“Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will become Southeast Asia's first leader to meet Barack Obama in the White House when she visits Washington on July 30, the US president's office said Saturday.” That was a White House release, not Malacañang drumbeater Cerge Remonde.
* * *

A political ambassador may edge out a senior US diplomat to succeed Ambassador Kristie Kenney in Manila. The good news is that President Barack Obama backed off when reminded by US foreign service corps of a 30% ceiling on political appointees.
* * *

The meek shall not inherit the earth unless DFA stiffens backbone and invokes the 30:70 ratio on political/career ambassadors – especially one year before the end of this administration.
* * *

Reacting to the Tollway Regulatory Board after the wake-up call by Congressmen Ed Zialcita and Roilo Golez, SLEX will discount the skyway 23.5%. Peanuts! The bottleneck is due to skyway construction from Bicutan to Alabang. When Citra Metro Manila Tollways Corp. chokes ordinary mortals using the expressway below for the benefit of (then gives discounts to) the richer users above, that’s what my driver calls… “below sea level.”
* * *

Surigao del Sur Bishop Nereo Odchimar is the next president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. His 86 out of 98 votes was not counted by Comelec, but by his peers. Former CBCP President Bishop Oscar Cruz said it was a natural for Msgr Odchimar as vice-president to be voted president.

Bishops should have no inhibition visiting Malacañang… if only to hear confessions.
* * *

On the feast of St. Benedict last Sunday, the San Beda College Alumni Foundation led by PLDT/Smart CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan planted 10 kms worth of trees. The target is 32,000 trees on 80 km NLEX to raise R50-million scholarship fund.
* * *

Since MVP studied at Mendiola and Loyola Heights, the jungle will provide a lair for Red Lions and an aerie for Blue Eagles. That includes a string of pit stops - gas pumps and fast foods every so many kilometers.
* * *

ABS-CBN began broadcasting UAAP opening and future games on high-definition TV. If it can broadcast in 3-D, it will be almost like being at the Araneta Coliseum.
* * *

Professor Ruben D F Defeo of UP College of Fine Arts realized his dream to open the UP Heritage Museum housing works by national artists – Napoleon Abueva, Fernando Amorsolo, Benedicto Cabrera, Carlos Francisco, Abdulmari Imao, José Joya, Cesar Legaspi, Vicente Manansala and Guillermo Tolentino – and 32 more outstanding UP alumni artists.
* * *

Sen. Chiz Escudero decries rice-import policy which will cost RP R59 billion in 2009. Oxfam International reports that rice production will fall from between 50% to 70% by 2020. Yet some still find it more profitable to import than to produce.
* * *
Eureka! Brian Quebengco of Inovent Electronics Inc. made the prototype of interactive TV – all Skynet channels plus your internet. The best part is seeing your chat-mates as Disney cartoon characters.
* * *

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the disputed Iranian presidential elections was the world’s “freest” vote. There was no vote-buying; the demonstrations are only over the counting.
* * *

Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) budgeted R14 million for “Spiritual Advent Values Education" (SAVE). Why not just teach the 10 Commandments for free?
* * *

8 heavily armed men took off with an ATM at SLEX Muntinlupa. They will install it elswhere: Deposit Only, No Withdrawal.

Feedback: jaz@mb.com.phtake