start:      Nov 16, '05 1:00p End:      Nov 16, '05 5:00p Location:      Audio-Visual Room of the Medicine Building of Southwestern University, Villa Aznar, Urgello St., Cebu City On December 20 of this year, Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr. will reach the mandatory retirement age of seventy years old. Davide’s retirement will pave the way for the appointment of his successor, the 21st Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and the appointment of a new associate justice to fill the seat he will vacate in the fifteen-member Supreme Court. In our country where the powers of government are allocated in three distinct branches – executive, legislative, and judiciary – the Chief Justice wields significant influence in settling controversies involving the people’s constitutional rights, and in determining if there has been a grave abuse of discretion or excess of jurisdiction in any of the branches of government. In the interest o...

September 18 and 19, 2005. Had a Basic Orientation Seminar at the University of San Agustin, then a meeting with other cluster members of the Alternative Law Groups in the Visayas. got to do a bit of sightseeing in jaro, videoke and ballroom dancing (this was our meeting break ;-) and eat, eat, eat! didn't bring my own camera so had to borrow a digital one =(