“No constituent assembly at SoNA,” Palace assures. Just a good look at a future prime minister?
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President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s SoNA will be a score card of accomplishments since she first took office up to July, 2009. Even presidents know magbuhat ng sariling bangko. Congress will join in her sayaw sa bangko; but the opposition-dominated Senate want her wrong-footed on tinikling.
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PMS head General Hermogenes Esperon lists among the President’s achievements five national infrastructure projects, 149 regional projects including irrigation, 13,000-kilometer farm-to-market roads, housing, hospitals, and barangay electrification. As of 2007, 39 projects were completed, 26 more by December, and the remainder 67 by the end of her term.
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Completed projects are new or upgraded airports, including Poro International Airport, Silay, and Iloilo; Caticlan Multi Purpose Project; Ports Development Projects (Subic, Batangas, Dingalan); and major highways (R28-billion SCTEX, EDSA rehabilitation, STAR expressway). But the opposition sees only potholes and bumpy roads in Matagtag na Republika.
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French Ambassador Thierry Borja de Mozota celebrated his first Bastille Day in Manila on Tuesday,
July 14th. For bragging rights, he presented his credentials in Malacañang in Filipino.
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The Philippine Madrigal Singers, the only a cappella choir to win the European Cup twice, left to take up their place as UNESCO Artists for Peace. A European embassy charged the 24-member ambassadors of goodwill R94,000 for their visas. No mercy!
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Don’t miss “A Special View of Life” an unusual photo exhibit of life as seen through the lens of persons with disabilities (PWDs). Lensmen Makati Camera Club trained PWDs to do their own shoots in Manila Zoo, revealing their vision of the world unknown to us. Exhibit runs July 17-19, 2009 at Glorietta 4 lobby. Enquiries: Barangay San Lorenzo Persons with Disabilities & Co. (BSL PerDisCo) tel 893-7240.
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Eugenio Vagni of the International Red Cross never thought he’d see light of day during six months captivity by extremist rebels in Sulu. Italian Ambassador Ana Rubens Fedele sighs relief and can now return to a normal diplomatic life.
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Aside from their usual call on the faithful to vote wisely, Catholic Church leaders encourage
principled persons to run for public office in next year’s presidential and national elections.

Including Gov. Ed Panlilio and running priest Fr. Robert Reyes?
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Trade Secretary Peter Favila threatens cancellation of permits of pharmaceuticals that do not abide by government-prescribed price ceiling. Dictating prices is nice populist grandstanding, but can we ask the waves to roll back? Wasn’t generic medicine introduced to make it available to the poor?
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Militant lawmakers Teodoro Casiño (Bayan Muna) and Rafael Mariano (Anakpawis) call for congressional probe into “midnight deal” between the MWSS and SMC to build the Laiban dam for $2 billion for water concession for 25 years. An offer to revive the Wawa reserve, said to be much cheaper and more immediately doable, is not even considered.

Indian conglomerate Tata introduced a people’s car, the "Nano,” a steal at $2,200. Tata also makes luxurious Jaguars.
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Fiat announced $700-million investment in China. Suggested brandname: Marco Polo.
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A golfing buddy of former President Ferdinand Marcos wants to defend himself at Sandiganbayan against charges of $18 million bribe on the Bataan nuclear plant. Henry Disini, no relation to Walt Disney, said the charges are fairy tale.
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Barbie Q. the crowd-drawing mannequin outside KT Barbecue restaurant in Ohio, was permitted to keep her plunging neckline and short-shorts. The only Barbie doll requiring parental guidance.
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“If I had my way, we would have the wedding now,” quote the swain M for the ears of his beloved K. But elections are in 2010, and we need the media mileage, palanga.

Feedback: jaz@mb.com.phcampaign