The favorable verdict issued by the United Nations-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) on the Philippine moral and legal claim to the Spratlys should prod our government to initiate moves to revive our ownership claim over Sabah, now constituted an illegal federal state of Malaysia.
Malaysia’s assertive squatting over Sabah is a clear case of land-grabbing. Partly to blame is the Philippine government’s inaction on our Sabah claim for the Sulu Sultanate.
The UN-backed PCA decision rings a timely reminder for President Duterte start measures he promised to revive our Sabah claim. Hopefully, he includes the issue in his State of the Nation address (SONA) on July 25.
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I have chanced upon a “miracle formula” that may help improve our country’s dismal state of Agriculture. Cebu community newspaper publisher Jimmy Vistar got my attention when he showed me a power point presentation in his loptop on how a bacteria-based fertilizer can miraculously double or even triple production of rice and other crops.
Admittedly, I was “star-struck” by Jimmy’s magical formula, which should be of special interest to hardworking Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, who now explores various possibilities on boosting and insuring our food security and agricultural productivity.
Success in food security may yet make the Duterte-Piñol chemistry surpass the Rafael Salas-Marcos year’s rice production program. I’m sure Piñol, a veteran journalist and an outstanding public servant, considering his passion and determination, will emerge as the most loved cabinet man of President Duterte.
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The Supreme Court’s acquittal of former President, now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is a clear triumph of Justice. She was a victim of political persecution. Having been a member of the Philippine Charity Sweeptakes Office (PCSO) Board of Directors for many years, I suspected all along those plunder charges against her were baseless.
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Malacañang chief legal officer, Secretary Sal Panelo has an inherent duty and responsibility to explain to Filipinos, particularly those residing in the countrysides, the benefits and other implications of the decision of the UN-backed PCA. Sal, who enjoys the goodwill and trust of the provincial press should start addressing the nation through the provincial-based media.
As President Duterte’s spokesman on important legal issues, Secretary Panelo has standing invitation to address various community media organizations which also await more insights on the Freedom of information fiat issued by Malacañang. (Johnny Dayang)