2008 JANUARY

AGRARIAN REFORM Alvarez, Ramiro C. Clashing interests. {The Higa-onon farmers are right, but the new owner of the land they are trying to recover will not easily give up the property.} Philippines Free Press 2008 January 12 24

ARROYO, GLORIA M. Quezon, Manuel L., III. I will survive. {Filipinos may not love President Arroyo but they tolerate her. That is why she will finish her term.} Philippines Free Press 2008 January 12 10

BUDGET; PUBLIC WORKS Realigned with the trough. {The House moves public works funds to create more pork. If things don’t go right, there won’t be a new budget.} Philippines Free Press 2008 January 26 14

CONSTITUTION; MINDANAO New tune, same dance. {Malacanang tries to revive the campaign for the revision of the constitution. This time the reason is peace in Mindanao.} Philippines Free Press 2008 January 26 8

ELECTIONS (PRESIDENTIAL) Torre, Ricky S. Staying alive. {To survive, the ruling coalition needs a strong candidate.} Philippines Free Press 2008 January 19 6

EDUCATION; ENGLISH Alvarez, Ramiro C. Der are worser problems. {To solb da Inglis problem, President Arroyo orders training. But da teachers say build many classrooms pirst. En pay us gooder.} Philippines Free Press 2008 January 26 17

ESTRADA, JOSEPH Torre, Ricky S. Preparing for action. {Two years ahead of the next elections, Joseph Estrada stirs up the campaign season with his plan – or is it a threat?–to run for president again.} Philippines Free Press 2008 January 12 6

GLORIETTA Torre, Ricky S. Crime or negligence? {The police concludes its investigation into the Glorietta blast, missing more questions.} Philippines Free Press 2008 January 26 15

JALOSJOS, ROMEO Doing the math. {After a yuletide caper, Romeo Jalosjos is back to doing time-for a little while longer, going by the Justice Department’s computation.} Philippines Free Press 2008 January 12 16

NATIONAL ID Papers, we insist! {All of a sudden, the military revives a proposal for the adoption of a national identification card.} Philippines Free Press 2008 January 19 10

OIL PRICES Token response. {The government must take bolder steps to ease the impact of rising oil prices on the Philippine economy.} Philippines Free Press 2008 January 19 12

OIL TARIFF It’s not enough. {Legislators say cutting the oil tariff won’t go far in bringing down fuel prices. But the Palace rejects more drastic measures.} Philippines Free Press 2008 January 26 22

PALPARAN, JOVITO A face and a name. {The Court of Appeals finds that Jovito Palparan had knowledge of forced disappearances.} Philippines Free Press 2008 January 12 22

PANLILIO, EDDIE This is not your turf, father. {The politicians of Pampanga are working for the recall of the priestly governor of the province.} Philippines Free Press 2008 January 12 14

PIRACY De Jesus, J. Burning desires. {The vast terrain of the World Wide Web is one big free for all-pirates included- but like real life is governed by evolutionary principles: share or be zapped.} Philippines Free Press 2008 January 19 26

PIRACY De Jesus, J. Understanding hook. {Originals cost so much more because consumers are made to pay an entire assembly line of cast and crew that; share the love.} Philippines Free Press 2008 January 12 26

POPULATION Too many people. {The Philippines’ population will top 100 million in six years. That means a social and economic disaster, unless the government acts now.} Philippines Free Press 2008 January 12 18

PRESS FREEDOM Torre, Ricky S. The state against the press. (A new directive by Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales sheds light on the government’s understanding of press freedom.} Philippines Free Press 2008 January 26 6

SANTO NINO DE TONDO Viva, Santo Nino: feast day of Santo Nino de Tondo. Philippines Free Press 2008 January 26 28

SENATORIAL ELECTION Look, ma, no ballots! {The senate electoral tribunal finds 198 empty ballot boxes. Is Aquilino Pimentel III the real 12th winner of last year’s senatorial election?} Philippines Free Press 2008 January 26 12

TAN, LUCIO The Kapitan. {people who really know him speak about the real Lucio Tan.} Philippines Free Press 2008 January 26 24