Pet Melliza

By Pet Melliza, The Beekeeper Fair and objective reporting, oh, Kara! Lawyer Harry Roque hit the nail on the head in his criticism of the incident investigation report (IIR) of the committee that P-Noy tasked to get to the bottom of the botched hostage rescue at Quirino Grandstand, Manila, the Philippines. The committee, chaired by justice secretary Leila De Lima, recommended among others, charging certain broadcast journalists who "obstructed" government negotiators working for the release of foreign tourists taken hostage August 23 by a former police major distraught by a questionable order of the Ombudsman dismissing him from service with all benefits due him forfeited. The media were only doing their job of informing the public on the unfolding drama that eventually led to the carnage – five Chinese and three Canadian nationals and the hostage taker Rolando Mendoza killed. Roque, director of the Center for International Law (Center Law) based at UP Law Center, bewailed...

The Beekeeper By Pet Melliza Uniform or “anyform” P4,000 is P4,000 and that’s the reason why employees at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol are baffled at the way two officials there are ramming down their throats the exclusive procurement of their uniform for next year. This early, the pair is itching to persuade Iloilo Province’s 2,200 employees to cough up the P4,000 even before the uniform allowance of the same amount is released in January or February next year. Official "A" has its own set of designs from one supplier or tailoring shop in Manila. Official "B" has its own, too, also in Manila but a different contractor. Fellow officials and the rank and file are just baffled because the duo’s technique of hard selling is just too radical, revolutionary even. During the early three straight terms of Gov. Arthur D. Defensor, Sr. 1992 - 2001, employees had the option whether or not to wear uniform. They might spend their P2,000 uniform allow...